Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-07-25
RICHMOND, JULY %. 1920
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
fenttentia'y System for The United States
No LII

!
because there are comparatively few
crimes committed under the Laws Of the
U. Siates,and they should be punished by
death, 10 strike terror int others. This
is an erroneous idea, founded in theory,
and ought 10 be regarded as resulting
from mind, narrow aud confined, with
out any knowledge OF human nature. :.
The lever crimes, the better for the sys-
TEN; aud tho more certain the punish
| menf, The greater will be The terror. This
opinion is supported q believe) by every
modern writer on criminal law some OF
whom were profound men and able wri-
iers. That i, is the certainty and not the
severity OF the punishment, that keeps
vice III check, must be Obvious TO every
rational understanding. This system had
IFS origin in the United States, though
this was not The only country that viewed
with adherence The old and cruel punish
rent, which had so long prevailed among
the nations styling themselves Christian.
Simultaneous with, or before mild and
more certain system was effected i'm this
country, Joseph the Cd of Germany,
ceased 10 punish with death, any crime
perpetrated in his dominions-IresSon,
considered the most hideous aud DANCE.
rOus OF all crimes, was punished with
confinement, and we are told, that during
the reign OF this prince, fewer crimes
were committed than at any time or un
der any prince previous 10 his day. Had
the system been understood then, il is
| highly probable that code of Criminal
Laws would have been Introduced, much
TO the credit of that country, as being the
means of rendering TO Europe the most
useful and benevolent institutions, that
ever crowned the labors of her councils
with success.
Others object TO the system, because il
does not produce general reformation
IN the convicis, nor deter others from
their wicked course of life il is not nv
intention TO maintain, that reformation
is general or ought TO be expected. The
justice and certainty of the punishment
is what seek. This is all that is ask ed of
The government. When obtained, nothing
more can be Reasonably expected il has
done Its par,-the culpris must do theirs.
| They have the opportunity the means
are yet before them, 10 work out their sal
walton; they have been taught good les
SONS, and benevolent country has ex-
tended to them an abundant opportunity
OF retaining their characters and be
coming respectable and useful members
OF society. They owe those blessings 10
The people for the good of the whole -
blessing denied III all other countries,
| lei their boasted professions 10 freedom
and equal right be what they may.
Shall we, the citizens of the only coun
try who stand In the way of universal
monarchy and slavery, remain indltfer-
ent 10 the cries OF humaniiy,a land persist in
unjust and tyrannical laws, when we
30 much condemn those very nations,
because their unnatural and Oppres-
sive institutions are staring us in the
face ! or shall we set to work as some OF
The states have dona TO better the con-
dliion OF our citizens, and not infiict The
same punishment on all offenders without
regard TO the nature, circumstance,
causes, malignity and depraviiy of the
crime! In country, like this, where
the feelings Of The people are alive 10 hu.
manly, II is with difficulty that The pun
ishmeDt can be inflicted; frequent par.
dons are granted, and this together with
the immoral lessons which are acquired
while they are confined III the common
ials, where no subordination and disci
pine are inforced or attention paid 10
their moral habits, are let loose OH soci
ciety more adrOit in villany than before.
Consequently the laws, by their very Sc
verify become "A nullity and of course de-
mOralizing in effect.
Why then should there be a dissenting
VOICE III opposition TO change in our
criminal laws Can it be that cruel and
huffman punishment will prevent the
increase of crimes? Ifso, il is strange
indeed that Great Britain has not become
the most virtuous aud honest country il
the world. The late accounts from The
Old Bailey exhibit depiorable state o
things i'll relation 10 her moral character
There we see hundreds convicted of ca
pital offences, III The course of few
months, and most of them executed. Sill
crimes increase; in Virginia, there wer,
fewer crimes perpeiraled between ih,
years 1900 and 1915, than at any proceed
ing fifteen years since the formation O
our present government, in proportion Il
its population. This is sufficient in
ducenent for the proper authorities in
this happy country 10 try the experiment
The system once introduced, the next en-
curry will be proper government well or
gained to insure its prosperity. Here i
! the point where the greatest and mos
. serious error isay be committed am
j, here too is the point, where the best wis
: dom should be exercised with SCUM
' discretion in order that The same misls
r ken policysshall not creep into the sys
> tenn, That has ~ most of the institution
en- this continent. They err as much TO
much on The side of mercy, as we hav
in cruelty. The founders of these insii
u tuiions have split upon this rock and
Z, fear II will be long and difficult matte
to remedy The defect and produce a tho
4. rough reformation. Make tie laws sin
y pie and perspicnOus, equal in their Opera
y ton nOi To punish one offender more 81
n verely than another for the same crime
r OF in other words, give no latitude 10 ii
!. jury. Let il be their province 10 find ii
ID fact and let the law prescribe the penali,