Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-06-30
Rrtracf from a late Speech ofths Hon. p. p
u r

cd for either intellectual or moral culture, and
thea say whether he was TO be put upon par as
20 the regulations of society with those whose sit
uation was SO widely different II was in vain to
complain of such state Of things. Humanity, mo
rality, even religion, might lift up their vcice,
but the; could not remove the evil. Slavery ex-
isted, and it was for legislator to look at things
as they were. How then were slaves to be ope-
rated upon? 1t was proposed to punish them BY
confinement at hard labor. Now, as to labor,
hat was the daily and almost constant occupation
of slave. 1t was his lot already, and to threat
en- him with labor was 10 hold up almost no threat
at ALL That motive was as nothing -
Would gentlemen then appeal to his moral SEN
sibihties? 1t was melancholy but it was true,
that the very condition of seryitude itself had
,owerfut and inyariabe influence in degrading
the moral sensibility of all those who endure 1t.
On that subject, he might quote the language OF
the poet:
.Joye fxci this certain: that whatever day
kes man = slave. takes half hi, worth away"
Seryitude in all countries and ages. has been
found to exert powerful effect in bunting the
moral sensibilities of men, SD that they did not
feel the same sense of degradation under punish
mept as others DO, who never were IN bondage.
Iney did know it to be a fact, that in a large
majority Of cases the sense OF degradation was
not sufficient to put down crime. Now when the
whole object ofpunishment was to prevent crimes,
an appeal was TO be made to one or two princi-
pies only, when no other feeling was to be con-
suited but the dread of labor and the dread OF
shame, wOuld the House pursue system OF legis-
lation which they had every possible ground to
believe was not adequate to its end? AS to this
colored population, 1T might reasonably he sup
posed that those who had had most to dc with
a L.. 70. he.
aged. Eet gentlemen go to Virginia, or to Mary
land. to any slave state in the Union, was there
one whose scheme of criminal policy towards
slaves was based on the idea of their dread of
degradation? he did not know Of such State
Experience, that surest and safest gnide where
il could be reached. should ever be consulted
and heedfully regarded; and all experience in
this matter spoke one and the same language
Mr.. B. said that there was not feeling In his
heart that did not revolt at the very idea Of any
cruelty OF oppression towards those unhappy Peo-
ole. But if gentlemen would rely on mere spec
ulation, even speculation itself If based on true
philosophy, would teach any man that state of
slavery had natural, necessary and inevitable
tendency to degrade the subject OF II, and to Ell
face those fnsr sensibilities to which dread OF
shame addressed itself.
Such fear would never prove, with respect to
slaves, motive Of sufficient strength to restrain
them when disposed To crime. Every aspect of
the subject conspired to prove the expedency Of
adopting the amendment. After that had been
adopted. Mr.. Is. said he should be prepared to
arree to the midest code in respect to slaves,
which the good order and safety of society would
admit.
Extract from recent Speech Of Mr.. Brough-
La,a, IN he British Parliament. on the subject
Of Trial Jy jwry.
/ am now GIVING an outline OF the measures
which think necessary to accomplish my object,
hut have not yet mentioned the necessity OF
having recourse 10 trial by jury. Far be 1t
from me TO say thai there are not many cases IN
which the trial by Judges might fairly be dispen-
sed with; but when In conneSion with the
question Of trial BY jury, the name OF MIR. Jere-
nv Bentham is forced on my recollecton-a
man whose merit as philosopher, and as bene-
factor of mankind, is above all praise-a man
who has the transcendant merritt say 1t with
ont hesitation-of being the founder OF all legal
reform. aud who must 90 to future ages with a
renutation of having been the only great and ef-
fectual purifier Of our judicial system-when
nav TO him the tribute of my admiration and my
Gratitude for the eminent services he has render
sd m his country and TO mankind during the
course ofhis long, laborious and useful life hear
heari1 Ire.ract no praise, | disquallfy no ad.
miration, when say, in connexion with this
subject, that am far from agreeing with him in
the whole of those reforms. which he has at va
rioas times proposed hear heart | differ from
him in degree--he going much farther IN some
instances than lam disposed to go. But differ
from him in the kind of reform which he proposes
but in nothing more than III that which he
suggests with respect to trial BY jury. do not
mean to say that he is an enemy to trial by jury,
but Ithink he undertakes its Importance in cases
to which believe it to be peculiarly applicable.
On all points where conflicting testimony IS
produced whenever great variety of documen:
tary & parole testimony has been produced--~ner.
ever the circumstances ot the case are such' tha'
no direct testimony can be brought forward 10
show on which side lies the truth! say, that IN
these. and in all the variety Of cases connected
with them. trial jury BY is Of incalcp'able value
IN sssertaning 10 which party belongs the right IN