Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-08-12
ANNIVERSARIES.

ANNIVERSARIES.
Anniversary Of the american Society for the Aboli-
tion Of Capital Punishment.
The following the persons elected for the ensu-
ing year officers Of this society:
President, Hon. George NJ Dallas, of Pa; Vice
Presidents, the Presidents Of the several Stale Socie-
ties; corresponding Secretary, J. L. O'Sullvan; Re-
cording Secretary, Horace Greeley Treasurer Jacob
Harseh, OF n. Y; Executive Committee, Rev. Il. c.
Upham, ID. d.. of Maine Hon. John p. Hale of n
H.; Rev. L. II. Chaplin, Of Mass; j. Stanton Gould,
of n. VI B. Rush Piumley, Of ~ j.; Hon. John
Galbralth. Of Pa; Hon. Dir. Moulon, of Ohio; Rev
z. +. Lefevre, of Wisconsin; Hon. Dir. Ratiff, Of
La; Hon. Benjamin F. Porter, Of Ala.
The members of the society met last evening in the
Apollo Saloon, Broadway. A few minutes past eight
the chair taken by RECORDER Scorr, who opened
the meeting with a few remarks
lie spoke OF the continuance of the penalty Of
death on the statute book a reproach 20 the human-
iy OF the age. He read letter from the Rev. Dr.
Ford, who was for many years Ordinary of the Old
Barley, IN which he expressed opinions, founded on
long experience and observation of the effects of diff
ferent methods of punishment. DIR. Ford would en-
tirely dispense with the gallows he argues strongly
against Its utility III any case, and insists upon the
propriey Of granting the criminal for penilence
and reformation of character.
The floor was then taken by Lloyd Garrison, who
made clever speech He argued against capital
punIShmentS, from the very circumstance that it was
admitted on all hands that the very sight of them
had the effect 10 demoralize. Even in Virginia. said
he, only twelve admitted to an execution
The less publicity given TO such proceeding, the bet
ter for the morals of the community. Why not then
abolish the gallOws altogether; why not do away
with custom cruel and bloody, that when you
practise it, you compelled. lest your example
should have bad effect upon society, to practise it
secretly! He also commended that no authority for
capital punishment could be found in the teachings
of Christ and aGverted to the fact that its advocates
went behind the gospel TO the old dispensaiion; for
their Justification
DR.. William Elder, of Philadelphia, was then in
troduced 10 the meeting by Judge Scott. Dr. Elder is
very impressive and persuasive speaker and the first
part of his speech was much 10 the purpose. He
talked too long, however, and towards the close wan
dered off TO the Mexican war, and seemed to forget
the object of the meeting and tile purpose of he
citation he came to address. He was interrupted by
Kisses from those who di>approved of his attempt
to give the proceedings differert direction front
what was intended by the memb, RS of the society
He took them. however. in good pIrt, and gave the
audience leave to hiss, long hey gave him leave
to talk.
James II. Titus rose, and after mild but firm pro-
test against the Introduction Of Irrelevant TOPICS pre-
sented the following resolutions which were unani-
mously adopted
ResOired That a nation, the United States enjoys
reputation for intelligence aud vue unsurpassed BY any
OheTlhat il indebted for this envabe pre-
vaeHce Of christian principles among It's citizens; aud that
while those principles rule the conduct of
citizens, aud upheld the standard Of its laws, long
shall we remain happy and prosperous peOple-so long
shall reputation continue fair aud ouhng-so long as
that coliseum stands long shall the nation stand
ReSOtred That IN the laws of nation The Intelligence
and virtue Of its citizens should always be manested-ihal
IN Republic like The people alike rulers
the egSaOTshat when disorder prevails bad laws exist
the people are in fau't-and the delinquency being with
them from them refo maon must proceed
ReSofred That the sangunary laws which prevail in
State aud National codes not oqued BY natural Justice
not obligatory upon by any command Of the Sciiues-
not prescribed TO by prccept of The Gpethat such
laws tend TO rendOt frequent the Of sauguin
ay clmeihat they operate the mind of the community
dePeciang the proper estimation Of the sanciy Of hu-
e aud IN their effects destructive of the morals of
the people and dScredabe TO the character of the nation
ReSOired, That sacred aud mperous oblig alton rests
every individual Of this nation, ruler and egsa
tor seriously consider the subject uf capital punishment
that when and wherever such nvetg of the subject
have been had either By Individuals by associations, by
Legislative bodies the IL has been to ciIcumscIbe the
sphere OF action previously 0ccaped by the hangman and by
the gallows.
ResoiUed That the experience under dmnution of
capital punishment Always has been suppression Of those
for which The Of blood had demanded
expaiion, and therefore and analogy
the belief that the total abolition of capital punishment will
result ad, anageous the safety and welfare If society
II will be with the principles Of Christianity
aud congenial TO the benevolent spiril Of this age
Fhslly il is therefore ReS0lrea. That christian benevO-
lence-the relative duties Of ind vidua social
the welfare of societthe good of each State and
the honor Of the nation all demand that every citizen afford
galiows