Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-06-05
CapitaI Punishment.

A meeting Of the citizens Of Union county, convened
at the Court House in Liberty, on Saturday, The 10Th day
of May, lo4o, for the purpose Of discussing the question
of capital punishment, aud soliciting the Governor TO
commute the sentence Of death passed upon one Hosea
Cook, at the spring tenn, Io45, OF the Union Circuit
Court, into Imprisonment for life IN the State prison. Tie
meeting was organized by calling L. Burnside 10 the
chair, and appointing JoHS H.. ELDER secretary. The
meeting was then addressed by JoHN 5. RElD, Esq af
ter which the following resolution was adopted:
ReSOlUed, That this meeting do most respectfully soil
cit the Governor to commute the sentence of death, pass
eo upon Hosea Cook by The Judges of the Union Circuit
Court at the last spring term, into Imprisonment for life
at hard labor in The State prison of Indiana, winch COM
mutation Is solicited on the following grounds, VIZ:
LIST. On account of the minority of the prisoner at the
time the murder was alleged 10 have been committed by
him, he being then emily eighteen or nineteen years, and
prior TO the time of his being charged with SAID offence
the said prisoner had borne a fair character among his
neighbours; as appears from the very best information we
have received.
%. Because, from an examination of the testimony in
the case in which said Cook was convicted, the principal
evidence being that of hs own confessions, Qhe truth Of
which he deniesO aud which was obtained from him, If
not illegally, at least under promises of confidence and
assistance of escape, and believing that there is n possi-
biIry of his not being guilty of murder IN the first de-
gree, as found by the Jury.
Sd. Because The confessions of the said prisoner made
to Walker, the chief witness, were contradictory IN them
selves and not conclusive against the prisoner, So us not
to admit Of a possibility of a doubt of his innocence.
On suggestion, the number present favorable TO the
adoption Of the foregoing resolution and reasons, were
counted and found 10 be seventy.
The following was then presented by VIM. Haughton,
which, after discussion by VIM. Haugbion and Judge Ca
son. was unanimously adopted, to wit:
WHEREAS, we live IN an age of the world that may
emphaIically be called an age of reform in philosophy,
religion, aud government, and, in fine, in all that tends
TO elevate man in the scale of being and fit him to occu-
DIV that important and disni6ed sfalion for which he was
designed by his creator; and, whereas, the spirit of our
holy religion is totally at variance with the spirit of war,
revenge aud retaliation in any possible shape or form, and
at all places and ON all and every occasion breathes the
spirit of lorbearance and peace and good will to man,
wherever scattered, however situated and under all pos
sible circnInstances; and whereas, The government of
the United States, and of the State of Indiana, Processes
to be based on the spirit and temper Of christianity, how
Whatsoever these governments may deviale therefrom in
practice Be it therefore
ReSOlred, That capital punishment for any offence, be-
ing in opposition TO the spirit and not sanctioned by the
letter, should by every enlightened conimnnit be dis
carded as a relic of barbarism, which only exists because
the attention of the community has not heen reused to
examine its many deformIties.
Resolved further, That our Senators in the General As
sembly, and our Representatives, when elected, be in
structed 10 use all proper efforts for the repeal of that
law of our State which inficIs capital punishment.
On motion,
RESOLVED, That John s. Reid, Esq, be appointed to
wait on his Excellency, James Whitconb, and present
The proceedings Of this meeting.
On motion, Jt
ResolDed, That the publishers of the Journal, Sentinel,
and Freeman, indianapolis the American, BrookyilIe
the Jefersonian and Palladium, Richmond be request
ed to publish The proceedings IN their respective papers.
JOHN Ii. ELDER, Sec'y. E. BURNSIDE, Prest.