The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-07-24
Carrying Concealed Weapons.

Nearly a quarter OF a century ago,
the death of distinguished citizen of
this State on the field of honor" !"
generated sentiment, which soon
crystalized into strong demand which
swept over our State from the noun
tains to the seaboard that the practice
of dueling should cease forever. So
strong was this demnd that the legis-
lature enacted the anti-dueling law,
and no person can hold any Office in
this State until he subscribes to the
oath tht he has not fought, aided, or
abetted in any duel since the law went
into affect. This law is complete
success, for the object for which it
was created, because it has the force of
the people behind it. 1t has never
been violated that know of. Yet
dueling has its advantages over some
of the modern ways Of settling differ
ences, because in dueling, everything
is supposed TO be conducted in fair
and impartial manner to the princi-
pals. IF one falls, it proves that the
other was the most accurate shot, and
what is settled there, is settled forev-
er, as it was fair and equal to both
sides. OF late years, the practice of
carrying concealed deadly weapons,
has become quite a habit among the
young men of our State of both races.
The old men don't carry weapons. It
would be hard to find a Confederate
soldier with a concealed weapon on.
What then is the cause of this custom
in our Christian civilized land? Is it
cowardice? No for lots who carry them
sprang from men who are no towards.
Are not the laws of our country amply
sufficient for the protection of Us all?
would think so. Is it a going back
to the dark ages, when men went
armed. I would not think so, for the
young men who carry them are highly
developed in their education and social
habits. What then is the cause of it?
Is it not spirit of lawlessness that
has developed in our land from the
mountains to the Rio Grande and not
confined to any special class?
It seems that those who carry con-
cealed weapons, do so for protection,
or in anticiption of some fray that on
the least provocation they are ready
to start, and often ends in death to one
or two. The newspapers weekly, bring
accounts of homicides in our land,
which in large number of cases could
have been avoided and valuable lives
saved if it had not been for the too
ready pistol, which has brought untold
trouble, for life to innocent people.
People go armed in our courts, for no
good. The legislature has tried to
stop the evil, but the laws on the sub
ject in the main, are dead.letters. Ev-
cry now and then, some poor violator
is punished, but those who so persist
emily disregard the law are never mo-
Tested. What has the newspapers, the
great expose and, corrector Of evils,
done to stop the carrying of deadly
weapons? Nothing that can see.
What has the ministry as whole done
to abolish the evil? Nothing that I
am aware of. What have the good and
law abiding citizens done to abolish
it? Nothing. So the carrying of
deadly weapons will go on, placing the
law-abiding citizens at the mercy of
those who 60 armed. This pernicious
custom should cease, even if the most
drastic measures are used to accom-
plish it. Let the good people unite
and put stop to it, even if it be nee
essary to make those who carry deadly
weapons lose their citizenship, as we'll
as other severe punishment. Better
that than to have so much killing in
our land. United action on the part
of our people can accomplish the end
desired. Of course, Mr.. Editor, all
young men do not go armed. Lots Of
them would not think of such thing.
The evil is here and it has got to be
abolished in some way, or our land
will rival Kentucky as dark and
bloody ground. Jas. E. DuPre.