Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-08-21
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Abolition Of Capital Punishment. in Eogrnnd, and


The success of Reform in England, and the
constitution OF Legislature by which the real
feelings of tho People will be represented, and
their will expressed, must be speedily followed by
results of the deepest interest, and most compre
hcnsive import. Her external policy will be modi.
fed by, and the spirit of her legislation conform.
ed to, that increased liberalism, which atchie.
we'd the late great civil Resolution, the most memo
rable event in English history, since its counter
part of $685. II is curious, by the way to witness
the comparative indifference with which that i'm
portant change in the Gov ernment Of England has
been observed in this country, by r:ci., fani.
liar with her history and the progress of i,er ins,
tutions--so true is it, that the contemporaries of
remarkable events, incap ibe of estimating
their Importance with the same accuracy as those
wno come after them and view them through their
operation and consequence. The English revulu-
ton of 1882, has been achieved without an APP
peal TO arms No brilliant displays of vaor flash
ed ccat upon it. Argument and the will and rcsou
ton of The people, were it's sufficient weapons.
And hence At has failed 10 attract that popular ad.
miration, and even that learned applause, which
cheered the three days of Paris, and celebrated
the Revolution which placed LOUIS Philip in the
place of Charles X, herevcr the Press was free,
or liberty had votarics. Yet hat has France
gained, by swapping Kings, and what has England
mol gained by that great change which has trans.
ferred To the b' dy of the people, effect, the Whole
power of the State? To render her late Revolu
ton efficient France must have yet another, while
England has alrerdy gained all she wanted, i'll the
power of accommodating her institutions, their
defects appear, the inclination of the People
r'ay direct, to their wants and wishes. The King
remains, but he is King Invested of the power
o. mischief. The Aristocracy remain. but the en-
gh ened friends of Liberty do not wish, perhaps
wisely, to overthrow all countcrpose to the De.
| mocracy, and the history of the Reform Bill pro.
claims in a voice not to be unheard or misunder.
stood, that the Aristocracy cannot, burst not,
oppose themselves to public opinion, and the de.
cared will OF the millions. Having yielded there,
when to yield, according to themselves, to
surrender tie charter of their privileges and The
existence of their order, unreason bile stubborn
ness need ever be apprehendcd for the future.
The Church and Tythes remain, hut " ho believes
that The People of England. Will long continue the
subjects OF a tvrannica c1acton, and false and
unphilosophical system for the maintenance and
support Of Religion, when at length, their power
10 destroy, has become commensurate with their
just, general, and long cherished antipathy2 The
established Church will be uncanomized, and placed
o an equal footing with all other Christian dc
nominations; Tythes will be aboIished; the Church
Domain will revert to the People, and aid to light
en- their buTtlens. The East India monopoly re.
mains; but that will fall before the spirit Of the
age. The bloody penal code rema ms; but we take
pleasure in directing the attention of the reader
proceedings which bear upon this subject, which
denote an approaching reformation in the criminal
code of England, and which bear the high sane.
/
England-O'Connell, Lushngton, Hume, Nugcnt,
Ewart-men who have largely contributed 10 bring
about the revolution of 1892, and who with their
groat compairois who lead tho public mind of
England, can do what they please. 1t may be too
much to expect, or to hope, the total abolition of
capital punishment; but it is neither too much TO
expect or 10 hope, speedy modification of the
penal laws of England, to those principles which
philosophy and experience have dis covered to be
the true end and measure of punishment.
| England is on the march. Every indication
from that great and glorioss country, is anmating
to tho lover of Liberty, and consolatory TO the
heart of the PhilanthroPist. Tyranny and dcspot-
ism are forever extinct there Tie will Of the
People, is triumphant and supreme. Animated by
the liberalism of tho age, ana guided by the en-
| ightcned wisdom of the great'men who give tone
| o public opinion, friends of liberty and man, Eng
land will assume the lead in redressing the cypress.
cd, in liborazing insiitnticrs and speeding man.
kind in knowledge and improvement. We, who
hated her with exceeding hatred, ilayo surren-
| dered our onmiiy TO her glorious and nagnsnmous
Conduct in defence Of her own rights and resent
nont for the wrongs Of Polaud-and every Ameri.
nan who loves Poland and Liberty, must share in
tho new born sentiment