American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-12-31
PoR THE wATcHMAS.

Mr. EDIToR-The barbarous and unchrisan-
like practice which mankind have adopted in their
degenel state, OF deprising human being of his
existence for offence committed against his lei.
low man, has long been subject OF deep concern to
my mind, and il is with the hope OF exciting spirit
Iof inquiry and inducing some whose talents fit
him for the subject, forward as the advocate
of correct principles and the stern opposer OF this
heaven daring sin, that wish you to give this com
municaon place in your paper, notwithstanding
its many imperiections.
This important subject opens wide field for dis
lcussion. and must confess myself inadequate to the
task The eloquence OF ages past, the talents Of
many who now slumber in the dust, and the exer-
tions Of worthy statesmen Of modern times have been
employed in The noble and praseworthy object OF
Iendeavorng TO convince mankind Of The horrid and
lunscriptura doctrine that man should suffer death
for any crime Ii cannot therefore, reasonably be
Iexpected that shall completely succeed in eiadlca-
ling from the human mind error OF SO dark die,
when my predecessors with all their superior ad-
sanlages have tailed Yet, few hints may not be
smtss
| deem il unnecessary to refer TO multiplicity OF
texts OF scripture schch stand IN dread array as the
artitiery Of Hedren ready to break down and des-
troy the false principle which has gained such as
tendency at the present day. that ace should render
murder for murder let few suffice.
The first instance Of murder OF which we are in
formed is that oil Cain killing his brother Abel. Did
the Lord OF Heaven and earth exercise his sovereign
power in this instance by depnvng Cain OF his Lille
as a restitution Tor that OF Abel, or as punishment
for his helnous ofenceF mo That God who hath
said :. vengeance is mine, will repay" permitted
him still to LIVE to experience the horrors OF a
guilty conscience, 10 awaken his remorse, and to
alarm his fears, doubtless with the view that in due
time il would lead 10 hat repentance of his trans
gresson which would fit and prepare him Tor slo-
rious and triumph exit from lhls world OF woe.
The murder oil Abel was an uncommonly aggra
waited crime for, the exceency OF his character the
amlabeness of his Disposition and his ardent pety,
so far from furnishing any ptetext 10 the commits
sion Of this !" deed mos foul, were calculated TO
helghten the esteem and command the respect oil
all who knew him. Yet, notwithstanding the pccu
liar goodness Of murdered Abel, whose death, il
any. should cali for vengeance, his destroyer is per
mted to live, and the mandate OF God issued against
any person who dare modest him, Whosoerer stay
eth Cain rehgeance shall be taken on him seren tod
Some iniat uated advocates for the erroneous doc
trine OF rendering :" murder for MURDER, bring tol
their aid that passage OF scripture which says" an
eye for an eye, tooth for TOOTH But, because
ii was SAID an eye for an eye &c is there 10 be no
end to system OF retaliation! Because mankindI
have erred are they never 10 act rightly - hose
laws Of sacred wit which enoned the punishment
polished they ire not bindins and we acl rash
~ and Improper TO assume he prerogative Of God
by enforcing them al The present enlightened age.
1t is a fact that our Saviour expressly abolishedI
those laws " aud has gwen III their stead his ownI
mild and efficient law of t0re.' In addressing his
disciples, aud through thsm, the whole world, he
says" X have heard it hat been SAID an eye for
eye. tooth for TOOTH, but say unto you resist
MT eru!' II any person can bring forward single
taking OF mans HE for any offence, or under any
protest whatever, will give up the point, and be
come convert to his doctrine. Until then, shall
oppose The odous aud dlsreputable doctrine OF "mur
der Tor murder "
Some people argue that the frequent executions
which take place have beneficial effect on manklndl
inasmuch they teach spectators to shun The pathsl
oil vice, and abhur the idea OF lgnominous death
But, what has the experience OF ages teacbed us 3
The scene OF the execution OF criminal, SO farl
from affordng any thing that is calculated to reforml
the life, or furnishing any incentives to aim at re
spectabity and shun the course which has brought
the unfortunate criminal 10 such an awful end, ma,
with great poprlety be called the sch00t Of deprari-
tn There the young, the middle aged and the agedI
meet together. The novice in chine meets with
the old offender who was but recently the inhabI;ant
Of penientipry-they mingle with the busy throng
ill opportunity Of displaying their dextetity al
picking pockets presents itself who they readily
embrace embroidered by success, they become event
more daring and in the oftime commit crimes
for which they taken, condemned and tcu,ed Il
Thus ends the career Of those hose course of in-
guilty began the very sight of what some will tell
you is a terror to eri d0ers"
he scene of execution has corrupting in
lluence society al large. There the soul OF sensi.
buy becomes hardened, the heart scared as with
hot IRON and finally we become familiar with
scenes al which we would once have shrunk with
horrur! We can soon behold without emotion the
most heartrendng scenes. and remain unmoved event
at the cries OF Indebtedness and distress
envy not the feelings Of that who can look