The Caucasian., 1903-01-22
THE SOUTH CAROLINA TRAG-
EDY.


ing. There was little hope for him and
he died as others from a similar wound.
His 11ndoing was the result OF pistol
shot fred by ]. H. Tillman, lieutenant
governor of South Carolina. From all
accounts the crime was cold b1ooded.
In the plain Interpretation Of law it was
deliberate murder. Tillman has at
tempted to justify himself on the plea
that he had received a threat. When
Tillman met Gonzales he was ready for
the fatal encounter. He had armed
himself with two pistols. His intent,
therefore, in carrying about him con-
cealed two deadly weapons was plain.
I'm refutation of Tillman's excuse for
shooting Gonzales has declared that he
had sent no message of any kind TO
Tillman. There was no reason for send
ing any message to Tillnlan and this
statement made deliberately by the ed
itor who realized that his career OF
usefulness was about TO close forever
on this earth must be accepted. Why
should il be discredited2
About year ago Gonzales had
branded Tillnian a liar and since then
he held Tillman in contempt. He gave
Tillnlan the lie direct from a political
rostrum in the presence OF thousands
of people Till1nan was present and he
heard the denunciation of the fearless
editor. Tillman made no reply and ac-
cepted the lie as a matter of fact. Per-
haps Gonzales sl1oald have been more
discreet and from technical point of
view his calling Iillnan a liar before
a large audience was improper, and #
then and there Tillnlan had resented
the insult and killed Gonzales he would
have been justified but he was mild and
passive No doubt since the day OF this
incident. Tillman had been nursing his
wrath, over this insult which no South
ern gentleman would have accepted. As
Tiilnan did not, then and there. defend
Ills lfOIi5I, =iiC tUHiu ile1t IftlW oiiSi5S 5SttSh
plea ii extenuation Of his crime. In
deed such a plea would damn him the
more Tilllnan has always been blus-
terer and he failed at the critical mo-
nlent to give evidence of his manhood
In considering this deplorable encount-
er let It be borne in mind that the peo-.
pie Of South Carolina, as a class. are
high bred. brave and chivalrous and
have contempt for towards. Tillfnan's
shooting was no doubt the climax Of
his brooding and nursing his silent
wrath which burst upon Gonzales, who
had anticipated no encounter and was
llilarmed From all accounts Gonzales
and Ti1l1nan met by accident Accord
ing to ancient but honorable custom. if
Tillnan had been a cllivalrous man he
would have challenged Gonzales TO
stop, or he would have awaited some
demonstration on the part Of the ed
itor. Asa el1ivalrors man, being armed
with two pistols. and on being inform-
ed BY Gonzales that he was unarmed,
he would have offered him the choice
Of The two weapons and then and there
they could have blazed away at each
Other. but Tillrnan gave Gonzales no
opportunity Of being ready when he
fred the fatal shot. Is it not reasonable
10 presume that when one man expects
deadly encounter with anotfer-one
fearless Of danger and armed that he
will take no risk after the first shot
and will continue to shoot until he has
killed or completely disabled his am
fagonist. It's q brave man who having
fired shot at another will reserve his.
second shot until his antagonist has
returned the fre7
When Tilllnan fred the fatal shot
Gonzales cried out that he was un-
armed and branded Tillinan as cow
ard.
Was there any warrant for this muir
derous assault. except the lie Haunted
ID Tillnans face about year ago?
1iilnan stands high politically, that
Is. he occupies a prominent position in
the public affairs of South Carolina and
lives While Gonzales is dead, and will
be buried and his memory will be en-.
shrined ia the hearts Of his loved ones
and friends And Tillnan will, ii time,
be indicted and may be tried for mur-
der OF manslaughter, and he will be
acquitted BIZ sentimental Jurors. as
there are in Louisiana. He may have
been justified the jury may 50 declare
i. but While he may be avindieafedv in,
sessS., d murder. he will carry with,
him 70 The end of lifeeven after his.
body shall have rnouldered into dust
si,e stigma Of Gonzales who branded
hun as liar IN the presence Of large
audience Of the people Of South Caro-
lima. Pity il IS that TIllnan shot the