American watchman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1814-1822, 1822-02-12

object for the worlds gaze and derision And do YOU after
wards expect that he will love that world it is vain
foolish expectation. He down fromtha platform Of
mfamy mans determined toeand like the great adversary
OF man. ne will ever aitcrwars prowl about the world
seeking whom he may dcvour And what right have we to
complain Manwill receive him as afiend the good
hand OF fellowship is closed against hm he is shut out
from the charities and sympathies of his fellow creatures
an outcast he wanders upon the face of the earth Where
ever he goes suspicion him and contempt pursucs
him. Oh, is not too hard thus pursue into
y nook and corner of the earth. Besides, is only
oarbarons but 1t is perfectly useless If cAninal be-
comes such from habit your punishment will have effect
upon him. II too short You cannot expect that few
moments suffering will change the habits Of years"
proves that the enemies of The peniehtiary system
expected too much, and were consequently disap.
pointed The cites the example Of PHILADELPHIA &
asserts that the number of crimes is greater in De.
Iaware than in the city, though the population of
Philadelphia is nearly double that of our state. The
reason is in our penal code. He observes;
Gc back the origin oftese institutions and yo,r will
the effect flat they calculated to produce, when
they properly conducted What says the first report
OF the Inspectors of the Philadelphia prison The pri-
school Of reformation and place Of public Ia
bori and Of many who received the Governors pardon,
not returned convict" And later period it APP
pears from their reports that Of two hundred whohad
been pardoacd only four had returned. The vicinity of
Philadelphia while such laws assours were in force in
Pennsylvania, very much troubled with highway rob
berries these have ceased. burglary very
offence in the city Of Philadelphia we now scarcely ever
hear of such thing Pckpockets were very numerous
IN this city they to have vanished"
We ARE sorry to have il in cur power to say that
focts do away this theory. The Philadelphia prints
daily give us details Of burglaries but the last
week twenty persons were arrested: and IT would
appear that housebreaking is reduced there, 10 a
regular system. Pickpockets have not vanished |;
and ali prudent citizens keep their front doors barr
ed, the tght,footcd gentry not unfrequenty easing
them of their great coats, hats sc. where this pre-
initiate against the system, as regards Delaware.
He proceeds--
"From late report from the Massachusetts prison. sp
pears that those offences that punished with penen-
tary discipline have Observation-Disclosures those that are
punished with death have increased fact sir, IS wcFh
thousand theories. Yet with I'LL the facts upon this sub
iect staring in the face, still hesitate-we st object
Some say that this system would be too expensive
we nothing frighful in the expense; but were 1T as
fgh! as the enemies of this system wish to representa-
we should deem it unworthy Of moments thought
Economy should be put in the scales against HUMANE
i ty The thought is monstrous"
4 - NNNN~--N'0
idea Of expense he says:--
| III is the mere dream of a dsempered BRAIN Look
4 at New Hampsre her penitentiary does not cost the
state Loo at Massachusetts from late report
from that prison appears that her penentlary not only
supports itself, but it actually put into the state treasury
year, after having paid all expenses from two to three
thousand dollars. We trust that these facts VIII silence
the objections of economists"
4 He likewise combats the opinion that peniten,ia.
res are attractive instead of being terror; and
serts with great truth, that the greatest blessings
may be abused. His ideas of the system to be pur.
sued, are excellent and reflect credit on his udg.
ment. He tells us
"In every pententary there should be classification
lof offenders he young should be separated from the
fold Different grades Of criminals should be separated
ICompany should be forbid solitude should be strictly en-
joined They should literally be places OF punishment
not much Of bodily pain as mental anguish The heart
should be left to prey upon sclfnothng but TINS can
work reform, and nothing but solitude can effect this
But whats the in our penentaries twenty or hir
y lie down togetherin the novice along side OF
the old villains delicacy and vusary-modesy and OBJ
Observation-Disclosures and cunning, all lie mingled together
What be expected from such an arrangement as tins
When look at this system and see the abuses TO which
has been exposed, astonishe not that has done SO
liule but hait has done much Ii notwithstanding all
the abuses which it has been aboring under, 1t has been
more eicacious in promoting the objects OF punishment,
than bloody penal aWs what would 1t not 40 II ltWefe
properly conducted. Let make the experiment; we
can but fail and if fail it will not dishonor us fer 1t
will be failure in the canse of humanity
i Such is the Speech of Mr. Thomas the excur-
|sive range he has taken, detracts much from the
merit of his performance, but he has atoned for his
error in the conclusion its faults and good quail.
tiles have been stated, and wishing him well, we bid
The subject--Adieu.