The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1824-06-01

The following eloquent remarks, on tn III.
nucuco which the punishment Of death
viii ha,eupon the human mud, a. a Pre-
ventve to the commission Of crime l.
extracted from LiNingston'speual code
OF Louisiana
Let US have constantly before us, when
we reason Oh tbs subject, the great prnel-
pie, that the rud ot punishment is thr pre.
veutIun OF crime. Death, indeed, operates
this end must earelually az respects the
delinquent but the great oblret OF lnfllct-
lug II - the force of the example On oth,fs.
II tins spectacle OF horror II insufficient Ia
deter men from the commission Of slight
offences, what good reason eau be given tn
persuade MS thai 1t will have this operation
where the crime Is more atfpcluuB Can
We believe fhal.tht fear 81 - remote aud
uncertain Jcaib will stop the traitor IN TIM
Intoxicating moment OF fancied victory u
yer the constitution and lihertsa Of his
country While, IN the proud confidence
of success, he dcftg heasen aud earth, and
commits hs existence IN the chance Of
arms, that the dread OF his punishment will
check his prde--force hun like somo ma
glc spell, to yield obedience 10 lie laws,
and abandon a course which he pelsuades
himself makes virtue of hrs ambition -
VIII il arrest the hand of the iniarate
wretch, who, at u single blow, IL about To
CRAFTY the strongest passion % ms soul
IN the destruction of hls deadly enemy p
NIIl II turn aside the purpose ut the secret
assassin, who meditates the removal ol the
only obstacle 10 bio enjoyment Of wealth
aud honors VIII II muster The strongest
passions aud couuteract The most powerful
motives, whilst it's too weak 10 prevent
the indulgence oil the slightest criminal IL
oludtiuu II this be true, II must be con.
ies:cd thdtlt presents a paradox which will
be found more difficult 10 solve when VIZ
reflect that great crimes aIe for the most
puit committed hy men, whose lo0s habits
OF gull have iamllAnizcd tlrm 10 thr idras
OF dratll, OF 10 whom strong passions or
natural courage have rendered Il III some
measure Iudrlorrut.-a that the coward
" polsuucr OF assassin always Thinks thai
he has taken such precautions ~ will pre-
vent amy risk ot discovery. The fer Of
death, therefore, vii rarely deter from thr
commission Of great crimes Ii IS, on the
contrary, a remedy peculiarly inaPpllcable
10 those Offences. Ambition, which usual
y inspires the crime OF treason, SCARS above
the fear ct dclth; avalire, which whispers
the secret murder, clecps b,loN II; w.
threats of death viii never drtrr nlrn who
are aCtuatcd by dies. passions many Of
them atirOnt II III the very commission of
the offence, and therefore readily incur the
lesser risk Of suffering II IN whatthcy thnlt
the Impossible event Of detection. But
present Other consequences more directly
opposed 10 tIic enloymebts Which Norp ~.
tlclpnt"d IN the commission Of the crime,
make those consequences permanent aud
certain, aud then, although mlder, they will
be less reality rlskrd than tin nomenfafy
paus attending thu loss ri lite Study the
passions winch first suggested tie offence,
and apply your punishment 10 moftily
AND cuuul"rart them. The ainbnous man
cannot b"ar the ordinary restraints nj goy
eminent, subject Inn Ia those of i prison, liz
dduot endure the superiority 1.-THE most
d ,uIlird magistrate, force Inn 10 submit
10 the lowest officer oI executive justice, N
sought by his crimes a superiority above all
that WAS most respectable IN society," re-
ducrd Hlm IN his punishment Ia acyeI with
llc most abI"ct of mankind. II gyaiIcc
suggested the murder, separate the wretch
iurrvcr from his hoard realize the Gablc
of antiquity arntence INN from his place
Of pcnnrucc and punishment, ~ So. IN,
heirs rlorIng on ms spolIs and the zorro.
ding reflection that others are anncently
on Of la