The ledger. [volume] (Gaffney City, S.C.) 1896-1907, December 18, 1905, Image 2
I
THE LEDGER.
Tuesday and Friday,
r d. H. DeCamp, Editor and Publisher,
A. W. Griffith. Local Editor.
OBSERVE THE LAW.
Our community, the State, the
whole civilized world has been
profoundly shocked by a fearful
tragedy enacted within our
gates. Human blood has again
been spilt. Every man accused
of murder is entitled to a fair
and impartial trial by a jury of
fair-minded men, unbiased by
prejudice. It may not be prop
er to call names, or-pass judg
ment upon the party whose hand
has been dipped in the blood of
two of his fellow men. Under
the .impulse of emotions that
have been aroused by the deed,
we may not be without bias.
We leave it to the courts to pro
nounce judgment.
Over our town there hangs a
gloom of appalling darkness.
Every human heart feels keen,
ly the shock, and deplores the
untimely act. The report has
gone out through every channel
of news to every part of the
world. People in other states
than ours will (point to heavy
headlines announcing a double
homicide in Gaffney. They may
read no further. They may not
be interested in finding out the
Cause of the tragedy. They maj
not keep up with subsequent
events to ascertain whether or
not there was a justifiable ex
cuse for the homicide, or wheth
er there were any circumstances
to be shown in mitigation of
this most unfortunate affair.
As the world has it, a company
of actors came to Gaffney, in
pursuit of their occupation, and
to give entertainment to her
people. During their stay they
were offered the hospitality and
protection of a public inn. A
lady, a member of the company,
was insulted by one of the pro
prietors—or at least by a brother
of the proprietors. She appeal
ed for protection to the male
members of the company. They
attempted to administer a se
vere rebuke, if not chastisement,
to the offender. The ever pres
ent and ever ready pistol was
drawn, and in the twinkling of
an eye, the two defenders of
woman’s virtue lay dying with
mortal wounds. They will say,
“Another crime has been com
mitted in South Carolina,” and
on Gaffney will peculiarly be
placed the odium of lawlessness
and crime. / v
As a matter of public concern,
we cannot be indifferent to the
shame that rests upon us. It is
not enough that we shift the re
sponsibility to the courts to con
vict or acquit. Our duty does
not end here, nor does our re-1
sponsibility cease when the sen
tence has been passed, or when
the sentence of the law shall
have been fully executed. The 1
majesty of the law may have
been vindicated when this is!
done, but the stain of human
blood has not been washed away,'
nor has the town, or the com
munity, been exonerated from
permitting to remain the condi
tion of society which makes j
crime a probability if not a ne
cessity. J here is something
wrong somewhere. Whether
that wrong lie in the individual
heart unnurtured, unfostered
by social and moral surround
ings, or whether it lie in the
environment of the offender,
may be more than the facts in
one particular case may reveal.
That something is wrong some
where, no sane mind can doubt.
It may be in the laxity with
which courts and juries deal
with offenses against human
life and the peace and dignity
of the State. It may partly
rest with the assembly who
make the laws which should in
sure the protection of life and
property. It may lie partly in
the social and moral atmos
phere that we breathe, and from
which the germs of disease
mental, and moral, find an en
trance into the human soul. Be
this as it may, every commu
nity in which crime is commit
ted is guilty both as accessory
before and after the fact—an
accessory before the fact in pro
portion to the lack of effort to
enforce law, prevent the com
mission of crime, or insure do
mestic tranquility—an asses
sor)- after the fact in proportion
to the failure to bring criminals
to justice-, and to punish those
who openly and defiantly violate
the law.
The expurgation of the first
offense is possible only in a de
termined effort henceforth to
enact wise and salutary laws;
to inculcate in every heart res
pect for law and the right of
others; to diminish the oppor
tunities to do wrong ; to increase
the opportunities to do right.
With the moral nature legisla
tion can do little, but by prompt,
diligent and accurate enforce
ment of law, aided by a general
and healthy sentiment against
wrong doing of every kind, a
restraining hand will bo laid
upon all who in the wickedness
of their inner nature seek to do
acts of violence. The excuse
for carrying a deadly weapon,
the excuse for its ready and fa
tal use upon a plea of self de
fense should be subjected to the
closest scrutiny. Why a person
who does not apprehend danger
from others, and who does not
purpose to invite danger to him
self should carry a deadly
weapon is incomprehensible.
Either the condition of society
is such that a man unarmed is
not safe, or he expects to place
himself in such position that
underjnormal condition he is not
secure. It is said that the pis
tol was made to take human
life with. It is not a suitable
weapon for other purposes. The
man who constantly carries a
pistol on his person expects
%
either that some one -vVill at
tempt his life, or that he will
himself shed human blood.
Either view of the situation is
horrible. Why should the ne
cessity of defending one’s life
or taking the life of another
arise?
