The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-12-26
CAN IF BE sroPPEp,

an affair which left four dead men al- most within touch of each other.
 And what was it all about9 If no serious results had followed the fight we might be disposed to smile at the absurdity of the thing. One account merely states that the difficulty be- gan lover a trivial matter" but am other and more definite statement was to the effect that one of the Moores fired of cannon cracker on the street; that Policeman Walters mild ly remonstrated with him, and then Moore drew his pistol and began fr- ing. Young Smith and the other Moore joined in the fusilade and in minute or two there were four dead bodies on the gory field.
 As we have said. the beginning of the trouble was absolutely ridiculous. but the end was gruesome enough. Sometimes 1t is hardly to be wondered at, when we consider mans human nature. that they fall out and fight. There are occasions when one can al- most condone the killing of one man by another. for men commit great wrongs towards each other and are not willing to practice the turn the other cheek" when they think they have been wronged. Instead of first endeavoring to settle their difference amicabiy. as almost all differences could be settled, they fight first and explain afterwards.
 But while there may sometimes be a difiiculty which causes little. sur prise, we can hardly realize the spirit which aetuates men to Kin each oth- CT over such a trifling matter as that at ocilla was The man Moore evil dently violated an ordinance by firing the cannon cracker in q public place. The rsmonstrance of the officer was very mild. according to accounts. and Moore should have felt grateful for the forbearance instead of taking of- fence and committing murder We suppose If he had not also fallen a victim he would have pleaded in ex- cuse that the officer had insulted him and that his honor demanded that he should resent 1t by drawing and shooting. Eagerness to consider one- self insuited when no insult was in- tended. and readiness to heal wound ed honor" is responsible for a multi tude of crimes.
 And the handy pistol must be held responsible for most of the violent deaths which are the results of per sonal quarrels; quarreIs which in most eases should not end in a per- sonal encounter. The habit of indis- criminate pistol-toting is wholly with out excuse or defence. There may be rare occasions when self-protection justifes going armed but no such ex- cuse can be made for the many who carry pistols. It is a dangerous and vicious habit, generally without palli- ation. and is responsible for very many deaths, many filled graves, many widows and orphans, and not infrequently is followed by years of bitter regret and of repentance that comes too late to beneht the victims of violence.
 And the case we have been discuss | ing, though unusual in some of it's features. and more than usually dis creditable. is but one of the many that are continually being reported from all sections of the country. We seem to be fast reaching an era of lawless- ness and disorder which Is not only regretable but which threatens the very foundations of good government. Disregard for human life carries with 1t disregard for human and divine laws, and 1t almost looks as if we are returning to the savagery of our re- mote ancestors. when the strongest and most hcartless ruled the weak and humane; only. instead of depend ing on brute strength the lawless el- ement now relies on powder and bull let. People shoot, stab and kill each other as If all humanity had departed and only the animal prevailed.
 Is there no remedy for this condi- ton of our social lIfe2 A condition that Is not only a travesty on our boasted civilization but Is a menace to human safety. We have laws all most without limitation on our stat ute books; We have sermons and es- says and lesson on the sanctlty of hu- man life, the beauties of humanity and the great need of obedience to the laws of the land. but all seem impo- tent to a degree that can only be characterized as alarming. The teach ings and the example of the good men and women of the country should be an inspiration to others to at least observe and respect the laws and have due regard for the rights and the persons of others
 And yet the killings and woundings go on. not only without cessation but with constantly increasing frequency. Any one who cares to keep up with ! passing events has only to look over