The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-08-24
COMMUNICATION.
EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY.


Mr. EDITOR: Under the above heading, my
attention was yesterday called to an article in
the Patriot of Monday last, stating that several
prisoners had been liberated from the State Pri-
son, by Executive Interposition, and making
public the names of said prisoners. My surprise
at the inconsiderateness of such an announce
ment, was mingled with regret, that the unfortu-
nate individuals who had for many years been
made the subjects of penal inhietion, and who,
from the operation of considerations not to be
disreearded, had but Just obtained an extension
to them of Executive mercy, should thus have
had melted out to them most cruel measure OF
additional punishment--a punishment unjust in
itself because the requirements OF law had been
satisfied or arrested as constitutonally provided
for-and unlimited in its duration, If, as is too
generally the case, the public should be governed
by cold-hearted calculation, and refuse to them
that employment essential to their obtaining an
honest existence,
That prison system which has received the
commentator of the most enlightened men oil
all nations inculcates perfect seclusion OF con-
victs, from the moment the law pronounces them
such, and as consequences flowing from this, for
getfulness of them on the part of the public, and
a non-recognition of them when they are again
restored to society. BY such system, the convict
feels that while lie is made to suffer the just pen
altes of his crime, the law yet recognizes con-
fidence in his reformation, through the means
handing Linn back to society, fitted Ter honest as
sociation and entitled to public confidence. An
enlightened public should not stop short OF the
adoption of such a system as is best calculated
to secure reformation, and with such a system in
operation, they SHOULD not be the first to sound
the alarm, and manifest fear oil its results
That the system which Maryland has adopted
has received the public sanction, infer, from
the general silence of the press on the subject
an absence of all eondempption. | assume that
those sentinels would not have rested quietly at
their posts, il they had discovered, OF appre-
hended evil II, then, the prison system of this
State be approved and its results be satisfactory,
why hold up the names of liberated conVicts to
the public gaze, as if saying, "heWarel beware,
muTde4srs and thieves ale let loose upon you~
why, by alarming public confidence, deprive
them of the opportunity of procuring honest en-
ployment, and thus force them to the perpetra-
ton of crime for subsistence? Why compel them
to resort to deception, as the veyy fiat act OF
their freedom, and cause a consequent destruc-
ton of their own self-respcct, the basis OF all
honor, by making it necessary to suppress their
names, thus held UP to intamy, end assume Gun,
els to tyhish they know themselves not entitled?
1t should not be forgotten, that, the injustice
done to them is not limited TO single city or
state The press, now too eager for idle gossip,
instead of useful substance, is on the alert for
stWatch RetVns,p dome pp in the raciest style,
forgetful that in turning witticisin, 1t may up
set moral and adorn vice. "Pohce Reports"
figure in brilliancy of coloring quite enchant-
ing to the eye-and the wide spread table "City
Matters presents a feast Of rare YiaRds for de-
PRAYED appetites, from { "Coroner's Inquest over
a newborn infant found in candle box" up to
a "Riot in the Meadows" or Grim. CON. in
high-lle" The want of proper discrimination
ON the paIt of editors, or their agents. tos often
results in commingling Of bane|ql poison with
wholesome food, and individuals also, as in the
case which has prompted this communication,
are often made the victims of ineonsiderateRess,
want OF Judgment, Oh disposition to pander for
viii tied curiosity.
DESTROYS that the press, the greatest engine Of
good or evil, as it may be used, should do 80
wrong either on principle, or to persons, it is
earnestly hoped that this publication of prison
ers' names, now for the first time INDUCED in,
shall not become an esta blished precedent, and
that the door of society shall not be closed
against those, who, subjects Of Executive elena
eHcy, may hecame deserving citizens by the ex-
ercise towards them of well-jndgins
BENEvoLENcE.