Certainly human nature does not change, notwithstanding what is said to the contrary. Just now there is a shock being endured by some minds because of the post-mortem honors being shown to Tom Slaughter, confirmed criminal and cold-blooded man-killer, who was assassinated by one of his own class after escaping from prison in the most romantic style imaginable.

Thousands streamed by his bier covered with flowers; a distinguished minister conducted the funeral services, and a notable cortege followed his casket to the cemetery. One wreath, proclaimed as costing $250, bore a written tribute to the desperado's alleged bravery displayed while engaged in banditry, and railed at the betrayal of his friendship by his executioner.

In all this there is naught that is novel. Old histories of Paris and London tell of the concourses which attended Charles Duval, Dick Turpin, Jack Sheppard and other criminal worthies on their way to the gibbet at Tyburn and Montfaucon as the case might be. More recently this country witnessed the public testimonials paid to the life and character of Jesse James, Civil War guerrilla and highwayman, whose dashing bank raids are now so much affected. James was shot from behind by a comrade, Bob Ford, as he lay concealed in his hiding place. The American public was angered and the slayer became the synonym for treachery and ingratitude.

Ford died tragically, and the public expressed its satisfaction wildly, James's brother Frank succeeded to his laurels. The Governor of Missouri opened the doors of the prison where he was serving a life sentence most deservedly, and the Missouri House of Representatives elected him to be a doorkeeper as its share of official tribute to the heroism of life on the highway. Both were made the central figures of dime novels, eagerly devoured by hundreds of thousands of boyish minds which thereupon became fired to commit murder and robbery and be handed down to posterity as the rivals of the "James boys."

And yet they were only a pair of cruel-minded thieves.  --Cincinnati Enquirer