Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra23241891roya).pdf/206

 desire that their own persons or property should be liable to those evils which they inflict on the rest of the community, and will readily join in their suppression when other delinquents are the objects of the terrors of the Law.

In carrying such a system into effect, it ought to be fully understood and maintained on all occasions, that while individuals are allowed to protect themselves as far as possible against wrongs, the redress of wrongs cannot be left to the resentment or the revenge of the parties conceiving themselves injured. That must be done solely by Government through the instrumentality of the Judicial and Executive Officers whom it appoints for that purpose.

No one therefore being allowed to be a judge in his own case, or to revenge his own quarrel, arms or weapons capable of inflicting instant death as habitually worn by the Malays become unnecessary, and, by dispensing with them, the greatest temptation to and power of doing to others the greatest and irremediable wrong in depriving them of life is in a great measure removed. If a man takes another's horse or cow by robbery or theft or under a mistaken idea that he has a right to the property in question, redress can be afforded to him as soon as he is convicted of his crime or discovers his error, but if from revenge or under false impressions a man is suddenly excited to take the life of a fellow creature, it is in vain that he afterwards discovers that he was misled by passion or had been deceived by appearances. It often happens too in these countries that a man who considers himself aggrieved by a particular individual and finding himself in possession of a sharp weapon, attempts the life of every one he meets indiscriminately, and without having any wrong at their hands to complain of. It is impossible to see who may or may not be guilty of such acts of inhuman cruelty, and therefore all should agree to lay aside the use of the weapon that is commonly employed by persons who then transform themselves to wild beasts by giving way to brutal passion.

On the same principle, it has been found by experience that those who indulge frequently in gaming and cockfighting, are not only liable to engage in quarrels with those who