The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-11-23
IFor the Massachusetts, spy.l
on CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

Much has been said, and the public mind
has been greatly agitated, concerning the tri-
al, sentence, and pending execution of Hor-
ace Carter, for the crime which he will soon
have to expiate on the gallows, unless the
lenient hand of the executive interpose, Ell
Their, to reprieve the culprit, or commute the
punishment, by sentencing him to hard labor
for life. Although the crime perpetrted by
Carter stands high on the list of offences, al
though depravity marks the character of that
man, who wantonly sports with the reputa-
ton of his fellows, and wifully destroys that
which he cannot restore, yet the circumstance
attending the crime, ought, in all cases, to be
investigated by the executive, and especially
in case like this, where the character, and
previous conduct of the injured person, ought
TO be considered, that strict justice may take
place. On perusing an editorial article in the
Egis, confess that was somewhat surprised
at the remarks on the crime and situation Of
the unfortunate and wretched Carter. AS to
the severity of the law, il is not my province
to determine, yet it is fully evident, that, if
any crime deserves death, by our laws that
for which Carter is convicted stands among
the foremost. agree with the editor, that
the " objects of punishments are TO restrain
the offender from future injury, and deter
others from disturbing the quiet of society -
but this end would be effected by impr;son-
ment to hard labor, where the offender will
be secured from troubling society and the
community, rejecting on his situation, would
s. foresee the evil, and hee' TO the hiding
place Of moral reCtitude. Although the inn
partially of Carter's trial is not dJubted, =
although the ability and skin of his counsel
are not questioned, yet there are many things
which, although they could not be called i'll
question on his trial, while the oath of the
accuser remained unimpeached, yet they
would have much weight in Carriers favor,
on the side 81 mercy, and might, if closely
traced, almost entitle him to the clemency Of
the executive authority. LIST, The character
of the accuser. I'd, His having no near
friends, willing or able to assist him in pro-
curing evidence, and bringing it to the know
ledge of his counsel. And Sd, His being pro-
baby in state of intoxication. This objec-
ton, though not known in law, generally is
in smaller offences considered as cause fol-
mitigating punishment.
Capital punishment is almost unknown in
our land; and such has been our happy LOT
that many years have rolled around since the
Worcester, and happy, thrice happy, would
that community be, where the dark passions
of the abandoned were totally annihilated,
where virtue was practised and vice detested.
But with the editor of the Egis | shall agree
that this millenial day has not yet commenced
but should suppose that men possessing
Christian spirit, with the divine precept
of the Saviour before their eyes, would be
perfectly satisfied, when the community is Sc
cured from the rage of brutal lust, or the
midnight dagger of the assassin, --satis6ed if,
within the walls of prison, their enemy lies
secure, and that from him the community are
not in danger, though "the apparatus fol
executions should moulder by age and decay
by disuse.
Horace Carter has indeed perpetrated a
most heinous crime the foul stain Of felony
rests upon his head; his crimes have carried
him TO the threshold of eternity; but, notwith.
| standing, is he not entitled TO compassion
Are the ties Of humanity, aud the sympathie.
Of his fellow citizens, to be forever withheld
! from the guilty and wretched malefactor;