The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1916-05-05
NASHVILLE TRAGEDY.

than the Killing Oh HARRY otohes ny
Charles C. Trabue in Nashville, on
Wednesday. Killings, the taking of
human life, are very, very seldom JUS
tifable. In the view of The Herald,
which holds human life more sacred
than the majority of Tennesseans, not
more than one homicide in a hundred
is really to be justified More than
this number, of course, have mitigat-
ing and extenuating circumstances.
Our failure to enforce the law against
murder is of course due to this lack
of sentiment in behalf of the sacred
ness of human life; just as it in turn
tends to encourage the commission of
the crime.
That Mr.. Trabue had been goaded,
probably insulted by Mr.. Stokes, who
unfortunately did not always conduct
himself in the trial of lawsuits accord
ing to the highest ethics of the profess
sion, is doubtless true. Had the kill
ing occurred during one of these alter
cations there would have been more
to extenuate and perhaps justify it.
In view of the strained relations exist
ing and that had existed for some
time between the principals to the
tragedy, Mr.. Trabue's visit armed
with deadly weapon, to the private
office of his adversary, and the STAY
ing of Stokes almost Immediately
thereafter, almost inevitably leads to
the conclusion that Mr.. Trabue was
looking for trouble.
The fact that Mr.. Trabue was one
OF the most prominent members of his
profession; loved by practically all the
lawyers of the city; of agreeable man
ner and lovable disposition; moving in
the highest social, business and pro-
fessional circles, with brilliant fu.
ture and a fine home life, makes the
tragedy all the more deplorable and
forces sympathy for his family, al
though one can have none for the
deed that he did. These very facts,
however, one would think would have
deferred him from settling his trou-
bles with another lawyer by the prim-
tive and barbarous method of past
ages. 1t shows after all how thin
sometimes is the vaneer Of civilization
If there is any class upon whom
rests more heavily than all others the
responsibility to observe and obey the
law, to at all times invoke the law
for the settlement of all issues, the
righting of all wrong, 1t is the legal
profession. II, in emergencies, like
that at Nashville, the law is to break
down, and the members of the legal
profession are to become the avengers
of their own wrongs, what are we to
say of the countless others upon whom
this high and weighty responsibility
does not rest? The members Of the
legal profession tell us that the law
provides a remedy for every private
wrong; that civilization has long ago
progressed beyond the law of private
vengeance, hence it is encumbent
upon them, above others, being arms
of the law, officers OF our judiciary
erected for the sole purpose of protect
ing life and property and righting
wrong, to set an example that others
may emulate.
Failure to fully recognize and appre-
ciate this responsibility has resulted in
an awful tragedy Two homes are
thrown into grief and woe unutterable.
One brilliant young man has gone to a
premature grave, another is suffering
anguish inexpressible. If only our
people could get away from the mad
delusion that the taking of human life
makes easier the burden Of the ag-
grieyed in personal controversies!
While The Herald did not admire
Mr.. Stokes manner of conducting his
lawsuits, it did not approve his over
bearing and what many lawyers term
"bulldozing' tactics, it is not to be
denied that in the Nashville probe he
performed great service, he wrought
for better government.
The city, the state, good government
are distinctly the gamers by reason
Of the fight that he made. 1t was a
fight that required too, great courage .
and fidelity and in neither did he lack.
1t was not a pleasant work; it was
beset with danger, but he never once ;
shirked. He was ready at all times
to do his part to develop the crooked
ness and treachery Of trusted public