The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-02-06

classification according 10 crimes commit
ted, but according 10 obedience, and lndi>
cations of a sincere wish to reform.
Mr.. Edmonds might have added that
Mrs. Farnham and her associates, are
well-prncipIed, intelligent women. who
do not discharge their duties merely as
means of earning living, but who feel
sincere Christian sympathy for The UNI
fortunate beings entrusted 10 their cure
The result is, that they have gained their
confidence and love, as well as their re-
spect. One OF the keepers told ne that
she nov seldom had occasion TO resort 10
anything harsher Than to say, 1t will give
me great pain and trouble il you do not do
as tell you. lam trying 10 do you good
and to make you as happy as clrcumsIan-
ces permit. Surely then, you will not
wish to give me pain She said it was
rare indeed. tina! this simple and affection.
ate appeal was unavailing. Alas for the
wrongs that have been done TO crushed
human hearts, under The mistaken idea of
terrifying aud tormenting sinners out OF
their sins. Satan nerer cast out Salan.-
We take back precisely what we give;
hardness for hardness, haired for haired,
seI6shness for sel6shness love for love.
William H. Charming spoke eloquent
ly in behalf of the objects of the associa-
ton. He urged his hearers to remember
the diseased organization, the bad parent
age, the evil influences that had surround
ed most of these erring brothers and sisters
from their infancy. Society having failed
in its duty to protect their innocent years,
and train them into the paths of virtue,
then branded them for their first sin, and
flung them forth, contemptuously into cir
cumsIanceS, where it requireth almost
more than human strength not to sin again.
He appealed to their own hearts; what
had prevented them from falling2 Was
it not, under the providence Of God, owing
to the atmosphere o! protection and love
that surrounded their childhood To
The social sympathy that cheered and
strengthened their after years! He be-
sought them to take this matter seriously
to heart; 10 reflect we'll upon their duties
toward those less fortunate y situated than
themselves. II men would expend so
much labor and treasure, 10 dig up broken
pillars, and fragments of statues, mere
wrecks Of beauty, that enanated from the
soul of man, would they not be willing 10
make some exerton to dig up from the
dark ruins Of the past, the buried human
soul itself? and from the fragments, with
patient love, restore it again 10 the fair
of manhood
Among several affecting incidens, he
one that PARTICULAR J impressed
me. A gentleman visiting the Eastern
Penien,iary in PennsylvhnIa, was allowed
10 converse with one OF the prlsoners.-
He asked the convict, who had been iu
Two different prisons, what mode of prison |
discipline commended itself 10 his reason
as the best. With trembling voice and
fearful eyes, he answered: Il have heard |
IF but one judge, sir, who rightly knew
how TO treat sinners. 1t was he. who said,
Go thy way and sin no more.'
Isaac T. Hopper, whose life has been
one long lesson of practical beneyoleuce.
related few highly interesting incidents
which occurred while he was one OF the
of the Philadelphia prison. The
cordial response he received from the au-
1ience showed how ripe the public mind |
IS for humane aud salolary changes in the
rearmenl OF criminals.
He said that Mary Norris, middle,
aged woman who had been frequently res
committed TO prison, on one occasion beg
ged him TO intercede for her, that she might
go out. am afraid thou wouldst come
back Soon,' said he.
Very likely, | expect 10 be brought
back soon, she answered, with s!olid ms
difference OF manner.
Then where will be the use of letting
hee out2'
Il should like to go out 1t Would
seem good TO feel free lutte while, in
he open air aud the sunshine.
But il thee enjoys Liberty so much,
why dost thou alo" lhyseIflo be- brought
back again?'
How can helpit? When l go out
of prison, nobody will employ me. No
respectable people will let me come into
their houses. l must go 10 such friends
as | have. If they steal or commit Other
offences, | shall be taken up with them.
Whether am guilty or not, is of no con-
sequence; nobody will believe me inno,
cent They will say: She is an old
convict Send her back to prison. That
is the best place for her. o, yes, l ex.
pect 10 come back soon. There is no use
nf M trUinu IN do batar
Much affected by her tone of utter hope.
lessuess, Friend Hopper said But if
could obtain steady employment for thee
where thou wouldst be treated kindly,
and be paid for thy services, wouldst thou
really try to behave well?'
Her countenance frightened. and she
eagerly replied: Indeed I would
The kind hearted inspector used his |