The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-11-22
FROM the Pennsylvania Inquirer.
THEPHIL0SOPnY OFKINDNESS
A CASE In Pol.

(which seeks again those cords to bind
Which human woe hath rent apart;
To heal again the wounded mind,
And bind again the broken heart
the greatest tribute Of Heaven is mercy,
And tits the cr'wn Of justice and the glory,
Where il may kill with right, to save with pity
We recently conyersed with an esteemed
friend-a gentleman OF this city-who for
the last twenty years ofhis life has been
connected with several Of our leading char
liable institutions, and has also for long
period been an inspector of one Of our prn-
opal peniientiaries. In abiding to the
causes Of crime in the great majority Of
cases, he expressed his conviction that they
nigh, be traced to weakness or malady Of
the mind, amounting to mental imperfection,
though no. TO positive insanity-to misior-
tune, poverty, ignorance, or to in,emper-
ance, evil associations, and parental neg
-lect.
The cases ofcool, calm, thoughtful, and
determined crime, Of disposition to go
wrong without regatd to the laws Of God or
man, are few and far between. Occasion
ally such instances will he found, but thsy
are extremely rare. Almost all, even a.
mong the convicted, possess some merto-
rious traits Of character. Many are gen
crous wnrm-hcnrted aud would rather suf-
Ter Tor years than betray benefactor.-
Harshness, when met by harshness, produ-
ces sullncss, obstinacy. and hate; while
Kindness is the key which, in great ma
ioriiy of cnses, uniocks tho hearts Of even
the mos, hardened The poor wretch who,
after arrest, trial and conviction, is con-
signed TO the cells Of the penitentiary, is
apt to suppose himself loathcd, condemned
and hated By all mankind. lie views him
self as an outcast and an alien to society,
and looks upon the officers OF justice as a
species of beings who cannot feel for his con-
dition, and who are utterly dead TO his mis-
fortunes, and who would not believe him,
no matter how truthful the narrative he
might detail. fe1
When, therefore, this error is dispellcd
when he discovers that even within the
gloomy walls Of prison are to be found
kind aud forgiying henrts-officers and in
spec,ors who nre disposed TO forget the
past, md TO manifest generosity, humanity
aud mercv-the better feelings find "ycnt
and wav," the stubborn nature is subdued,
the confidence Of the convict is won, and,
while he deporcs and regrets the errors
and vices that have hurried him into dis
graceful position, hope rcvives. forgiveness
az God md man is sought, and resolution
is taken 10 1.-Two more correctly for the fu-
.urc. This, we say, is often the effect OF
kindness; aud this is the testimony Of the
gentleman whose opportunities Of obscrva
rion have been So ample.
But what is the prospect Of the telon,
who, having served out his first term, is
sen, forth into the world TO commence a.
new? Let us suppose that his fall in the
first case was through the force Of circum-
stances, by adversely, by intemperance,
pressing and fearful temptation, rather
than by any settled md determined princi-
pie Of crime. Suppose. also. that IN
leaving tho walls Of tho prison, his
pc ni,ence is sincere, his heart is chang
ed. and his desire and determination
nre 10 walk correctly and to oct uprightly.
Will he be cheered on md sustained by his
fegIow-men? will he be encouraged and
assisted in the work Of reform: or, will the
world point to him 40 convict; whisper
words Of suspicion and distrust--nvold,
shnn, aud anathematize him? Alas! the
latter policy is too often pursued. The
victims Of misfortune or Of guilt are too
generally the objects Of reproach and OF
scorn, rather than ofsympathy and gener-
Gus pity.
The christian doctrine 10 tbs respect is
forgotten and neglected The spirit Of
forgiveness is outraged. Man turns away
from his fellow man, and mocks al his ap-
nc Al for assistance. "'rhe fallen arc hunt
cd and bnnned--and their penitence,
however sincere, is distrustod and ridiculod.
Thus their hearts become soured, their
feelings embittcred, their necessities urging
= L.