New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1849-01-09

CAPITAL PUSIsHNEST.--A meeting OF friends
Of the Abolition of Capital Punishment, was held last
evening in Hope Chapel Lecture Room. The following
are the persons chosen 10 ofhciate FREEMAN HUNT,
President Benjamin Ellis. Richard 5. Williams Jacob
Hsrsen. MD. Frederick c. Hsvemeyer, John +. Gray
MD John Bgelow, VcePresideuts James 8 Glib
bons. John Hopper, Secretaries JAMES H. Trrus pro
ceeded to forth tho necessity there existed for nd
vidus and and public action tho important subject
Of Capital Punishment While there was negligence
on the part Of the Legislature nothing could be done
In this matter 10 the duty OF all the friends of this
much desired reform TO bestir themselves and petition
tbs State Government for the Abolition Of the Death
Penalty We have received every encouragement
said the speaker to persevore In this cause we have
received letters from all parts of the country manifest
Ing deep and earnest interest in this grea, reform
large edition Of the able report of Mr. Titus has been
published and circulated throughout the country. We
have also published the excellent arguments OF Chan
cslor Livingston, for which many applications had
bsen made.
Rev. 4. H. CHArIS having been introduced, pro.
eeeded TO address the audience He said have al
ways symps,hixei with the movement against Capital
Punishment Ny attention has not been much devoted
to H. and am yet qualified to detain this audience
with speech. Every great movement will be carried
forward by frequent Federation Of sres, principles
agitation 10 the main. spring of ell moral reforms The
Anti Capital Punishm movement Ia acusted by tao
motives via The welfare OF the criminal and the good
Of society We sugmstiIed sc being sympathizeTs
with the criminal and with having feeling for the
victim of his crimc. Is there anything wrong IN tho
saying OF Christ that tits better 10 build N AN 20 throw
downi IL there anything weak In the assertion that
because the blood oi the criminal cannot call back the
life OF his victim II Is better Ia reform him Is there
snythns weak in cay ing is useless TO shed blood the
-. ~. kaak 49,. .k.l
We cannot tell the degree Of guilt cannot indie,
ust retributon IL Is impossible for mortal 10 judge OF
the motive which dictated the crime We believe and
ere rigtt In convictions tina, 10 the duty OF soce
IT, not merely to punish but that Is bound also To-
&rm Society must educate as well a punish for II is
fact that the majority Of those who eApa'e taelr
erime upon the gsows had never had the dement's re
sultng from education impressed on their minds when
Young but Rave always lived In state ct moral degrs
daon Many arguments OF srest force have been MS 4
90 prove the justice OF The cause We advocate. snd
these have been answered ey its opponcnts -
This law Of Capital fansament said The speaker, 10
bat q grsfyiry revenge tits akin 10 that e.
fined sense OF honor which which ipsalted only be
ssssei with the blood OF the offender which requires
retibaton FIR The slightest breach OF honor OF insa-
II 10 that which dsregsrdIns the reformation OF the
criminal would erect the bloods,sined sess0i IN de.
ssnce OF every Christian consideration
Mr.. BrexiNsHAa next addressed the audience. he
spoke Ia substance as follows II has been found ~
STATISTICS that in the absence Of Capital Punishment The
amount Of crime punishable by that lave has decreased
This was 80 In Tuscany, where IL hsl been abolished
for period OF twenty years and il Is fact that wher
ever the number of executions has decreased The OF
fences have decreased Ia equal ratio u Il not our
policy. ssd Mr.. Buck shsm ~ execute the criminal
Tor executions have invariably had tendency to SO
sravste crime This fact besde iss being opposed 10
the spiri, Of Christianity should be suelent 20 prove
the necessity Of seolishsns the system.
Subscriptions were then taken up amer which LEI,
ter was read from PAaSs GopwT>. In which be stated
his inability 20 attend After few farther remarks
from Mr. Trrvs vote OF thanks rendered to the
sreskers the meeting adjourned.