Where Is Justice in This Age of Carelessness? 1916

“An Age of Carelessness,” from the French Broad Hustler, Hendersonville, N.C., September 21, 1916.

As individuals we all want to live the full length of the natural life, but are careless of the welfare of other people. Men shoot down their fellows and the balance of us sit on juries to clear them or if convicted sign petitions for either commutation of sentence or pardon, forgetful that such lax administration of justice lowers respect for law and makes every life less secure.

In the old country people have a greater reverence for authority because law is generally executed with the certainty of convicting criminals and punishment is swift and sure. Men think seriously of consequences before they engage in lawlessness and are thus restrained in large measure from deeds of violence.

In rural communities crime is generally prevalent than in crowded and congested cities, yet last year there were in staid and conservative North Carolina, with a population almost entirely rural, five times as many murders as in the city of London, which contains more than twice the inhabitants of this state.

Then more people are killed accidentally in the United States than in any other land where a decent civilization obtains. It is a fact that our average death rate from accidents is 160 for every day in the year, and every tenth funeral is the result of accident. The deaths from accident in this country are six times greater than in Europe.

We are reckless in the construction of railroads and in the running of trains. Our railroad crossings are a constant menace. They should be guarded with such care as to entirely prevent accident and footmen should be prohibited from walking on railroads. In the old country no grade crossings are permitted in town or country. Every highway crossing is either a bridge or an underpass and this arrangement is the salvation of thousands. Such a system here would largely reduce deaths from accident.

Many automobile drivers are reckless and incompetent, yet such persons, often children with no experience or judgment, are permitted to drive these engines at dangerous speed along our highways, imperiling all other travelers, so that deaths caused by their recklessness are of daily occurrence.

The passing of more laws is the panacea suggested for all our public shortcomings, and they do help some, but most of the calamities which shock us daily are due more to thoughtlessness and the “don’t care” spirit of these times.

Parents, teachers and employers should emphasize the importance of “safety first” upon those who come under their care. Human life is of great value to us and to others and every means should be taken to preserve it. Its protection should command the support of all men, not only from the lowest, selfish motives, but because of that higher and unselfish interest which every true man has for the welfare of his neighbor.