Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-09-17
COMMUNICATION.
Death Punishment.

tel OF the 10Th August the orebodngS of proposed
series of articles advocating the Death punishment
system, and privilege granted you to " take the
other side, feel perfectly content TO rest the matter
there, and only desire, al your pleasure to add few
lines occasionally as the question: is discussing.
Long since haveI been DESTROYS that this question
be thoroughly discussed and be spread in its light
before the people That ii is a question involving
within the sphere Of It's operations the highest inter-
ess OF mankind, let 1t only be remembered that the
taking of human life, that which no man can give,
that, than which nothing on eaAh is more dear, and
Tor the loss of which n gaining Of the whole world
and all ITS treasures, is declared to be nothing, is the
Alpha, the Omega, and the whole basis of the system.
Certainly no subject can be Of equal importance with
that which so immediately and directly relates to the
preservation and extinction of human life Shall we
be hung, or shall we not Let it not be said: IF
gully" The innocent it is known, are often exc
cuted-a miserable spot in that system.
OF the cruelty of the death punishment a certain
portion OF the world have long since been well aware
hence the many volumes that have flowed from the first
pens IN their respective ages. 1t true, too that
amongst Its advocates are found many able and good
men. 1t Is therefore with all due difference TO their
opinions that we express our surprise finding at
this late day, this advanced stage of civilization and
humanity, this enlightened age as it is called, fos
erng hand TO preserve those lingering relics those
remaining features of savage and barbarous system,
that hourIshed most in the darkest ages. And even
here IN our little Hoosier State, small territory but
III Sou, size, OY loug, luxurious anu Gull
Inued efforts has been enabled, great measure,
TO avert this dire calamity there wanting those
within her borders, not content with past success and
shuddering sights of poor hanged until their
souls are forced into the presence of their Maker, but
who even now ere the first dawn of humanity's sun
has scarce attained the horizon of her day, would
eclipse her disk, obscure her rays, and again spread
darkness, and her cOncomtan,s of misery and
| wretchedneSs over all the land.
But let us view the premises of our friend Mr. ).
q The rulers are Gods minister's &c" Where this
quotation is found know not Suffice it to say that
being plain blunt man, it would be matter of accom-
mediation if all future quotations be particularly point
cd out, so that they may be viewed in their proper
nexion. But be this phrase what il may If the idea is
intended to be conveyed that the rulers are UNSUITABLE
in all they do, and no other inference be drawn
from the whole quotation, am not entirely certain
but that If IT proves any thing, 1t proves great deal
too much; for the same principle of reasoning Will
justify the rulers of any country in all their acts,
however cruel and oppressive they may be. The
Turk is iustifable in killing the christian man his
rulers require it. The poor Hindoo plunges headlong
his offspring into the river Gauges in obedience to
miserable superstition, the prime rules of that land ;
and millions in the old world, as well as in many
portions of southern continent, doomed to cells
of darkness and shame 10 vent the indulgence of
brutal nquisition. The falacy Of this reasoning is
clearly seen the so, 1t is established and
well known fact that scarcely single evil or vice
l II,
in age other has been held forth to the
world shining virtue and received the sanction Of
supreme rulers. Hence right would be wrong and
wrong right, Just the rulers of the land ft 10
approve or to condemn.
But perhaps Mr.. s. would confnc his remarks TO
the rulers of our own haPpy-rountry. Well, what
do they prove then Why Just this, that the wheels
of civilization rolling on and humanity uniurl-
ing her heaven born banners and that after two
of the States of this great confederacy had thrown off
a remaining vestge OF ancient barbarISIn, and de-
clared in their supreme and authoritative capacity,
that death punishment should no longer tarnish and
disgrace their halls of Justice the great praise and
everlasting honor of State, be it said, and be it
sung by millions yet unborn, and at day when so
cruel system will no longer be known on our CONT
nent, that she the land of Hoosers, shown amongst
the first of those dispellng the clouds of darkness and
gloom that for centuries together cast so Notifying
an aspect the pages of history. She has, Mr..
s. admits virtually abolished the death punishment
throughout her limits, and that too by her rulers
Gods ministers. Therefore taking Mr. 81 principle
of reasoning, he and all his host should be entirely
content, and submit to supreme dciatlon, without
murmur, even the InSlnuatIOn OF lnadvertency IN
Gods ministers.
Again, apprebend the gentleman has in his magi-
nation attached the greatest possible degree OF pun
isbment to choking and strangling with ropes poor
mOrtas suspended between the heavens and the earth
What has given to this mode of chastisement great
pain we know not. One thing, however is certain,
it has gained general credence IN the world. In the
DAYS of yore life was taken for the smallest offence
For grea ter ones greater punishment was known
so death was the inevitable result of all crime. Let us
examine this position Either it is designed 10 nfict
PAL in this life, it in the life to come.
If in this life, first upon the body, then the mind.
What then is the quantum Of pafh endured by the
body being hung by the neck till dead In the
case of Barnett life was extinct in about 20 minutes
after the bolt drawn. And this far longer than
usual Now in all candor, we ask whether not SO in
100 of the human species do not suffer pains equally
as excruciang, and for much longer time in simply
dying natural death, unaffected by ropes drops, bOs
and axes Therefore as it IS appointed unto all
men die" those prolonged suiferlngs, so COM
mon in death bed scenes, when nature, Of her own
accord surrenders up her inhabltan are only aevl-
aied bv those who SirenuOusy contend Tor the most
powerful pains as incident their favorite system.
If the punishment is designed to affect the mind in
anticipation and which IN fact Is the greatest pain
we possibly conceive connected with the whole
process why even then the time is so short from the
sentence TO the execution, and affected by so many cir
cumsiances, as by means to afford any thing like
certain mode of punishment. Perhaps the criminal
has conceived lis sins forgiven, and forthwith reJoces
in hope of eternal glory. Perhaps he harbors, as no
doubt is often done, the hope OF escape, even up 10
the last moment of his allotted exisence so that the
whole scheme for mental pain falls almost entirely to
the ground.
Now if the other position be taken, and it be de-
signed to secure punishment in future state by cut
ting the wicked off in their sins, pray the God OF
wonders to look in tender compassion, aud extreme
mercy, upon our past niquities. The idea Is loo
revolving to human nature TO be harbored for moment
# not punishment but happiness beyond the grave,
be designed, then the pains and sulrrIngs so much
spoken of prove to be everlasting and eternal joys
Now we ask where Is this extreme anguish the most
faverite and much-harpedon themi of the death pun
ishment system! There is undoubtedly an ample
manifestation of horrors and shuddering incidents
of these we sec far than of actual pains and