The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-04-05
EXPULSION OF POLISH EMIGRANTS.
From Prussia, we learn that all Polish emigrants
who had taken part in the Revolution. had been
ordered to leave the country ina fortnigh.
CO M M U MIC TIONS
For the Spirit of Democracy

| ly honest, to come out and justify the
laws relating to Capital Punishment.
"PHILos" has my sincere thanks for
the reply. 1t is IA source of qualification
to know that my former remarks have
had the desired effect, in awakening the
dormant faculties in the mind of an
individual, who, | suppose, is able to
raise the curtain that has shrouded me.
and those who think as | do, in lgnn-
rance, and if we are in error, expose it
and set us right. The object, as was
before remarked, is to arouse the latent
energies, of not only those whose in
terest might force them to condemn the
abolition of Capital punishment-but
those who have but one object-one
mo'ive--the general welfare of their
fellow men, in the establishment of such
laws, and such only, us are founded
upon principles consistent with and o.
bedlent to the law of God.
That punishment is due to the often
der, even for crimes ofa trihing char
acler, is freely admitted. 1t is there
fore, unjust for our friend "PhiIos" to
brand us either directly or indirectly,
with endeavoring to abolish all kinds Of
punishment. That punishment ought
to be inflicted, in proportion to the
magnitude of the crime, is the law of
God; but that law which demands ite
| fur life, can view in no other light
than as being the law of the Devil
Savages gave it brth-superstition era
deled it-and nothing but the insatiate
thirst for filthy ucre, props up the tot
tering fabric, which is fast vending its
way to the repository of things obso-
ete.
While the right of a human judicato-
ry to direct the amount OF punishment
that shall be inflicted is admitted; the
right of any human tribunal to pro-
nounce the sentence Of death is abso-
lutely denied, for this would necessarl-
ly imply IL right to execute. The gen
tIeman seems to think that the first
thing to be considered, is the right to
lnfict Capital punishment, and con-
cludes that if the right can be estab-
lshed the expediency will follow as Il
matter of course. In this, however, |
i'm bound to differ with him. 1t up
on the question Of right that ] wish 10
meet him. If he can establish unequi-
vocally, the right to infict this kind of
punishment, the battle wi in all proba-
bility cease, without discussing the ex-
pediency.
1t will be necessary for us, in the
first place, TO inquire into the nature of
Governments, how and for what pur-
pose they were formed. Governments
we're established by man for the gener-
al good, prosperity, and happiness of his
race. That this is the end for which
governments were instituted, it is pre-.
sumed will not be denied; this being
the end of mans creation. would
like to know wherein the individual is
benefited, who is thus instantly hurled
from the stage ofaction, cFrrying with
him all his pollution and sin; his hands
yet stained with the blood OF the mur-
dered, to take up his abode among dew
lis and damned spirits? God save the
American people fro n the sin and dis
grace of longer liberation OF such un-
holy practices. With the admission
that governments were instituted by
man, it may be laid down as Il general
principle, that they cannot poss bly, be
invested with more power, than MIN
their creator, possessed, without vio-
Iation of justice. The question that
would naturally arise then, would be
something like this. Have men the
natural right to commit murder? Ger
tainl y they have not. If they had the
ri,.ht. it would be a papable usurpaton
for a human tribunal to sentence IL man
to death. for doing that which he had
the lnalenable right to do. Since il is
the question of right we are consider
ing, it is necessary to 20 back and en-
deavor to ascertain what is right and
what is wrong, or wha. are the naturai
rights of individuals. The first and
highest natural right of man is iife, the
least infringement of which, is at war
with the eternal principles of justice.
The second is liberty, without which
life would be curse instead of a bles
sing and the great object of mans Gre
alton ,leated.
1t is sail, that the murderer "forfeits
his life to justice" But is the law as it
now exists in our Statute books, JUS
tice? If its antiquity constitutes lis
justice. then verify it may be just. My
friend "PhiloS' has admitted that it was
beyond the jower of '.human wisdom
to make laws just. How can it be pos
| sihle. then. that man forfeits his life to