Holly Springs gazette., 1845-08-02

would ultimately be produced, since our
upland plantations. when are fast wearing
out from the influence ofcultvation might
be replaced with the far richer and more
lasting soif thus recovered from the waters
But admit that idleness is the only exPedi-
ent, if we abolish the present system OF
convict labor, as asserted by our CORES
pondeni, even that would be preferable;
for then the burden of the institution
would be borne equally by all classes, and
not thrown altogether on one. But he as
serts further, that this would be an actual
inducement with some men to commit
criine.n Now, ifthe convices were kept
in Idleness, they would of course have to
be kept also Ia solitary confinement. and
We suppose he never read The history OF
prison in which that system was pursued,
or he would never have made The asser-
ton; for il is almost as much 10 be dread
ed as the horrors Of The Inquisirion. -
Our strongest objection TO that system
would he the severity OF the punishment.
Had we the time. we might give extracts
from reports on this subject, which would
probably astoaish our correspondent. So
much for the inducement TO crime. But
we are told that It is better for the convicts
to be turned out upon the community with
the means OF an houest support than with
cut ii. This is merely an evasion of the
main Arguments. Il matters not whal
sort of labor they are employed in, if the
thing oe possible, they will gain a habit of
industry land We once were young, and
though we cannot say with David that We
are now old, yet we have seen a good
deal of the world, and we have never seen a
a man who was disposed to obtain an hon.
es. living, but that he was able TO do so,
I'provided he made use of The proper indus
try, whether he had learned q trade or
not.
We now come TO consider very briefly
the moral bearing which convict labor, as
practiced in our pententiary. has upon me-
chanics.and the associations 1t sutjecis them
TO. which we look upon as far more impor-
tant than any pecuniary consideration.
Our correspondent, admits that eff we were
compelled to associate with feons, the
question would wear different aspect"
&c. That is, he means. we suppose. that if
this we're 'he case. he himself would also GO
fer atolishng the system. But then he i'm
nediatesy asserts that such is not the fact :;
tor that the convlcts ''aTe rIgidly excluded
from all intercourse with others" Now
this is particularly rich. VINO ever charg-
ed that they exerted an immoral n fluence
upon any portion Of The community, while
they were confined within the walls of the
renitentiary2 No one, we should think,
in his senses. But what we complain of
is, that when these villains are turned ou;,
with q trade, honest men are liable to be-
come intimately associated with them and
thus they may be introduced into respecta.
bic families hence an opportunity is afford
ed them, il not of corruptiug The morals of
honest mechanics with whom they NAV be
associated, at least of ins,iIiag their perni
cious priciples into their children, who are
dearer than life itself; an opportunity. too
which such characters seldom fail 10 em>
oTace. But you may ask, have mechanics
no dishonest men among themselves, that
hey should make sucn a fuss about this
matierE True enough, they have and
heaven knows that is sufficient, without
theIr having 10 shoulder the filth and off
securing OF The whole community. and ra.
celVe INTO their society all the scoundrels
villains and cutthroals. who may he caSi
out from every other class as insufferabIa
nuisances This, again, is "eQual Drotec.
non with vengeance Our corres,on.
cent may have the modesty :o call this a
loose and extravagant aSsertiop:" bu, ba |
VIII mist be So good as TO answer ms ono
question: LII 1t Is not true, what becomes |
oi The ielons who have served their time IN |
tue pehitrniary, where they have been ma,-
"tdctured INTO mechanics, when th.v a.
tnfned out We have ore other unes,;or,
Which we wish "A. T." to answer afr
proposing which, we will pass on. Sa,.
pose sy stem OF education were np,soaa |
Ia our penItentiary, by which .he convic,S
were qualified for lawyers doctors schooI.
teachers, or any profession. Suppose aiso
'hal A. Il bad the charge OF font;sh'
ing school. and should be under the necos
sily oil employing an assistant. A man
phes Tor the situation, whom. unon ex.,
na'ion. he fnds we'll qualified. and enoaoas
li'h But after a lillle (hav;ng. io The