Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-07-28
Treatment Of Criminals in Cincinnati.

Mn. JOHNSON A short paragraph in the
Bugle a few days ago, in reference 10 the
criminals Of Cincinnati, who are chained to
work on the road, reminds me Of what saw
in that city myself in 1889.
My business called me into the Court
House. There was a youth in the criminals
box, about II years old, of a manly, digni6ed
countenance [; so every one would say, who
could see any good under a dark skin. He
was about the color Of Frederick Douglass,
and have no doubt, from his chronological
Developments, that he was nearly equal 10
Frederick at the same age. He was under
going trial for stealing some small item of
clothing. The Judges, Jurors, and Lawyers
all seemed Indifferent about the result; their
only anxiety appeared to be that Of quickly
disPatching the case. The boy himself APP
Peared deeply interested in what was going
on. But his countenance evinced any thing
but a consciousness Of guilt. The only wit
nesses against him were two colored females.
could not hear their testimony but, judging
from their tone and manner, it was quite evil
dent they were actua,ed by an ill-feeling to-
wards the accused. When the trial, which
only lasted but a few minutes, was through,
he Jury, without leaving the box, gave a
verdict Of guilty. The Judge Immediately
sentenced the prisoner 10 some months impris-
onment in The city Jail, and six months work
on the road in the chain-gang. When this
inhuman sentence was pronounced, a gush
Of tears bespoke the feelings Of the poor boys
heart. He was led away 10 his cell by the
sheriff, without the least visible manifestation
of sympathy from any one in that assembly.
He sobbed heavily as he was led out Of that
hall Of injustice by the tyranous hand OF
Power; all hope of justice or mercy from
any quarter having fed, and left his heart
cold and hopeless, perhaps never again to
hear a kind, symrathising voice.; certainly
never, till released from the grasp of those
unforgiving lyranis ofthe Law. But this is
the way the religion Of the day has Of mani
Testing its love Of justice and mercy. Kind
words and gentle admonitions, at that time,
would have done more for both the individual
and the State, than all the jails and chains
in Cincinnati.
That afternoon, | went a mile out Of town
on one of the turnpikes to see one Of these
ch~ain-gangs. To each mans ankle was fas-
tened a large iron ball, by a chain I or 8 feet
long. When they had occasion 10 change
their place, they would take the chain in their
hand and draw the ball TO them. More dis
consulate, hopeless looking countenances ]
never saw. Thus they were made continual.
ly to feel their degradation, for it was near
the City and strangers were passing nearly
every minute in the day. All vindictive pun.
ishment 10 barbarous and wicked; but this
practice of bringing criminals 10 the gaze Of
The public, chained on the highway, adds 10
its barbarous and inhuman character a little
ness and meanness, truly disgusting; and TO
crown all, the corporation pockets their wa
ges and leaves the unfortunate sufferers fam
lily 10 starve or beg for bread. A Christian
City taking the bread earned by a father from
his children's mouths, with which 10 beautiGy
and adorn the city!