Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1849-10-13
From the South Caroiinian.
A STATE fENfTENTIARY.

The Auburn plln adopts solitary con
finement at night in cells, with lator in
congreguted capacity du'ng inc day
The cost ofa prior upon this pln would
he much less than that which has teen
the subject of consideration. in tie lust
number. After reflection upon this sub
iect, this is the only recommendation that
| can perceive il the Auburn system,
while it is exposed to objections which ave
so strong that it's rejection would be H.
most sure TO follow its recommendation.
A juvenile criminal, for the Fl st offence,
end that a small ono, is placed within the
influence and reach of the most obdurate
offenders. What is 10 be the result of
such ass oci ton? He is p"cpwcd for Tie
commission of c;ime-Ec is placed in the
school of cine 1t has been found TO lc
impossible to prevent the convicts from
communicating with each otkcr. and tlis,
too, urdcrthc penalty Of tie lash. They
arc fo;lidden to spenk with cHch other;
We, convicts have said, after they have
served out their time, that, VIXEN ANYTHING
trHnspi cd in the prison even though they
did rot see l., in less ii pn two days. and
ofcn il much shorter time, it was known
bv evc~v one of the convicts IT, under
the rigid discipline cXrrci ed conmunca.
ton cannot Re prevented, thee is no ing
,olindcr them from tho formation Of plots.
Ia lie CIR led into effect Hfcr they have
been released from the p'iyon. They soon
learn how long each one has to remain.
and for whit offence he has been placed
theyc;nnd in ;hiS way they become known
to coch other, not only MS convic,s. who
ought to Try to reform, but as criminals,
and row they became such.
A feeling of resistance to che power
that be" would, in thi; mnnncr, Re engen-
dcrcd in thei' boromS, and, i"s'eGd of
looking towards their reformation, they
would he plotting schemes of future VII
lainv and desperation.
The fear of b, ing degraded as coward
ly, will nerve the obstinacy of MANY II
convict (who would feel de- p sorrow for
lis offences and cndc'vor 10 rero~m) to re
si,tall attempts 10 induce him TO become
q better man. Vice never lorcs any of
bitter opposition to virtue. by having the
encouragement of fcomplnionship. Fence
the evil which has so often resulted from
the convicts being cong egated together
while hbo ing, though they are ccnfned
in separate cells at night.
In some of the preceding numbers
something has been sid about the inhu-
encc and power of kindness towards c:im
inals In succeeding number, some in
stances worthy the attention Of all men,
shall be presented. They show that the
heart Of the stoutest offender is not des-
li:utc of feeling-that it cnn not only be
touched, but overcome hy kindness.
This is the great principle which must he
incorporated into every system ofpcnul
law; for I insist That justin proportion as
seems 10 me to be wrong. Ii think it the
right time 10 discuss its merits
More might be urged against this plln
but il is thought TINT enough has been
brought ward to show. in a pretty
strong light the objections 10 the system.
| know how .difiicultisis to present
truths to tho mind wli;h are contrary to
those opinions which are generally receiv
ed. The cry of innovation. novelty, is
quickly raised, and the me It's Of the sub
iect matter are conce led beneath the o.
dium thus hcaped upon r. So it has
eenoa this subject, in thigSate; but this
does not, and never shlll. prevent me
from the discussion ofanv topic which
Chlisliani V firms and moulds and COVE n
a people i'm their conduct. in the same
degree will their penal laws, and all 9th
CT laws be framed by the lc cievolence in
spiyed by that reiyion Christiinityi'
not dead lette.r-it has been fos a Urge
portion ofits existence, hut It's power is
now beginning to lie felt--it will turn the
world upside down, as It's enemies would
falsely make the chasgc-it will correct
the abuses fhat exist, and convince the
world Giat has not yet felt it rcyiyiiy-
ing power. Itsgfeat objects WILDE ac-
complished, and mans nature be brought
into sujection to the mild principles of
Love. ,1
m6rs LIVINGSTON,