Year: 1875

lJ Is HOW iclb bht1 1iSiS 10 A'.i more consideration for the red handed assassin, than for the rights, lives and general safety of the whole innocent community. The apprehension of murderer does not mean the punishment of crime, but the taxing of the peo- pie q thousand or more dollars to get up a dumb show"

 This is an extract from an edi- torial by Rev. W. c. Stout in the last issue of the Lewisburg State. It is q damaging statement, but it is too true to deny. We have, more than once spoken of this matter ourself. We feel it to be our duty to do so, although we know it is greatly detrimental to our country that such state of affairs should exist. This is a serious matter and there is no use trying to dodge the issue. We must meet. it, and with a voice that shall be heard and felt, demand that justice shall not be put to shame. We are now trying to build up our shattered fortunes and rehabilitate our state. We are inviting immigration and cap italists to our country; but let us say right now, that inst so long as an old citizen of the state, who loves Arkansas and yearns for her prosperity, is forced by the slack enforcement of the laws, or the incompetency of officials, or the corruption of courts--and it is one of these three causes that produces the condition of affairs complained of-to come out with such a declaration as this, we will make no progress.

 No matter how foul the crime, it appears that there are always those who are ready to become apologists for it, and who go to work immediately to manufacture public sympathy for the red-hand- ed murderer. And strange to say, this vicious influence too often seems to be sufficient to secure the acquittal of the most hien- ous offenders. This shows clear. ly that there is not stamina stuff cient in our courts to brave the vicious and corrupted morals of the class, who are ever ready to apologize for crime. We say this is strange, because We believe that those who compose this class are but small proportion of our population. But small as they are, they seem to carry thelr point. The great majority of our people, we believe, are for law and order and justice; but they are unfortu- nately too indifferent in the prem ises. Indeed, they seem to be ac- tually afraid to speak out and de. mand that the courts shall exc. cute the laws against criminals A false delicacy seems to have ta ken hold of them and they sec crime after crime committed and are silent spectators, fearing to demand that just punishment be visited upon criminals lest they should be accused of prejudice against an unfortunate wretch We have no hesitation in saying that all such conduct is discredita ble, foolish, unmanly and curse to our country. We must change public sentiment in this respect We must make public sentiment so strong against crime that there will not be one chance in a hun dred for a criminal to escape pun ishment.

 We appeal to the press of Ar kansas, who are in favor of law, order, and the punishment o crime, to come out and take { bold stand in favor of a strict en forcement of the laws. Until this is secured it is useless to expect that flow of good steady, indus trious people to our country, who are so much needed. Let us heal from the press on this subject.

 

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