The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-22 00:00:00

THE SON, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBI?,II 22, 1863

the late meeting, too, resolutions were pro-
posed—one to the effect that the matter be re-
ferred to the Baths and Park Committee,
with instructions to consider any proposal made for
the purchase; the other was that the Council should
take steps to purchase Aston Hall. The discus-
sion as to the relative merits cf those proposals was
long and animated, occupying several hour 3, and
engaging numerous speakers. One gentleman
boldly declared that the town was compromised,
and that after bringing the QUEEN to Birmingham
and representing to her MAJESTY that Aston Park
was for the people, it would be disgraced if the
Council did not purchase it, let the price be what it
would. His remonstrances failed in their effect,
and by a preponderance of 29 votes the resolution
for referring the question back to a committee
was passed. We cannot but share the hope
expressed by Sir CHARLES PHIPPS on behalf of
her MAJESTY, that the wealthier citizens of the
town of Birmingham will not suffer stich dis-
credit to fall upon their town, as the loss of this
park would infallibly occasion. The sum re-
quired, though perhaps large for the purpose, is
not large for a town like Birmingham, and it
would ill become one of England's great manu-
facturing centres to be accused of parsimony.
Their eloquent member, who is always ready to
proclaim the right of the poor, had better road
them a lesson. Indeed, if he sets them the ex-
ample by heading the subscription list it would
be only consistent. Let Birmingham look to its
laurels, or the general public will begin to believe
the professions made on behalf of the working
classes, especially as concerns the opening of this
Hall and Park, to be no more sterling than their
manufactures were wont to be regarded, and con-
sider them mere "Brummagem wares."

Every now and then the readers of the public
papers are horrified and disgusted by the account
of some shocking act of cruelty, and some wanton
case of malignity comes before them that seems
more suited to the doings of fiends than the delibe-
rate deeds of men. A most frightful instance of
barbarity has just been brought before us by the
energetic efforts of that praiseworthy Society for
the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. It is most
satisfactory to reflect upon the result of their la-
bours, and the amount of good that they do is
almost incalculable. Still their services effect more
benefit in so far as regards preventive measures,
and it is of importance that the subject be consi-
dered in the light of adopting remedial ones. The
knowledge that at any time a case of cruelty may be
detected and brought to justice doubtless deters the
commission of many crimes ; but when the danger
has been braved and the act perpetrated, in spite of
all warning and regardless of detection, it is neces-
sary to reflect a little on the nature of the penalties
inflicted. It is very much to be regretted that for
some reason or other the sentences on these mis-
creants and ruffians are never half severe enough,
and do not in the hundredth degree come up to a
fitting idea of retribution. The case here cited is
most revolting, and indeed it is almost toe horrid
to dwell upon. Two labourers were charged with
maltreating a dog in the most cruel fashion. They
were flaying it alive. Mr. PRATT, who prosecuted,
very properly demanded the heaviest possible
punishment, truly adding that this case was one of
the worst ever brought into a court, It was proved
by witnesses that the " prisoners were actually en-
gaged in cutting off the skin from a dog while
alive." It was also shown that it was not till some
disturbance overtook them that they desisted, and
threw the animal into the sea. The Chairman of the
Bench said that he had never heard a " more gross
case of cruelty in all his experience." All this was
very true, but the conclusion drawn from such pre-
mises is most dissatisfying. The prisoners were
condemned to two months' hard labour. This is a
mere farce of punishment in comparison with what
such characters deserved. There should be some
imperative infliction to such cases as these that no
magistrate can alter, and from which there can be
no escape. This will be the only sure and certain
way to put down such a disgrace to humanity as
the occurrence, much less the repetition, of these
offences most assuredly is. In the first place there
should be some disgrace attached to the penalty in-
flicted, to that the offender may not have the oppor-
tunity of treating the affair as a joke when the term
of his incarceration is over. In the instance of the
" garotters" the plan now in vogue of affixing to
the sentence the penalty of flogging, appears to have
been in some way successful, since far less is heard
of the exploits of these nocturnal assailants, who
had become at one time inseparably asso-
ciated with the perils and dangers of the night.
When the attention of Parliament was drawn to
the question, there was great opposition at men-
tion of the proposal for instituting flogging as an
addenda to the sentence on these offenders. Doubt-
less the same objections would be urged were the
energetic reformers of the law to propose a similar
infliction on the perpetrators of the cruel deeds re-
ferred to. Notwithstanding such demurrers abound-
ing, it is to be earnestly trusted that there will
be found discerning legislators to take up
the cause when Parliament assembles. The
near approach of this period is a source of
satisfaction to many as well as Mr. COBDEN ; and
they confidently look forward to the opportunity
that will present itself to those desirous of amend-
ing errors, rectifying mistakes, and adjusting diffi-
culties in the working of the decrees of justice. It
is a solemn and sacred duty to society to put a stop
to such violation of all laws, both human and
divine, as are infringed by the doers of the
dark deeds alluded to. It is a grave responsibility
which rests on our Legislature that our laws should
be changed and altered until they are sufficiently
strong to deter those who are evil disposed from the
commission of such crimes. It would be a great ad-
vantage to the cause of civilisation, and a special
service to the interests of humanity, if prompt and
decided measures were adopted. It is a scandal
to an age, with its vaunted improvements and its
astounding discoveries, that there is no statesma❑
who can devise, and no legislators who can carry
out, laws.that are potent enough to militate against
barbarians and check the course of brutality. No
pains should be spared, no prejudices should be
allowed tostand in the way of the necessary change
and imperative remedy. As BOILEAU observes of
a faulty production-- Yowl foes sur le metier
remette: l'ouvrage. Again and again should the
effort be made, until it is an established fact that a
strict and severe discipline is effected, and that a
system of terrorism prevails that must in time
create a salutary effect and produce a beneficial
change. 'ln inflict a trifling penalty upon men so
destitute of the commonest feelings of humanity
and so dead to all sense of shame, and then
to enforce far heavier penalties upon those
whose
offence is a trivial theft to which
onlyaltm:::: driven by the pressure of want
and the tiao demands of a starving family, seems most
as a n
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that is to be protected ; that may
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It is idle to preach about
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