The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-08-04

L
turned. We fancy, however, that
the reflections of the irritated jus
tice have not been given tinge of
by this latest develop
mcnt, and that his Interpretation
of the law against concealed weapons
is unchanged. While from strictly |
legal standpoint, the latter may not
hold water, we are inclined to the
opinion that it will gain in favor
with q great many gentlemen who
are under similar judicial response
bilitics; others, perhaps, too, whose
experience, while confined to their
own domestic hearth, has ncvcrthe-
less sometimes led them to the un-
chivalrous conclusion of the justice |
who dolcs out penalties and cXonera-
tons in the state of the mosquito.
a great many men who attempt
to suppress strong drink by consum-
ing more than is good for them,
have often put in the defense that
they were driven to dissipation by
the two-cdged tongue OF some woman
from whom escape was impossible.
Indeed, if we remember correctly,
that was the exact plea in abatc-
ment entered by old Rip Van
Wrinkle; and perhaps it accounted
for the shameless sympathy he re-
| ccivcd from a certain element OF
the masculine gender. In this sense
| it may certainly be claimed with a
decided Justification, that the
tongue feminine is concealed
weapon. History, modern and very
recent, bristlcs with instances in
which bloody and devastating feuds,
even wars, were prccipitatcd by the
thoughtlcss remarks of some
woman, addressed to sensitive or
highly-strung man at the wrong
moment. Such occurrences are
possibly more fragrant than the
class formerly outlined, since they
arc frequently characterized by that
spirit of mere wantonncs which re-
minds us of the action If the cn-
thusiastic creature who tossed her
gauntlet into a den of lions and
dared her lover to recover it. This
instinct for mischief making-an
instinct frequently reckless or ig
norant of conscqucncc-is one OF
the most dangerous attributes OF
certain elements Of the more charm
ing sex. Luckily, it is confined as
a rule to the younger class OF women; ;
caution if not kindness frequently
comes with years.
We could vastly multiply exhibits
of this nature, all going TO show the
llgnant mission. We prefer to
dwell on the other phase, however.
| There is another phase, and it is
overwhelming and compensatory.
For every instance where woman's
tongue has provoked large and
small disaster, there are ten in
which it has worked lasting and
important good. For every tangled
sken it has started, it has I'M
ravcllcd twenty; for every man it
has driven to desperation and worse.
it has redeemed just how many we
hesitate to estimate; for every prin-
clpality, creed or empire it has
crumbled, it has helped to, found
and build score in it's place; where
it has occasionally been vitriol, it
has often been tender and healing
balm; where once from it's stillcto-
point have come anathemas, crush
ing insinuations, small and un-
worthy filings, temptation to vice
and crime, one thousand times it
has uttered blessings, defended as
sailed regulations, coined inspiring
phrases in the humble lingo of
home and heart, and won stricken
men from bascness and law-brcak-
crs from their dark undertakings.
The law of compensation is visi-
bic in this regard as in every other
that touches humanity and it's en-
vironmcnt. We forget the small i'll
in the ovcrshadowing good, criticism
in praise and deep, unspeakablc
gratitude. sunny SouTH.
ANOTHER OPINION ON THE
DiSpfNSARY LAW. |