The record of crime in this
State is heavy. We cannot rest
in comfort under the obloquy
thus placed upon us. A com-
munity'may join in condemning
crime. Universal sympathy
may be extended to those who
suffer, but our propitiation is
not complete until all the active
energies of mind and body have
been brought to bear upon the
condition that makes crime a pos
sibility, or even a necessity. It
may^not be possible to eradicate
the stain of crime once fixed upon
us ; to repair the injuries already
done; to tear from the pages of
history the accounts of offenses
committed within our borders ;
to restore to sorrowful homes
the loved ones taken away by
an untimely death; but the
breaches through which these
evils come may be repaired;
the walls may be strengthened ;
more effective safeguards may
be thrown around human life
and] human virtue ; the socia-
and moral atmosphere may be
purified. Crime may be, and
must be reduced to a minimum,
or the shame is ever with us.
If human life is not safe here,
let us make it safe.
Kecltul Postponed.
The recital that was to have
been given in the Star Theater
tonight by Rev. Mr. Memmin-
gsr, of the Episcopal church,
has been postponed until about
the middle of January.
WAGONS AND BUGGIES,
Harness and Saddles,
Turn Plows,
Middle Breakers,
Cook Stoves,
CHRIST MAS
? ♦ *
Is Almost Here.
I want you to come to my
store to get what you need.
I have everything that peo
ple wish at my big store.
Come and look at my goods
even if you don’t buy. : :
All sorts and sizes of dolls.
Toys to beat the world;
fruits of all kinds ; nuts by
the bushel. : : : : :
You will miss a treat if you
don’t come and hear that
big talking machine play.
ijlG
W. J. MANESS,
The Meat Man-
Phone No. 183. l2-15-2t
AT T: IE2
Candy Kitchen
I have anything you may
want for Christmas ; : : :
Apples, Oranges, Bananas,
Pears, Grapes, Fig^, Rais
ins, Dates, and Nuts of all
kinds. ::::::
Any kind of Candy you
want. Fine Candy in Beau
tiful Boxes. : : : : :
Christmas Goods.
—A|NICE SELECT STOCK OF—
Silverware, Chinaware, Glassware, Watches
and
Jewelry Novelties.
AllJselecLedHespecially forJthe Holiday Trade.
Buy The Kind That Lasts.
Aggood'piece of jewelry becomes a treasured heirloom,
preserving the giver’s name in loving memory.
I KEEP THE BEST GRADES.
Has your wife some nice Silverware or Cut Glass to
show her friends?
Do you want something nice and good for a sweetheart
or friend?
CalljOn*rae and inspect my stock; I have many
things|that* may please you.
J. T.
Next door to The Battery. 12-4-4t
Rogers.
A FULL LINE OF DO' LS-
I guarantee my prices to be
cheaper than anyone else’s.
Come and see me ; I will
save you money. : : :
Give me your order before
the holidays so I can select
it for you. : : : : :
S. R. Suber.
Next to Postoffice.
JONES J. DARBY
PROTECTS
Business, Income, Salary and Family
DISTRICT AGENT
>M um i* Gaffney, S. C.
Aetna Lila Ins. Go.,
Hartford, Conn.
CHRISTMAS
Why not buy a good PIANO ora PIANO PLAYER?
How about a handsome SCARF for your old Piano,
or a nice solid leather MUSIC ROLL for the girl? I
have a fine line of MOUTH HARPS, some fine
VIOLINS, SHEET MUSIC and all sorts of Musical
Goods.
Come and see me for such things, if not in stock I will
get them for you.
W. L. JOHNSON.
Heating Stoves,
Sewing Machines,
AT
Gaffney Hardware Co.
.;:^ v. A/-;: , 'A-:
GHKISTM Ate ite
And 1 am, too, with plenty of good things for you
A Fine Turkey, a Nice Hum, Fine F it Beef, every cut
that you want; Good Pork Sausage and Mixed Sausage,
seasoned to taste. Fin * Northern Apples ; also Oranges,
Lemons, Pears, Cocoanuts, uc. Candies of all varieties
for the girls and fireworks for the boys, also Heavy and
Fancy Groceries, so you se«‘ your whole order can be
filled at oite place. 1 thank one and all for the patron
age of the past 8 years, and hope to serve you all for 8
years more at “The Up-to-date Market.” : : : :
Phone 60. W. McOIjriNN
Christmas Presents.
There are so many things that can be given as appro
priate Christmas Gifts; all nice, but in giving why not make
the present something that will not only be a gift but will
be serviceable? When it comes to serviceable things
WE HAVE THEM.
We have so many things that will be well received by fath
er, brother, uncle or friend.
I
Select Him Something: From The List.
Men’s Suits. Overcoats, Fancy Suspenders, Silk Neckwear.
Shoes, Nice Hosiery, Gloves, Nice Shirts, Fancy Vests, Silk
Mufflers, Handkerchiefs and a great many other things that
I have on display.
t
If It Is A Gentleman’s That You Want We
Have It AT LOW HOLIDAY PRICES.
I 9-2t. k
i<maw
^ Get Your Hot Glean COAL
From Tolleson&Co.
Wo liko to .seethe cold wave Hag displayed, not only be
cause we sell more coal, but because it makes the Tolle-
son customers better satisfied than ever. Our Jellico
and Elk Valley Block and Blue Gem are so full of heat
and are such high grade fuels that they make any house
warm, even during the severest weather. Phone your
orders to No. 48. QUICK DELIVERIES.
J. bt. TL'OL^lwK^OIV 00. 12 iS-xt
Get The Habit, Go To
NELSON’
lEe Star Clothier.
Look for The Green Sign Opposite The Post Office.