The word "sandwiches" by itself does not have any
particular significance in this statement, but used as a whole, the statement reinforces
the idea that Atticus wants all the details about what happened that night to be out in
the open. Atticus is under the impression that Jem killed Mr. Ewell in self-defense, and
when Mr. Tate suggests that "Jem never stabbed Bob Ewell," Atticus thinks that he is
proposing that what really happened be covered up, to protect Jem. Atticus, while
expressing his appreciation to Mr. Tate for trying to save his son from the censure of
the community, objects, saying that "Nobody's gonna hush anything up." He wants
everything to be handled in an honest and straightforward manner, and uses the
statement
"Let
the county come and bring
sandwiches"
to illustrate his
point. The image of everybody coming out with their sandwich lunches, like
a picnic, to sit back and hear and watch and see the truth play out presents an attitude
of complete transparency. Instead of hiding what he believes is the
truth, Atticus wants to be completely honest and let everyone learn, at their leisure,
what really happened, in the belief that justice will prevail (Chapter
30).
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