New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-03-20
BY GREELEY & McELRATH

isose days In the Of religion Aud ever since the
keceemer walked with man. such enormities were
committed By crusaders Ia the Hoy Lsnd such suffer
nss AZ were Inflicted BY the priests Of the church oi
Rome 10 the 0euisiton. such murders perpea
ted BY the authority Of the church Of England
The midnight Of Bsrtholomew-the stake
OF Smithfed and that thrice accursed dsrns
Which Calvin kindled BY Geneva's lake
New England scsffoid. and the priestiy
q Which Knocked its victim 10 tia, hour VI fear.
When guilt nself a human tear might claim
& Fear witness q thou wrOnz'd and meTciful One,
That earihs most hateful crimes have in Thy name
been done
The actions Of our public men, and Of oar legislative
bodies give evidence that the abolition Of Capital Pua
ishment u ssTiously agtat.ng the whole immunity
This society, from ia first Institution has constant
been Va the receipt Of letters from many Of most
distinguished statesmen asking for information and doc
umcnts on the subject Memorials have been presented
in Congress demanding the reform and the pTophety Of
II eIoQuenty urged By the venerable John q Adams
In the Legislatures OF Maine New Hampshire, bassachu
setrs, Connecticut Rhodelslsnd, New-Jersey Pepnsyi
vsnia Ohio Missouri, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana
and believe Of other States the subject has been in
troduced upon memorials grave discussions have been
had and me has received the support OF ntel
gent and respectable minorities-
When we look over the statute books Of own
ststes turn TO those OF Europe and notice how many
bloody spots have been erased under the working OF
that spirit which completed the insutunen OF this asso
cation-when we recollect that at the commencement
Of the present century the mild sunshine OF the sos
pei day scarcely Percepabe in the gloomy halls Of
criminal justice and that there then TO be seen
throughout Christendom under the direction OF the
ministers of that justice many foul affairs streaming
with blood" When we recoect that late a
that period thai gaows stood boldly forth in the face OF
refined civilization and revealed religion in heather
like and bsrbsrous exercising its bloody cespo
ism and when we recOlect that then but few would be
found 10 raise their voices In opposition TO the sway OF
that anti christian and iDhumsn monstrosity this
adaf NTH tho hsr
since occurred and with the rnerciul feeling toward
the criminal which now prevails in every civilized land
then is that enjoy the grateful conviction that
the spirit OF love prescribed BY the Redeemer as the
means Of mora reform is rapidly becoming the recog
| nized principle OF criminal Jurisprudence.
u il only against the bloody acquisitions OF toe
criminal law that this spint Of love Ia doing Us benign
and god work but II 10 exertng its benevolent III
uence In favor Of the lost sheep 10 every step OF his
unfortunate wanderings. Ire innocent debtor Is no
longer allowed 10 remain locked up ia jail there to
waste his time and energies as sppeasement 10 the
anger OF his mercess creditor The drunkard can nov
rse from the gutter and find, in the halls OF the Wash
ingonisns hearts 70 cheer him in bis desoston
liberal hands 10 relieve his necessities.
The criminal, While in his abode Of gloom and Of
Disgrace 10 visited by the missionaries Of the spin, OF
Love and is conferred and instructed during the period
Of his Imprisonment and II the gates opened for
him again TO return 10 society IN Is no longer forced 10
look upon ns dreary waste where no green spot re
mains for him. but be IL told and taught 70 know there
are individuals and associations ready and anxious %
tend TO him encouragement and support But tnis
beautiful aspect Of moral reform s marred by the eAis-
tence OF horrld defect The galiows s,i oouades
It's cruel features upon socieyaDd the capital criminal
(of all others most 10 be pied) II eft alone without TIE
consolation or the sympsthy which Is 30 rapuily ana
literally extended TO every other losi sheep
Yes, while We behold throughout our happy land
asyums erected for the children OF msfortnne-houses
tor the desttuework houses tor the vagrants-senc.
tuares for penitent conyicsal enlivened by the mild
sunshine OF the gospel day" st at the time we
the capital criminal lett writing IN his solary anu
tude despair entirely shut out by black cloud OF su
perstition from the benign influence Of those glorious
rays Fellow members OF this society fellow citzens
fellow Chrstsnsthis melancholy thls pltsole inls un
Unsuitable exception in the working Of gospel reform
should have existed This society esis upon '
members upon all citizens, upon every Christian 70 90
Operate In exertons foT the Overbro~p OF the sao"s
Let each Of US enlist in this work OF mercfll REFORM
our brothers and especially let us ofng lof'
ward The aid Of our wives and OF our daughters woman
has always peen the efficient and stesdsst In svery
ephere OF the work Of love and mercy she OF ali the
ourners stood nearest and remained longest by the
bloody cross Of the Redeemer she was the nr' TO ap
pear al mis- tomb the morning OF his resurrection Let
her, with that spirit Of action which has ever ADORNED
her character and with that seIdfEstness whcn mas
ever rendered powerful her aid JOIN with US IN THIS our
praisewcTthy effort extend 20 every criminal us shc
OF the mercy prescribed IN the gospel.
Fellow mernbers--lf we con arouse our feiow-cltl.
zens and fellow Christians to proper invesussuon OF
the true nature of capital punishment we viii sooa nave
their cooperation and then will each OF rs DC eole 70
congratulate the other In the words OF poet who mas
written thus beautifully on this subjest
Thank God that have lived to see the time
When the great truth begins at last TO md
An utterance from the deep heart OF mankind.
Earnest and clear. that all revenge IL crime
That man is holer than creed-that all
Restraint upon him must consult bis gooc
Hopes sunshine linger on bis prison wall,
And Love look ia upon his solitude
The beautiful lesson which our Saviour taught
Through long dark centuries, its way has wrought
Into the common lind aud popular thought.
Aud words, to which by Galllee's lake snorc
The humble hshers listened with hoshed oar
Have found echo In the general besrL
And of the public faith. become q living part
WILLIAM r. McCOUN, President
5 5:sss a; s s@,5, Presidents
J. HOPPER NJ d. Secretary.
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