The Washington times., 1903-10-15
The ACQuittal of Tillman.
South Carolina Placed on Record Before
the World


news comes not altogether as a sur
prise, since the reports of the trial
and the expressions of popular feel
ing in South Carolina have made it
evident that public sentiment in that
State was with the murderer. But it
nevertheless causes a feeling of sor-
rcwful amazement in the thoughtful
Observer. that in any part of this
country a proved murderer should
lave been allowed to go scot-free, APP
rarently to establish beyond question
the right of any man to shoot down
another who makes statements dis
pleasing to him.
Were it not for this larger implica-
ton, and the position which the cul-
prit occupied in State politics, this
case would remain one of the many
Instances of perversion of justice to
suit the demands of popular sympa-
thy Such instances have occurred in
all times and countries, and they are
always mischievous preeedents. But
in this case principle happens TO be
involved.
1t was proved beyond question that
Gonzales was not armed, and that he
did not expect an attack; the plea Of
self-defense, most convenient loop
hole of the bully, would have beer
simply absurd. Tillman's lawyers
were obliged to fall back upon a po-
sition so novel, so audacious in It's
disregard of law and order, that it
could not fail to attract the attention
Of the entire legal world. They
averred that bitter personal attack by
word or pen is reason enough for
shooting the detractor, and they have
now proved that, in South Carolina,
to SANDER an honest man or tell the
truth about a rogue may alike be
punished with death. Hereafter no
newspaper editor or politician in that
State dare print the truth about a
corrupt State official unless he is rea-
sonably certain that he can shoot first.
Even then. it has not been demon
strated that jury would acquit him
for Staying his victim; but when
somebody has made the experiment,
and it has been settled that in South
Carolina il is equally proper to SIAN
DER a man and then kill him, or kill
him because of having been slandered
BY him, then the Arcadian age of per-
sonal liberty in South Carolina Will
begin. 1t viii be pistols and politics
in the Palmetto State after this.
What happy and prosperous con-
dition of things it will be. when any
corrupt official may loot and cheat
and bride to his hearts content by
dint of little pistol practice! How
comfortable it will be 10 tell the truth.
for conscience sake, when the sensi-
tive feelings of some ruffian in the
next street may be so wounded that
he will give notice of being ready to
shoot down the truth-teller in his
tracks at their next meeting, and
carry out the threat with impunity
What JOY will I'll the hearts of tbs
wives and daughters of public men al
the thought that their loved ones NAV
either kill or be killed without any
body being hanged for it! And how
great will be the pride Of South Car
DINA in the reflection that, while other
States find libel laws sufficient protec-
ton for respectable citizens against
uDfounded attacks in print, her re-
spectacle citizen Is entitled to carry z
revolver and go cunning for human
game, without even a closed season
when be likes
A great deal has been said about
the sensitive honor and strong pas
siOns of the South Carolina man
But there is such a thing as goine
about with a chip on ones shoulder
and It is no credit TO that State tha
she seems inclined to legalize the chip