'LAW-ABIDINGNESS' IN THE SOUTH-WEST 217 



in the town for which he was bound, and that 

 his case was a very strong one. 



While defending the Far West and by 

 imputation the South from accusations of 

 extreme lawlessness, it is only proper to 

 suggest the existence of differing opinions as 

 to the interpretation of the word * law-abiding- 

 ness.' The drifting of stray straws proves 

 that the set of the wind is not yet precisely 

 the same as in England or in the Eastern 

 States. For instance, there is a stringent 

 law forbidding the carrying of concealed 

 weapons, yet it is safe to say that the terri- 

 torial citizens whose pistol - pockets are 

 habitually unoccupied are in the minority. 

 4 Every man must look out for himself is 

 the excuse offered, if excuses seem to be in 

 even temporary demand. The striking point 

 of the affair to the * tenderfoot ' is, not simply 

 that murders are comparatively rare, but the 

 reason presented by a Western journal and 

 presented in sober earnest, too for this 

 condition of armed neutrality, so to speak. 

 * The carrying of protective weapons by the 

 citizen,' we are thus seriously informed, ' con- 

 duces to the preservation of peace.' What a 



