New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-02-25
THE TRIBUNE.
Prison Discipline.


STARE LcNATIc ASYLUM, made TO the Legislature.
January 80, !eln
R-,on7 OF TIE PENNsYLvAN1A HOSPITAL THE
lxsASE. for the year l5+5
We know printed pages that convey more en-
oouragement as 10 the progress and aspirations oil
the human mind than those of these Reports
Itisno longer only beings distinguished for shining
attributes OF uumistakable excellence that can IN
sore their brother with faith In their possession
Of immortal souls. 1t is not only the eye OF the
poet or that Of private personal love- that can pierce
through the thick crusts tina, have hid and dimmed
the level to see in him whom the world has cast oil
e fellow man. who may be helped. who may be
s.yed,-who may even be aroused to help and save
himself There symptoms that mankind at
large begin TO have some sympathy with the divine
love Of Jesus, who redoubed his encouragements
TO the prodigal son instead Of Furnishing him for
pas, ,ransgressions, and was not afraid TO preach
that even at the eleventh hour men might come 10
work in the vineyard. Harsh bisos may sheer at
this spirit OF mercy as sickly sentimentality, but
the spark has been struck, and nothing daun,ed the
fire CLOVIS, grows, rises and begins TO cast light
around
The Repor, of the Prison Association and that Of
toe Inspectors ofMount Plcasan-(shade of Bunyan !!
what G strangely chosen name-or is it perhaps an
omen of better times 2)-breathe some&hat OF that
genuine philanthropy which cannot see in MAH
merely social nuisance, because he has gnorantly,
weakly or wckedly offended against society. Those
who have understood and obeyCd the laws are not
afraid to look into the that have made their
brotherr outlaws. They not afraid tina; Gin will
seem less hateful or less noxious, because may be
bocl, b.raI jtnr ton had cd q
corrup,ing influences of halfcvilized state. They
are not afraid TO do all they can TO help fallen
brother man to rise, BY putting his life under more
heathful conditions both of body and mind. ltthey
,hjnk themselves better and better situated than
others it is not in the b8sphemous temper OF {" My
God thank thee tha; am not as other men are,
but with desire TO make their privileges avail for
the guardianship and instruction OF those less favor
ed The God TO whom they aspire is not o God OF
Wrath, Master Owner. righ,fu possessor OF wrath
-one who claims it az his rghtfu prerogative,
buta God Of Love.
Attention is paid to making the prison maintain
itself and to maintaining discipline there. not merely
10, the sake of the rest of the world but of the
prisoners themselves Yea, sick, brutalized, con-
,sminated though they be- they also shall be esteem
poSeioiS Va
sefrecoverv allowed them both in the prison and
on leaving it.
The suggestions as to supplying the prison with
pure water, with instruction, with library, are all
harmonious TO our eye nil expressive OF that wiser
nsecf the claims of humanity which redeems cur
age despite its myriadvices aud businesses
We regret that the repor, Of the Matrcn of the
Female Department at Sing-Sing is not in form
accessible TO the general reader. This lady shows
,hepowers of her large and clear mind no less in
statement of her reasons than in the conduct they
induce The simple narrative of the state Of things
ander her government is worth volumes of argu
aent Nav she never turn aside from this cause
ill she has made mark that cannot be effaced upon
is history
We give some extracts from her report;
1T may be said that this mode of treatment will les
the of punishment and thereby diminish the
restraint which intended impose upon the tenden-
e!es crime. But some experience and much rehec-
ton have convinced me that his apprehension Is ground
lss The character of criminals is for the most part
strongly marked by the predominance OF propensity
over all the better powers, OF the females especially,
slarse majority have been reared and hahituated q
eenea of violence and depravity that would themselves
e,he better constituted minds Years
Of such excitement have prepared them 10 enjoy only
scenes ike those III which they hsve previously parici-
pAed Thus trained aggression and resistance the
spontaneous continued fruits OF their minds They
Come TO The prison therefore. prepared to war against
physics measures and the supremacy OF animal cour-
se aud to derive their highest enjoyment from such
contest.
while in this condition, no punishment could be
More than the unseen quiet restraints Of moral
Vsem. which furnish no excitement 10 their resisting
hcues otter provocation endurance. open no &C
OF injuries 10 be reveuSsd ON some future occa
hoo The mental inRnion OF this period the presence
Ind supremacy Of influences with which the mind has
noympaihy the monotonous character of the life, con
Tsset with the intense excitements which have prece
oea the absence OF all stimulus 10 the physical AS well
a,es mental energies circumstances. the combined
severity OF which sufficient to answer the s,rons
! CO. ish In the saving influences OF punishment
YET this is the lot which inevitably awaits all whose
ives have been thus spent and the more perfect the
@or government of The institution, the severe is
s'o those who remain in this condition An occasional
UoN o! passion ana resort 10 coercion occasional
'ene " which deprsyy makes itsclt heard in foul Ian
sasse or deeds of violence are holidays TO them Some
ssng of the old life is again felt in their veins;
Ung OF the old spirit Is reSiuded The countensnce
20 entire manner indicate the yiyifying influences
saeh such scenes have cXerted over them
But primary object o; our system is 70 cause
a state be superseded BY greater activity In
&c moral aud intellectual powers kiudc purer and
sore elevated desires in the mind and ,hus rc-cres,e
ne capacity IN the convict 10 derive pleasure IRON
s2eaces wl;h which she Is surrounded The progress
'n condition is slow and tedious. and when reached
sewy awakened sensibtles are far from being
happiness having nothing III the past and so little
toe uture which feed Indeed The kecnsst suffer
the ncarcerated ever experienced thstw hch
Tvs from these sensibites when the horrers OF for
years pass in review before the mind and the future
ssshs equal terrors when they shall tad themselves
sso1s protection without sympathy. oyerw hciined
ossrsce and the consciousness OF guilt But pain
aoagh De. it is The first indication Q: promise. the
,Ssiep In the path OF reform. Ii is the price which
Nao are susceptible OF Improvement must pay for the
psive tranquility and sense ct coInfor, which our
Zen en furnishes 10 those who are capable OF enjoying
- Thus the eeu;icr features Of this system do NOT
IA @ sources Of comfort until there is an adaptation
so s,ve them Incentives also, and sds u reioruIs
Wien The individual lie t,irly out in this path,
OF ~ myset to indulge doub; the character
s,cs eSmen, most favorable for lis sound contiuU
wo,Is DC ways of virtue be made pleasant I we
teyss A,s The wanderer accept ouy invitation 10 wax
,.s.aA. Comfort peace. sympathy. commends,on and
10 are the natural fruits OF integrity and well doing
e.s uee Can they be less necessary 10 sustain the
le,s i. are struggling deserve them Are they
mus, due TO the grss, efforts which such persons
nru,.1 'dsn TO the conduct which hews from the
eaoice OF n better constitution
n'es this treatment these are the results:
e following abstract violations ana punisameas.
ars aasias these remarks may not be on. Of piaee