Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-02-21
"Our Present Diseontents.'


unrest, We dc not know positively; but
we have an idea that it comes about
through the fact that more people are
thinking. Formerly most Of the think
ing was done by few, and other peo-
pie did as these few thought. But now
days more people are undertaking to
think for themselves. and they are find
ing many things that they consider out
of joint. Since 1t is easier, however, to
discover defects than it Is to correct
them, and the masses who are doing
all this thinking have not yet had time
to get their bearings, it Is probable that
1t will be some time before there Is a
general readjustment. Our own view OF
the whole situation Is that above all
else 1t is time for people to turn their
thoughts to common justice and insist
on strict and impartial enforcement of
the laws. If the laws Of the land were
properly observed, there would be no
place for dissatisfaction or unrest"
Whether or not one agrees with the
analysis which The Enquirer makes of
conditions in South Carolina, its theory
of why the times are out Of joint is an
interesting one, and at all events the
conclusion which it reaches Is sound
come down at the last to a question OF
law enforcement. IF the laws Of the
land were properly observed, there
would be no place for dissatisfaction or
unrest" Who will deny 1t. Yet how
is the condition to be remedied when
officers of the law go into office bound
hand and foot to vicious elements to
whom, by implication at least, they
have virtually promised immunity In
return for their political support? BY
what means may spirit of respect for
law and obedience to law be built up
while convictions are being set aside
by the hundred and fragrant violations
Of the law are winked at by those In
authority? The Enquirer is right when
1t says that "above all else 1t Is time
for people to turn their thoughts to
common justice; :" but how is justice
to be done when the instruments
through which 1t works refuse to do its
bidding?-News and Courier.
We were really not looking for
consideration Of our remarks above in
South Carolina newspaper; but at
the same time 1t gives US pleasure to
say that we are less surprised at that
consideration coming from the News
and Courier than from any other paper
that We have in mind at this time. But
even the News and Courier does not
seem to have fully appreciated the real
point at which we were driving; be-
cause its mind seems to be taken up
more with symptoms than remedies.
If existing conditions are as we have
described, and we have no doubt Of 1t,
then they have been brought about as
the result of our own shortcomings
the shortcomings Of the people, or rath-
er the leaders, or would-be leaders Of
the people. And if there Is anything
to correct, that correction can be ef-
fected only by getting right.
If 1t is a fact that officers Of the
law go into office bound hand and foot
to vicious elements to whom by impli-
cation at least, they have virtually
promised immunity for their political
support" this condition could have only
had it's origin in previous dishonesty
somewhere-by the betrayal Of trusts
by those in authority, and the acquies-
ence in such betrayal by cowardly peo-
pie who knew of 1t at the time.
If there is to be any improvement in
the situation 1t is only to come through
men and women who know the truth
standing up for the truth and if there
are not enough men and women who
know the truth and who will stand up
for it there will be no correction.
It is quite a common thing to blame
our shortcomings on the other fellow;
but the other fellow is not responsible
for them. He may have his own short
comings, but we can best correct them,
or minimize their evil effects by get
ting right ourselves.
That the press Of South Carolina can
do much to correct existing evils, we
do not doubt; but if so large part of
it must change its tactics. 1t must
recognize the fact that the truth, the
eternal truth Is mighty and will pre-
vail, and must get out of the idea that
an untrue assertion Of alleged fact can
by any means serve the purpose of
a real fact.
With reference to our courts, while
two wrongs do not make right new
ertheless there, as nowhere else, fla
grant wrong becomes the parent Of a
whole brood of wrongs. No fairly in
telligent man is going to find fault with
a court of justice merely because it de-
livers a mandate that does not strike
him as right. But when such man
makes full investigation and becomes
convinced that a genuine outrage has
been deliberately perpetrated under
forms of law, his faith in mankind sus-
tains a severe shock to say the least of
1t.
We do not assume that the News and
Courier seeks to take us in its last
question beyond the primary courts;
but it's question is certainly pertinent
there. But how is justice to be done
when the instruments through which it
works refuse to do it's bidding?" The
question is one for those who are real
ly interested in better things to ponder
over.