The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-11-22
From the Pennsylvania Inquirer.]
Observation-Disclosures.
A CASE IN POINT

(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 'tis the erwin of Justice and the glory,
Where i may kill with right, to save with pity
We recently conyersed with un esteemed
friend--a gentleman OF this city--who for
the las, twenty years ofhis life has been
connected with several Of our leading char
table institutions, aud has also for long
period been an inspector Of one Of our prin-
cipal peniientiaries. In abiding to the
causes OF crime in the great majority Of
cases, he expressed his conviction that they
might be traced to weakness or malady Of
the mind, amounting to mental imperfection,
though not to positive insani,y-to misfor-
tune, poverty, ignorance, or to in,emper-
ance, evil associations, aud parental neg
lact.
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 tar between. Occasion
aliy such instances will lie found, but thsy
are extremely rare. Almost all, even a.
mong The convicted, possess some merito-
rious traits Of character. Many are gen
erous wnrm.hcarted ond would rather suf-
fer for years Than betray bcncfactor.-
Harshness, when met by harshness, produ-
ces sullincss, obs,inacy, and hate; while
Kindness is the key which, in a great ma
joritv of cnses, uniocks tho hearts Of even
the most hardened. The poor wretch who,
after arrest, trial and conviction, is con-
signed to the cells of the penitentiary, is
ap, to suppose himself Ioathcd, 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
species Of beings who cannot feel for his con-
dition, and who nrc utterly dead to his mis-
fortunes, and who would not believe him,
no matter how truthful the narrative he
might detail. s1'
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
spectors who nre disposed to forget the
past, mud TO manifest generosity, humanity
and tncrcv--the better feelings find "ycnt'
and wav," the stubborn nature is subdued,
the confidence Of the convict is won, and,
while he deplores nnd regrets the errors
aud vices that have hurried him into dis
graceful position, hope reviyes, forgiveness
of God and man is sought, and resolution
is taken TO 1.-Two more correctly for the fu-
.uro. This, we say, is often the effect of
kindness; and this is The testimony OF the
gentleman whose opportunities Of obscrva
rion have been 81 ample.
But what is the prospect Of the telon,
who, having served out his first term, Is
sent forth into the world 10 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 aud fearful temptations, rather
than bv any settled and determined princi-
pie Of crime. Suppose, also, that in
leaving tho walls Of the prison, his
pc nitence il sincere, his heart Is chang
ed, and his desire and determination
nre 10 walk correctly and 10 act uprightly.
will he be cheered on and sustained by his
fellow. meng Will no be encouraged and
assisted in the work ofrslorm: or, will the
world point to him AZ convict; whisper
words Of suspicion and distrust --nvoid,
shun, aud mathematics himg 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 gcner-
Gus pity.
The christian doctrine in tbs respect is
forgotten and neglected. The spirit Of
fargiveness-is outraged. Man turns away
from his fellow man, and mocks at his ap-
nc al for assistance. "'rhe fallcn'' arc hunt
cd and bunned--and their pen;tence.
however sincere, is distrustod and ridiculcd.
Thus their hearts become soured, their
feelings cmbi,,cred, their necessities urging
Inr.ee;,o .rd they npnin fall into The