The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-09-12
THg nPlsroL.rorERn AGAIN

IL 10 ~ : SSAiN.
The news columns of The Gate City
Sunday morning contained the follow.
ing paragraph:
Two negroes rushing out into Main
street from the colored rendezvous
at 18th and Main streets. The flash
OF d revolver in the dark and the rap
ID report OF three bullets. This was
last nights murder, when Henry Rose
shot and killed Charles Outright
VINO died few moments after being
shot, Rose was arrested on the spot,
anu claims self-defense.
Here we have the '.pistoLtoterr
again-and the usual result. One
man is dead and another is in prison
charged with having murdered him.
In the last analysis the crime was
due 10 the fact that Rose had on his
person revolver which he did not
hesitate 10 use with fatal effect. What
excuse has he to offer for having
such deadly weapon in his posses
sion, ready for instant use? Orderly.
peace-loving, well-disposed, law-abid-
ing citizens do not need TO go armed
to protect either themselves or their
property. The constitution and the
laws afford every needed safeguard.
Back OF their written guaranty are
the peace offcers-the police force.
the constables, the sheriff and his dep
uties, and back of these, if need be,
the National Guard of the state and
every able-bodied citizen OF military
age. Experience has amply demon
strated that these nsrumentalities
assure to every man the right TO
life, liberty and the pursuit OF hap
piness.n
When Rose armed himself with
revolver on Saturday evening he not
only contemptuously repudiated the
protection guaranteed him by law, but
ne directly and premeditatedly viola
ted that section OF the law which pro-
libits carrying concealed weapons. AS
The outcome of his contempt for and
OF law he shot a fellow
being TO death and stands charged
with murder, and now he turns around
md proposes to appeal to that same
aw TO save his neck from the halter
by pleading under its provisions that
ne acted in self-defense. So long as
re did not need the active iaterven-
ion OF the law In his own behalf he
Tilfuliy disregarded it and deliberate
: defed it, without regard 10 the
lights of others. but now that punish
nent for his crime stares him in the
ace he makes ali haste to seek its
protection. SEn alteration should
De given TO Il self-defense
lnder such CO. e Rose had
lot spurned tho 4e first place
y carrying deg11 Jon he would
lot now stand in such urgent need of
he protection Of the law.
The accused distinctly preiudfced
lis case in the minds of all right
linking people when he armed him
elf preparatory TO engaging in
gambling game. He must have expect
d TO find use for the revolver when
le put It in MS pocket In this day
nd community, no more than in any
,ther day or community, men do not
AIRY reyolvers for ornament. If
hey carry them at all they are pre-
.umed TO carry them for use. This
resumption holds IN Roses case,
md il is not likely TO he overlooked
y the jury that tries him for his life.
The fact that he had revolver so
.onveniently At hand directly bellies
ny claims that may be set up in his
lehalf that he was peaceably disposed
nd is entitled to the sympathy Of
he community in the dire straits in
Which he finds himself.
Meanwhile and all the time. the
ituation il which Rose finds himself
honld be varning to other pistol I
oters Il they are wise they wiz
.bandon the pernicious practice at
nee There IS absolutely no excuse
q anyone. except te he a peace of
lceT earring q concealed Weapon. It
: certainly NOT ornamental posses
ion Il Il IS contrary 10 law, and the
lse = z-aich i Is most likely to be put
: prohibited alike by the laws Of God
ri nan Let pistol-toters" every
vheEe beware