Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-06-19
CapitaI Punishment.

Capital Punishment.
A meeting Of the New York Society for the Abolition
Of Capital Punishment was held according to previous
notice on Monday evening, 9Th INST, at the Lyceum of
Natural History, Broadway.
"The Hall, says the Tribune, "wss crowded by a
large and highly Respectable auditory The Char was
taken by Chancellor McCoun, President of the Society,
who, alter a few introductory observations, introduced TO
the assembly Prof. Patterson, of PhiladelPhia, who pro-
ceeded TO give a very interesting account Of the penal le-
gislali0n Of Pennsylvania, and Of the various efforts that
have been made in that State to abolish the gaIlows. He
traced the defeat Of those efforts more particularly to the
influence of the clergy, who, he was sorry TO say, bad
stood up against this bene6oent reform. The Bible was
quoted in tins, as in other cases, on the side of wrong.
The clerical friends of the gallows, however, were be-
coming more and more unwilling 10 enter upon a discus
sion Of The question. In some instances, even the right
10 discuss the question had been arrogantly denied. But
the friends Of reform had perseuered in the face Of every
obstacle, and there we're many cheering signs Of progress,
and even ultimate triumph. Among the friends of The
cause were many of our most distinguished citizens. The
Wee President of the United States was well known TO
be a friend of the cause, and both the late and present
Governor of the State were ready to sign a bill for the
abolition Of the gallows. Prof. Patterson alluded to the
common device OF The friends Of the death penalty, Of
attempting to arrest the progress. Of the reform by de-
nonncing as in6dels those engaged IN il. But our limits
will not allow US to follow Prof. Patterson at greater
length. His remarks were deeply interesting, and were
listened to with great attention.
The Chairman read a letter from Vice President Dali
las, expressing his regret that he was not able TO be pres
ent at the meeting, but at the same time avowing his full
concurrence in the objects Of the society. He says
'Time and reflection have confirmed the opinion, cher
ished by me for many years, that IN our country, at least,
no Just cause exists for the infection of death-punish-
ment, and that it's adjustment will hereafter be looked
upon as the evidence Of the moral character OF nations,
as they shall successfully blot II from their criminal
Codes
Wendell Phillips, of Boston, was the next speaker.
lie argued against the gallows, not on the ground OF the
invIolsbiiiiy of human life, but because it had been prov
ed an utterly Inefficient means of preventing murder.
With an eloquence 10 which no report could do justice,
tic reviewed the Seriptural argument IN favor OF the gal
lows, and exposed in a masterly manner the inconsistent
cies and Incongruities Of lis defenders.
+ William l.. Garrison next took the floor, and after a
brief. but exceedingly pertinent e%xordIunl, proceeded to
give consecutively The reasons which induced bim TO
seek the abolition Of Capital Punishment. We regret
that our limits do not allow US 10 give even a sketch OF
his eloquent remarks
We congratulate the friends of this reform on the high
character Of this meeting. II was certainly a most effect
i've gathering, and cannot fail TO tell powerfully ~ FAVOR
of the good cause. As we left before the meeting closed,
we are unable to state what time it adjourned"
Alta SUBSEQUENT meeting Of the New York Society for
the Abolition Of Capital Punishment, Chancellor Nc
Coun presiding, a series of resolutions were offered and
read by Mr.. O'Sullivan, and unanimously adopted We
clip from them the following:
Resoired. That a National Society for the Abolition of
the Punishment Of Death be formed, to meet at least
once a year, the city of Philadelphia being the seat of
said Society all the members Of the State, County or
Town Societies being members thereof: And that the
officers of said National Society consist of a President;
the Presidents of the several State S0ceties for the same
object as Vice Presidents a Secretary and a CorFesPond-
ing Committee and that these officers constitute a per-
maneni Execunye Board.
Resolred, That the officers of the said National Society,
till the next election by, the members assembled in Con-
veniion in 1876, be as ~folIntys:
President.
GEORGE NJ. DALLAS, Vice President Of the y. s.
Vce President,
The Presidents Of all State Societies, those now exist
ing being,
Rnberi Rantoul, yr of Bostpn.i e
Vice Chancellor, William L. McCoun, Of New York.
Professor Henry 5. Patterson, of Philadelphia.
Corresponding Committee,
Job r. Tyson, ESQ. Professor Charles ID. Meies T;
Rev. Rufus w. GTiswofd; DIR. Henry 5. Gibbons; with
power 10 add To their own number.
RESOLVED, That the first meeting of the said National
Society be held in Philadelphia, on the first "Wednesday
in October uext, the preparations and arrangementst there
FOR being made by the Pennsylvania Society, or Commit
tee OF twenty-five.
ResoLced, That the friends Of this reform in all the
} States OF the Union, be earnestly invited Immediately to
form Societies for the agitation and discussion of this sub
isct, the Punishment of Death and TO place themselves
IN correspondence with the National Society at Philapel-
phia.
ResoIred, That money being of essential importance
! for the promotion Of Reform, by The circulation Of cheap
printed matter, all its friends are requested to send IN such
contributions as may be in their power, TO the offices ut
either the National OF State Societies.
Resolved, That the paper published at Boston, 80 Corn
hill, by the Rev. CHARLES Spear, called The Hangman,
Cor the cheap price OF one dollar a year, be recommended
to the support Of all friends Of this cause.
Resolved, That the editors of all newspapers friendly
/ Ia this cause-or, if not friendly, yet willing to bring the
D subject fairly before their readers, be respectfully request
cd 10 publish these resolutions.