New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-02-13
FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
Ofe Neo York Stae Society for the abolition Of Capital
Punishment.

Punishment
FEBRUARY Ii, 1876.
The friends of the Abolition of Capital Punish
ment have good reason for congratuation in view oil
this Society's operations during the past year and
especially for the prospect of success which has
Frightened materially within few months Such
changes have been wrought in private sentiments,
and such zeal is at work with public opinion that
there is no longer 10 doubt the righteousness
of our cause will in due time be admitted, and JUS
lice and Humanity achieve speedy triumph in the
downfall of the Gallows. From may parts OF our
State we have received responses to the call put
forth in our Address, issued in October last bring
ing us the pleasing intelligence that heathiul
moral influence is rapidly extending, and awaking
10 earnest and united action the friends OF this Re
form.
on the ed of October last the Executive Committee
engaged the services OF MI Geo. /. Baker us Agent oil
the Society and recommended Inc opening of an Office
in this city for the publication and Issue oil papers
pamphlets, and other documents defending our prnci
ples Mr. Baker entered forthwith in duties oil his APP
pointment, and by the advice and upon the respons
bity of few individuals commenced the publication
of paper called the spirit of the Age" The enter
Prise was nobly seconded by many good friends to
$4,000 copies circulated throughout the State Cor
responsiveness have been opened with friends of the
abolition of the Death Penalty as far known. in every
large town in the State urging upon them the impor-
lance of organizing local Societies the holding OF meet
ugs for Lectures Debates the raising OF money to sus
tain and circulate our paper and other documents, the
obtaining signatures petitions to the Legislature Let
tiers also been sent 10 many Editors oil secular Jour
nails urging them TO notice our chuse-to defend or op
nose it-at any rate 10 debate it; also many Clergy
men and Lecturers asking them to speak on the subject
and cooperate with in efforts to remove the hor
rid engine of death and disgrace from our state The
result has been favorable The righ spirit mani
fes,lv aroused Most of the daily and weekly papers
throughout the State engaged IN the discussion oil the
question Lectures and debates are held IN nearly every
Town village and hamlet and the theme OF this humane
extensively discussed III private circles The
result such extensive agitation IN the midst oil such
enlightenment as exists all the State cannot be un-
favorable the accomplishment oi our most ardent
wishes Truth and right. justice and humanity, nave
nothing TO but every thing TO hope for from aga
taton where the mind is left free To investigate and de-
eide Tor itself
Petitions to the Legislature have been circulated and
very numerousy signed The subject has been referred
by that body Special Committee OF nve T. report al
the present session The Chairman OF the committee
writes US that the best feeling prevails on this subject In
the Legislature that four OF I'VE are In favor OF IN
Producing bill abolish the gAllows and substitute I'm
urisonment tor life and that there Is ground 10 nope
that such will become the law OF the State Such
consummation is most devouty to be wished we seek
for the Empire State the honor OF being his IN tue IN
ion TO take high ground favor OF the sacredness OF hu
man life, and without any equivocations as IN some
other States take down the gaows and destroy IL alo
cether There is little doubt but every other state
would follow such eminent example aooisn the
Draconic code and institute modes of punishment more
in accordance with the genius OF our tree and liberal
institutions the spirit of the we live In and the De-
nevoent character of our holy religion.
Such is brief outline of the past years laoors and
the present condition and prospects of our Society The
question now arises-What shall be donet snail We
stop here or shall grid the armor still closer anu
70 forward to the completion OF our woiK 10 stop
would be abandon good cause and lose the dement,
of what has been done. II would give the enemy cause
rejoice and would make sad the hearts OF our friends
not only in our own State, but IN other states ana
throughout the Christian world. who have struggled man
fully to abroeate the law OF retaliation whose penalty s
written in the ifeblood OF its victim and would retard.
for many years what now have a fair prospect OF
seeing accomplished in few months But radt is TO De
done iAnd hOr we 10 work 20 the best advantage
10 attain the object OF solicitudei We answer
First Our paper the Spirit OF the Age must be
sustained 1t is doing service in many ways II fur-
nishes arguments aud Information to the public in
cheap anG readable form. and be easily distributed
all over the State 1t helps keep up organization,
combine the efforts and strengthen the bonds OF the
friends and afford medium for cheap correspondence
with individual and Local Societies. It'll our paper-a
child which appeals for life and strength TO do bat
tie in good, glorious cause. Hitherto II has been
sustained partly by donations from few generous
friends and partly By subscribers whose names have
been forwarded permanent subscribers Il has been.
in great measure circulated gratutously and in all
probability it will be deemed advisable TO continue that
mode of action the attention. and convince the
judgment Of many ignorant OF the merits OF our
cause and the by which Il IS 10 be made success
full The addition of three hundred dollars the pres
ert will ensure its publication for at least one
year when If there is found occasion for continuing IL
IL will doubtless be sustained by its subscription
list Are there thirty who will gladly step for
ward and pledge dollars each desirable
AZ obiectf This question asked only OF friends in
the City, in part of the State Ii responded IA
voraby no one can calculate the good fruits OF so e1
tensive circulation Of information shall be able
70 give 1t ia publshed at the least possible
pense The services OF the Editor. who manages the
entire concern and the Socieys Agent also 10
good satisfaction is set at $780, The Office rent, with
the necessary advantages OF mailing the papers. Is the
donation OF friend MIR c. L. Suckney who also sells
all the works OF Society without commission Your
Committee believe that with this statement The PROPOSE
ton 10 raise the $500 will De cheeriuy and promptly
met and the publication OF paper b. placed on
sure basis till the object for which we labor snail be go
riousy triumphant
SECOND The establishment; OF Local Societies in all
the Counties and large towns In the State and auxiliary
to this may be made efficient il attaining the removal
OF the gsows from out the jail yards into which 1t mas
Gus thing TO look upon melting as it does. the basest
passions and leading naturally 10 the repetition OF crime
Several such Societies have been already organized
which afford great facilities for prosecuting the designs oil
this benevolent reform And We would take this oppor
tunity urge upon friends every where 10 organ
ze Societies and raise funds obtain and circuste In
tsrnatonfacts and arguments, touching ths question
OF vengeance and humanity, OF Eavsse oaosflty aho
Christian kindness toward the unfortunate and SHINING
OF our II they do but litie let that little De
done. The knowledge of their works and wants VII!
put /. in the power OF this Society correspond with