New-York tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1841-1842, 1841-09-23

dDuudaIt!N autt Gdlt u h'ti' tHc il"uSO' 49, "
ton rather more so, in fact. than the we have
Just settled. 1t Is question of eXpediency hgh
principle j. not involved in it as in the other
But, alas for poor human nature. these are the
very reasons why so muchill-bluod j., often aroused
in It's discussion. ttle good nature, and Z great
deal Of good sense may determine II; the former
| insist bring 10 the discussion; 10 The lat
ter | make particular prctensIons-especially
as wiser men have said that i. subject raught
with difficulties" Yet here some things that
may be thought of, when considering the case.
I. The employment should be regulated By the
education of the convict. If he has trade or
calling BIZ which ne can be made TO support himself
while undergoing the penalties Of the law, let him
be employed about that. To this no one cau rea-
>onably object. The man IS at his trade; wha,
matters it TO The honest men of that trade. whe-
Their he pursue il of choice compulsOn No
new compcti,ionis brought against them
> Regard should be had to the health and the
ca capabilities of the individual. And il in conse-
quencc of disability, he cannot pursue the calling
TO whco he has been educated, injustice i done
to any man hy directing him to that of which hr !,
capable. This change under necessity, Is what
honest men have to make every day; AID no more
injury is done to the trade OF profession into which
Il man is thus introduced by csmpulson, than IT
he enters it OF choice.
g. Consideration must also be given the con-
dtion of confinement, in which the subject Is now
placed. He may before committed. have been II
farmer, for example; plainly he cannot plough nor
plant reap nor gather in prison. And Yet, the
county has n right to his labor whilst there and
to that description OF labor, too which Will COM
pcnsatc them ior the expense 10 winch he has
subjected them. Chat expense is great, 1t con-
sists in paygs Judges sherts. iucicS and counsel;
in building court houses, in erecting and maintain
ing pri,ons.) His labor, then, must be changed
of ncccssity-bpt il ii can conveniently be 30
something that is connected with subsidiary 10
his calling, SO much the better for ALL
4. If the individual has no trade or calling.
then he should be taught In selecting for
him, in addition to the considerations which we
have already said >hould be taken into the ac-
count his connections in society and future pruba-
bic relation to it. should be regarded.
The object of teaching him Legitimate way Of
earning his bread is twotod first tha when ne :
discharged he may to homes; and honorable
industry and second that he NAV pay bis way
whilst i. confinement. The first is the more i'm
porlant object and therefore that branch OF indus
try which he would be likely To pursue, should be
selected for him. For if he is forced TO another
then or his discharge he would b. likely TO revert
10 his old tricks. Ii should hc that too, in which
he would stand the best chance oi being sustained
by society.
Here / NAV notice question which me-
chanics have started; . Why do YOU not make
these men lawyers doctors, or parsons, az well as
mechanics p The reply, which, at first blush
should make, the question addressed To me
personally, would BE something like this. Ii the
convict were taught the law whilst IN prison, he
would only come ont the more accomplished rogue
aud a. no one would cmpov him. desperation
would drive him 10 crime OF perhaps more extern
sivc injury, than tina, for which he first >IiieIed.-
Were he taught medicine. why II would only be
increasing the number of quackS-but, by the w1y,
this nigh, do for nothing seems 10 thrive 50
we'll as humnabug pills, everlasting pa>ters corn
salves, life elixers and head washes However,
will not press the point Is for making priests in
prsou-perhaps, nv good ca,echsl, this nav ,uit
your creed but it do ut mine. But not belonging
myself to either II these learned professions.
VIII leave them to do battle in their own behalf.
No; in sober earnest. give the man a calling IN
which he can work with scme reasonable prospect
of being sble 10 support himself, and OF securing
the countcnance Of those who ap willing 10 AID
the needy and the repentant.
II is very strange TO me how any RICH; thinking,
honest man can suppose that his reputation
suffers in consequence of rogue being indicted
iuIo ms employment or profession. - Act well
yoar part there. all the honor lies.
Rogues and dishonest men are TO be found. the
world over IN all trades AID cslIinss. Why. on
this principle 1t would derogate from man,
character to hive IN the same place. to drink from
the same fountain. TO speak the same language,
4 ielon. No; the notion is prePos,ersus. Let
the homes, man show forth his honesty, whilst the
villain shows forth his yiainy; Time and E;er-
niIy will alike testify TO the honor OF the one, ami
the infa,ny of the other. And the circumstances
IN which the character has been developed. Will no
more receive the credit Of; The result than will lhs
deep for the swittue>s with which the gallant
ba'k glides over It's welding surface. I. !. Y.