The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-05-17
ITO be continued.]
COM MUNICATlONS.
For the Spirit Of Democracy.

mnation in my mind in relation to what course
prudence would dictate to be pursued in reference
to the further conducting of the discussion, or,
rather, apparent discussion, between Mr.. "M.
and myself II was, at the commencement, anti
cipated that the gentleman was serious when he
proposed to remove the veil Of superstious bgotry
from the minds of those whom he styled "slaves
to custom;" but his succeeding productions estab-
sh one of two facts, viz: either that he was not
serious in his undertaking, or, that he has been
greatly mistaken in his abilities 10 effect the pro-
posed object the latter of which Is much the more
probable.
II is, indeed, quite synoptcal method OF repu-
dating prevailing practices and established laws
by referring them all to the one class, which is
presumed to be indebted for its origin TO the tyran
CUSTOM" 1t is wonder that some of our modern
philosophers and writers on criminal law, do not
call the machinery of the universe to halt, and
bid its various parts to change their wonted course
on the principle that they have continued in their
present orbits so long. They appear TO have no
hesancy in attempting to change the order Of
justice, which is equally as inconsistent as an at
tempt TO annihilate the powers OF attraction and
hurl sum- moon, and stars into the abyss Of illimt-
able space since they were both established by the
same almighty word The same almighty being
who pended the hosts of heavenly bodies in their
spheres and bid them run their course, has also said
that the murderer shall have his "blood shed, and
that "by man." However. from Mr. M. s preten-
sons in his first communication, the hope was
fondly INDUCED that he would make some develope-
ments beneficial to civil society in explaining the
true meaning of the declarations Of Deity, but
when his succeeding productions could only he
received at the expense Of abrogating scrptural
injunctions by disregarding the intended meaning
or, in fact, the only rational meaning, of some
passages and placing them in opposition to others,
manifestedy and pointedly condemning his posi-
tons, the alternative of rejecting his code appear
ed preferable TO that Of abandoning the oracles of
truth, since one contradictionin divine revelation
would be, to my mind, sufficient evidence upon
which to reject the whole as being "cunningy
devised fable.''
1t may be taken as a maxim, unlimited in its
application, that a change Of policy in any admin
istration, necessarily implies change in the will
of the administration. The experience OF every
individual cannot but establish the truth of this
principle to the satisfaction OF every reflecting
mind, since the presumption that mutation can
occur in the actions OF free agent without cor
responding one in the will, can only be established
upon the principle that there is no connection be-
tween the votion and actions of a sentient being;
an absurdity so palpable that one moments refcc-
ton will discard lit forever Upon this hypothesis
we conclude that if ever law sanctioriDg capital
punishment. had the divine sanction, that this sane
ton cannot be Withdrawn without a change in the
, will of Deity. To those, then, who recognize the
Scriptures as being divine revelation, no further
research is necessary than merely TO read the spe.
cial obligations upon this subject therein enjoned
Hear the express iEjunctions, "Morcover ye shall
take no satisfaction for the life Of the murderer
which is guilty of death''-"For blood it deficit
the land, and the land cannot be cleansed of the
blood thatis shed therein, but by the blood of hin
, that shed it," These and the corroborating pas
sage in Genesis, TO which reference has been made
, can only be cancelled by denying the whole scope
of revelation; for it is asserted without fear o
successful contradiction, that there are not tw'
contradictory moral injunctions from the beginning
6 of the pentateuch to the end of revelation. Blu
it appears like fighting against man of straws II
reply TO the arguments adduced by Mr. M. or rath
er the confederation of words which the deludet
man thought were arguments. Reason appears t
dictate as rule that such absurdities only deserve
refutation as have sufficient plausibiity in then
as to be calculated to deceive the partial observer
f 1t is presumed, however, that, had this rule bee
observed, few of the arguments used Of late in ia
vor of the abolition of capital punishment woul
have been noticed In substantiation OF whlc
assertion, let US notice one Of sensitive friend
i most plausible allegations, pleas, arguments,
= whatever other name or appellation is compatbl
to their character He, after returning from loft
isht into the fancfu regions of eloquence, prouc
ly seated upon the throne of reason gives utteranc
ID to the excogitated argument, "God hath said
n 'delighteth not in the death of the sinner; tn
e. latter part Of which is a scriptural quotation
w then shows that the murderer is sinner and ther
az fore God cannot delight in his death. Here the
re he has the inevitable conclusion that Deity is
c. rectly opposed to Furnishing the midnight assass
,ff with death, merely because he is sinner b'
c. would rather that he would come unto Him or
e. live. Live how long' Certainly eternaly, stint
or time could not come in his natural life in whit
Ic he would be any thing else than sinner II
he next conclusion, then, from the gentemans h
ne pothess, by fair deduction, is, that the slnn
to must live forever merely upon the ground OF
to being SUCH He that fears the 'dark vale al
IN shadow of DEATH should then hasten to imbrue
= hands in the blood Of bis fellow being, in ord
,r- TO remove his fears and place him bcyend the po'
in er of the skiing Of terors," for surely the amig
ar ty will not act contrary to his pleasures If q
ed temporal death Of the sinner was meant IN Z
ne former, the conclusion is inevitable that tempo
10 life was intended in the latter since there was
he direct contrast instituted by the divine pensm