The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-10-20
From the Pennsylvania Inquirer.
The Philosophy Of Kindness.
A CASE IN POINT.

To heal again the wounded mind
And bind again the broken heart"
The greatest tribute of Heaven is mercy,
And It's the crown of justice and the glory,
Where it may kill with right to save with pity"
We recently conversed with an esteemed
frend-a gentleman of this city-who for
the last twenty years OF his life has been
connected with several Of our leading char
table institutions, and has also for a long
period been an inspector OF one OF our Prin-
cipal penitentiaries. In alludlng 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
impertection, though not to positive IN
sanity--to misfortune, poverty, ignorance,
or to intemperance, evil associations, and
parental neglect.
The cases OF cool, calm, thoughtful, and
determined crime, of a disposition to go
wrong without regard to the laws of God
or man, are few and far between. Occa-
sionally such instances will be found, but
they are extremely rare. Almost all, even
among the convicted, possess some merl-
torious traits of character. Many are gen
erous, warm-hearted, and would rather
suffer for years than betray benefactor
Harshness, when met by harshness, pro-
duces sullenness, obstinacy, and hate;
while kindness is the key which, in great
majority of cases, unlocks the hearts OF
even the most hardened. The poor wretch
who, after arrest, trial and conviction, is
consigned to the cells of the penitentiary,
is apt to suppose himself loathed, con-
,emned and hated by all mankind. He
views himself as an outcast and an alien
to society, and looks upon the officers of
Justice as species of beings who cannot
feel for his condition, and who are utterly
dead TO his misfortunes, and who would
not believe him, no matter how truthful
the narrative he might detail.
When, therefore, this error is dispelled
when he discovers that even within the
gloomy walls of prison are to be found
kind and forgiving hearts-oficers and in
spectors who are disposed to forget the
past, and to manifest generosity, humani-
ty and mercy-the better feelings find
event and way" the stubborn nature is
subdued, the confidence of the convict is
won, and, while he deplores and regrets
the errors and vices that have hurried him
into disgraceful position, hope revives,
forgiveness of God and man is sought,
and resolution is taken to live more cor
rectly for the future. This, We say, is
often the effect of kindness; and this is
the testimony of the gentleman whose OPP
portunities of observation have been so
ample.
But what is the prospect of the felon,
who, having served out his first term, is
sent forth into the world 10 commence
anew Let Us suppose that his fall IN the
first case was through the force of clrcum-
stances, by adversely, by intemperance,
pressing and fearful temptation, rather
than by any settled and determined prin-
ciple of crime. Suppose, also, that in
leaving the walls of the prison, his peni-
tence is sincere, his heart is changed, and
his desire and determination are to walk
correctly and to act uprightly. Will he
be cheered on and sustained by has fellow
meni Will he be encouraged and assisted
IN the work OF reform' or, will the world
point to him as convict; whisper words
of suspicion and distrust-avoid, shun,
and anathematize himl 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, ra-
Their than Of sympathy and generous pity.
The christian doctrine in this respect Is
forgotten and neglected. The spirit Of
forgiveness is outraged. Man turns away
from his fellow man, and mocks at his APP
peal for assistance. "The fallen" are
hunted and blanchard their penitence,
however sincere, is distrusted and ridi-
culed. Thus their hearts become soured,
their feelings embittered, their necessities
urging and pressing, and they again fall
into the ways of temptation and the
meshes of crime Alas miserable beings,
when detected and convicted of second
offence. They are then regarded as among
the doomed and the hardened, and they
are branded as Infamous forever. And
vet, even these second offenders might IN
many cases be saved.
We know that il is difficult, in our pre-
sent state of society, and with the eye Of
suspicion and the tongue of scandal 81
watchful and yigilant, to assist fallen SIS.
ter or an erring brother, without liabill'
" TO censorious remarks. The motive i
seldom considered a. pure or disinterest
ed. And yet it Is the duty Of some one tc
step forward on these occasions the
solemn and sacred duty. What noble
incentive than the hope of saving soul
What higher inducement than the glorious
reward Of winning an euIng child OF hu
manity from the wrong TO the right path
How happy must be the consolation Of the
philanthropist, who, turning the eye o
memory back upon the past, sees a rescued
and now respectable member Of society
who would have been Lost but for his time
~ assistance and friendly aid. The coca
sions, too, are so numerous.
The poor and the frail are tempted Of
every side. Not a week, not day, goe
by that hundreds of human beings do no
hesitate at the two paths, tempted by POT