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Editorial
January 25, 1930
The Border Vidette
Nogales, Santa Cruz County, Arizona
What is this article about?
The editorial suggests reviving America's frontier spirit to combat urban crime, arguing that excessive laws and lenient reforms have empowered criminals while disarming citizens, leading to societal failure in maintaining order.
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OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
THE FRONTIER SPIRIT
What is needed to solve the crime problem may be an application of the old, robust, frontier spirit of America. The western empire was not tamed by professional reformers and law-passers. The bad men flourished until hardy citizens, determined to wage a relentless war on lawlessness, gave them a taste of their own medicine. One dose of lead proved to be worth more than a dozen doses of sumptuary legislation.
The old days are over. But much the same situation remains in the underworlds of our great cities.
A ruthless, organized and intelligent criminal class is pitting itself against society. And so far society seems to have lost ground.
The reason for this failure of law and order is clear. We have burdened ourselves with a maze of laws that have reacted, in the fashion of boomerangs, to the advantage of the criminal and the disadvantage of the good citizen.
Legal technicalities, and the activities of sob-sisters and reformers make many of our trials travesties on justice.
One wonders what those pioneers who founded American civilization would think of a nation where, in many localities, the law-abiding citizen is virtually prohibited from owning a gun for his protection and amusement, and cannot defend himself the underworld with its own weapons.
Perhaps in that they would find adequate reason for our abnormal crime record.-The Manufacturer.
What is needed to solve the crime problem may be an application of the old, robust, frontier spirit of America. The western empire was not tamed by professional reformers and law-passers. The bad men flourished until hardy citizens, determined to wage a relentless war on lawlessness, gave them a taste of their own medicine. One dose of lead proved to be worth more than a dozen doses of sumptuary legislation.
The old days are over. But much the same situation remains in the underworlds of our great cities.
A ruthless, organized and intelligent criminal class is pitting itself against society. And so far society seems to have lost ground.
The reason for this failure of law and order is clear. We have burdened ourselves with a maze of laws that have reacted, in the fashion of boomerangs, to the advantage of the criminal and the disadvantage of the good citizen.
Legal technicalities, and the activities of sob-sisters and reformers make many of our trials travesties on justice.
One wonders what those pioneers who founded American civilization would think of a nation where, in many localities, the law-abiding citizen is virtually prohibited from owning a gun for his protection and amusement, and cannot defend himself the underworld with its own weapons.
Perhaps in that they would find adequate reason for our abnormal crime record.-The Manufacturer.
What sub-type of article is it?
Crime Or Punishment
Legal Reform
What keywords are associated?
Frontier Spirit
Crime Problem
Lawlessness
Legal Technicalities
Self Defense
What entities or persons were involved?
Pioneers
Criminals
Reformers
Sob Sisters
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Applying Frontier Spirit To Solve Modern Crime
Stance / Tone
Advocating Robust Action Against Criminals, Critical Of Lenient Laws
Key Figures
Pioneers
Criminals
Reformers
Sob Sisters
Key Arguments
Frontier Spirit Tamed The West Through Direct Action, Not Laws
Modern Cities Face Organized Crime That Society Is Losing To
Excessive Laws And Technicalities Favor Criminals Over Citizens
Law Abiding Citizens Restricted From Self Defense
Pioneers Would Disapprove Of Current Crime Conditions