Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1903-01-21
wALHALLA, 8. G. .
WEDNESDAY,. Jan. al. geos.
TRAGIC DEATH OF EDITOR GONZALES.

The death of Mr.. N. G.. Gonzales,
Editor Of The State, on Monday last, as
aresult of the pistol shot fired by James
ii. Tillman, Lieutenant Governor, has
sent thrill of horror, not only through
out Oar own Commonwealth, but
throughout the whole country. The
shameful cowardice of the act is astound-
ing. Even among ruffians and cutthroats,
who infest districts remote from civiliza-
tion, foul assassination is contemned. But
as If disgrace enough had not yet been
heaped upon South Carolina by this
bastard in high public place, he had to
cap the climax by writing the seal of his
infamy in the,.life-blood, of ,the most
brilliant and versatile editor in tho State
on the very portals of the capitol, as the
last act of an infamous official tenure.
1t may be that at times Editor Con
zales was over.zealous in exposing the
criminal record of "Jim" Tillman as the
highest officer, save one, in the State, and
yet who can deny the truthfulness of tho
charges laid at his door {? When a man
offers himself for public Office his charac-
tor and personal fitness for the place
constitute proper, yea even, a necessary
subject of inquiry.
Public Office is public trust and this
trust should be administered by men Of
clean lives. A healthy public sentiment
should demand this much at least. For
the creation of such sentiment Mr..
Gonzales ever welded pen of trenchant
n, L
politio to say some things in the way and
manner he did, but of the rugged hon
esty and pure conscience of = the writer
there could be doubt. The conflict was
irrepressible. And when the sinuous
conduct and impure life of Jim Tillman
became matter of grave consideration
for every patriotic South Caroliniap,
then it was, and not until then, that the
search-light was turned on, and the dark
spots revealed. None save tho venal
should vince. Such exposure is never n
pleasant task. Sometimes it weighs on
the heart of an honest editor so heavily
that the weighty duty must be performed
fearlessly. however disastrous the conse-
quences to himself personally. Such a
crisis is a testing time of constancy and
fortitude. All honor to him who, then,
with brave heart and true, places the
public over and above his personal veal.
No other lights are worthy to be kept
burning on the altar of liberty
The only alternative would be the
qualing of venal press before a venal
official, the dashing to pieces of the pal
ladium Of liberty. May the Gay never
como in the history of South Carolina
journalism when the pen shall halt in the
hand of an honest editor for fear of the
pocket pistol 1t may be theme of
high debate whether the pen is mightier
than the sword when both are drawn in
defense of liberty, right, truth and JUS
tice. But shall the pen be muzzled by
the pistol Then cease civic virtue and
let us take up our abode among anar-
chists, libertnes, gamblers, cutthroats,
thugs and murderers. Shut up our
court houses. law is only stupendous,
criminal farce; burn our printing offices,
the press is only a sham and pretence. a
deadly Upas, striking its poisonous fangs
into the very heart of the body politic
No, we have not yet fallen into this low
estate. There is still some verility.
Editor Gonzales has not died in vain.
His life has been sacrifice to fidelity
and high endeavor. He shall live on and
on, Notwithstanding the "deep damnation
of his taking off," Cut down in the fear
less discharge of duty, true to himself,
his God and his country his name will
be emblazoned as the synonym of heroic
fortitude worthy of the emulation of a
virile press for all time. He 10 not dead.
He cannot die. For his sudden taking
off we mourn; thousands of his country
mon do likewise; but his sacrifice was
not in vain; his memory is precious
heritage.