Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1846-04-20
ABOLITION OF CAPITAL PCNIsuuFNr


CHARACTER. with The very name of New Eaa,,d ~.
are apt to regard the Yankee as devoid Of .o,h....
coo'' sasacios and altogether under the influence r
sun; not liable 10 be carried away by impulse or m.v.,
ny eoveiles Whether this was an ORIGINAL mis.,.,...-
'l"n o the characteristics Of our eastern b,e,h,.
WHEELER they have undergone change certain il i. IA
such notion OF them at present is entirely c,,,....
we consider the New England people wLe,b., =, h,,
or IN ther s'ares as the mus, nercural If b;o, ~.
most excliable-and HE mos, CAPABLE If MAN.
qnle but enduring enthusiasm. These 49,. ,..,;,:'
which, united 10 indomitable iad.strv and ,,.....
account lot The great things II which they ar, c.c,h,.
"he'her as individuals Communities T,, MI. -.
etah''y. this cap biliiy If being possessed b, !, i;
des, which Miss MARTINEAu SO much ..rrd,.. a.
thinks Characteristic OF The hole American neo,,.
leads 10 much mischief sometimes Hence il i, Ma
England is the soil from which have sp,vuv ali The nur
ous novelties and porIentous excilemeas bicb Of IN.
years have disturbed society," and in some cases. threat,
ened 10 sap its very foundations And when xs
speak q" New Eng we do not confine our meaning
10 The geographical division, known by that name. but
include the colonies VI New York, Ohio, Indiana &c
our limits do not permit us TO notice, with any par,;e~
nafy, ,'lhe OF The exciteens gotten up within IN.
last twenty i've years We believe faithful narrative
oi some OF them would be Of the highest interest 10 The
as curious manifestations Of the working ot The
human mind, as Influenced by peculiar state VI socje.
". Inc history OF The Anti Masonic exc,iemen, will
one oay be deemed worthy The pen Of The aest writer,
~ Is su'Jeel which deserves The ampesi illusrs on-
A"e" we have The Abolition excitement; the FoUn.
hiER'rE doctrines carried into practice; the Liberty n>,
w tue non descrPl faction Of which GARRISON il thu
ead'r, whose doctrines are pretty much ,bse uf The
nun monarchy Ten Of The seventeen centory and If
course, Incompatible with he existence Of civil govern,
nen'; The Anti Reo, combination; Native Americansm.
The bran bread and anti lea and coffee farlim and ,hs
ultra Temperance movement, &c. &c. All these ~.
combinations which do no, content themselves ,xi,h .;
l"g' by moral suaslon. at sucal and moral nfrm In,
boldly avow the object Of accomplishing their ends BY OBJ
tanning political power.
One OF the latest ofsprngs Of this state Of men,a, ~.
uvl'y, morbid philanthropy and perverted moral sens.
is movement hich has for its object the aboliiou Of
the punishment Of death in all cases Whatsoever A,
association embracing great deal of olii station ,.
en, wealth and respeciabily has been formed 1, h,.
lis organs and It's travelling agents aud abundant fund.
BY means OF which avery decided mpr. sson h,. n.
ready been II AIDE upon the public mind We believe
II counter movement be not made -w hrh is M, n,,h
adjective years will not have elapsed before ,he ,bor
ton OF capital punishment is rried in nearly all tho
Eastern and Northern States The question is now bs
Tore tie Legislature oi New York, and was discussed
fully during the present session Of the Legislature Of
Massachusetts. upon bill 10 change The punishment Of
arson, from death To imprisonment for life. The bin
was regretted We believe the Legislature Of New Jer.
sey had bill for the abolition Of he punishment Of death
10 all cases, under consideration, and jeced il BY
bare majority 81,
We have great respect for TIE motives Of many Of
llose engaged IN this movement. We are persua dad
,hey are actuaed BY the purest phllanthrophy, But
there are lew things which regard dangerous
t'an legislation based upon philanthropy, 80 called
we are by no means In favor Of bloody cude but
should look with unaffected dismay the abnl,ion Of
capital pnnsfmen!s III all cases. What has been tho
Praclira effect Of The successive mlealpns of The crm4
mai code OF England aud Of most Of The States u This
Un'on Has II been attended by dininuiun Of crime
va The contrary CRIME Is eaIully On the Increase
"ha' 'hen may We expect when the punishment Of
Death is no longer 10 be dreaded by HE wYong der The
argument that, If the penalty is SEVERE or repue>
nan to public opinion. the cuIpri will escape altogether
ny the jury aoqung in contempt Of law and evidence
- 'e one seheray used IN favor of mid penal code.
'"us' j." seems oe'ier argument against tho trial by
jury Hearted to It's natural and legitimate extent, IL
would lead eventually the abolition of all punishment.
whatever. For si,inore diseased moral feeling in
'he cofnmnny 1--WE years hence, might Il ad jury up.
on me same principle 10 consider imprisonment 10, life
o' '"f len years, punishment as disappointment TO .
gwen offence as would the penalty Of sas gal.
lows The great evil is The NAV kish sensbility and
perverted moral sense, which days lead people 10
sympaihise with the gully Offender instead Of standing
up Tor The violated majesty Of the Law. The mornent
feioy embrues his hand in The buod Of fellow crea,
lure or commits other offence scarcely less heinou,
public sympathy invoked in his behalf lie ia risitrd
~ MS cell and treated as martyr, rather than as cul-
prt lie goes into COURT sustained by the consciousuess
OF The admiration and good ishes Of most Of the crowd
lie AIMS during The trial at melo dramatic effect Ey-
cry word and action is studied with reference 10 tho
press The disgusting details of the evidence are pub.
llshed and read by thousands and men and womeo at
sance mud themselves attracted by species Of fas-
'aion, to watch MS fate with an absorbing interest,".
The Ingenuity Of his lawyers in making black appear
whites and the sympathy Of the jury with The popular
feeling lead 10 verdict Of not guilty. though no reason
able doubt can exist Of his guilt. Ills a,qutal is
hailed with delight by the mob. And he emerees sgan
into society, with a doubt, which may be pardoned,
whether he has NO, improved his standing and pros.
pects OF advancement in life, by vioalun of The LAWSUIT
God and maa. This is no exaggerated or fancifu pic.
'ure. lis original was SEEM within the present month.
IN boslon, IN the of lIRRELL
we really fear. that the erroneous notions which pies
vail SO generally, upon the subjects If capital punish.
eot and Executive cemency, not corrected, will lead