Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1920-12-15

Editor Keowee Courier:
1t is hoped that the above head
lines will be sufficiently attractive to
at least gain the attention Of the
reading public. The Importance OF
it will appear as the reader proceeds.
TN is, however. not to be taken
as symbol Of the sentiment that the
teeth, in common parIancc. should
be taken out OF the law, but rather
add to and strengthen, If possible.
Even the fierccst animal would be
well nigh harmless, in il contest, had
he no teeth. The hideousneSs OF the
thought is itself Il deterrent With
all or the means and the thousands
OF money spent, still the opinion is
more and more and more prevalent
that we are as Il people getting
worse. II that be the ease, we should
about-faco and seek some other rem
edy in addition to what we have been
doing.
Aside from that perfect law, all Of
ouR law is the sum Of the best Of hu-
man experience. The law Of the land
Is the capitalization Of public opin-
ion, and If observed Cor enforced) il
can only be by public opinion. With
in your experience you have seen
Juries acquit because of their own
sentiments, and that of the commu-
nifty, against the plainly expressed
law and evidence. Within the men,
ory OF man the violation Of certain
laws has been publicly and privately
advocated. However much we may
regret and deplOre such baneful in
f1uence, 1t Is a historic fact. Our
statute and judicial law Is our high
est standard Of all that is good in
prescribed regulations. Hence there
Is no moral law known in govern
mental affairs save that which Is Cor
ought to be) observed by our courts.
1t Is deplOrable that the action Of our
courts is often so little respected,
and sometimes opposed. Both are
breeders Of disrespect for the law
and result in lawlessness. and should
be always condemned, and are by
the good citizen.
The remedy against the wave Of
crime Is what we all wan, It is sug-
gcsted that an advocate in the courts
Of the rights Of the accused would
bring relief. Possibly SO, to some
extent. But under tho high moral
plane upon which our courts have
placed the duties OF solicitor. he is
as much the advocate Of the rights
Of the accused before tho courts and
juries as he is that Of the State or
the public. 1t Is beyond controversy
that there are glaring instances Of
the failure Of justice, and it Is gen
orally to be attributed TO faulty
public opinion. not to the courts or
tho law.
We cannot endorse the sentiment
or criticism OF some that our courts
are mocking the principles Of justice
by light sentences. How does it
strike you, dear reader, to hear one
Of the advocates Of the wonderful
doctrine Of grace clamoring for more
severity Of punishment? There are
many who believe that the severity
OF punishment does not reform, but
hardens and makes brutal. The few
Instances where paroles have been
troitcn by one who has been judi
cially adjudged guilty Justify this
opinion, in fact II is loss to society
to have a convict The convictS arc
liabilities on the public. and not an
asset. 1t Is gain to society to make
loyal citizen. BY giving him a
chance you give him a different ana
higher ideal in life when you show
.--------------