The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-05-19


re fIes, Josiah Hopper. M. d., Henry "
Of Smith; Committee, II. Greeley, p. Go,
\ win; A. J. Spooner. Kings co; Rev. I
an buckingham, ONEIDA CO.; Joseph Pos
Of Queens co; c. F. Briggs. Richmond c.
ST Kew. ). J. May, Onondaga co; J. S. Goulf
r. Columbia co; Thos. McCliniock. Senr
lie DR.. Abljah Ingraham. l.. B. HafdcastI,
d. DR.. James S. Gibbons. F. C. fIavemeyel
a. John ). Ferguson. Ulster co; James B
IS Silkman, Westchesler co.
d A vote was taken on the report, whicI
ID resulted III unanimous approval. AT In
II conclusion Of the reading Of the report
Mf. Wendell Philips, OF Boston. was in
II troduced to the audience. After the cheer
y ing which greeted his presentation had sub
n sided. he spoke substantially as follows:
u There are some (said Mr.. P.) who be
Ileye that the gallows is as sacred an insti
J. tuition today as when this relorm first start
ed; but the fact to the contrary is TOO eyi
dent to allow this abuse long to obtain
| was gratihed to learn that in Massachu
setts the progress Of public sentiment on
. this subject had gained to great extent.
A report from a committee OF the Legis.
ldture was prejudiced and evil in its nature.
1t was an able report, and as far as argu.
ment goes, presented all the defects which
would arise from the abolition Of the death
penalty. The speaker here alluded to the
case OF poor colored sailor named Wash.
ington GoOde, at present in Jail for murder
a few men, he said, undertook to rouse the
public sentiment OF Massachusetts against
his execution; they sent out some 300
circulars; they were not able to attend
more than four or five meetings; but in
seventeen dsySthe public feeling OF Mas
sachusetts was aroused, and we obtained
nearly %, 900 signatures, which we sent to
Governor Briggs, demonstrating against the
law. Three-fourlhs OF that number were
legal voters. Ii is a cheering sign of the
progress Of the times-it is the great sign
OF progress; for it is not only the expires
sion OF the public sentiment, but wells
from the heart Of the people.
This evil is not to be treated according
to the astute rules OF theological argument
or the critical rules Of logic-it is to be
irowned down by the people; we are to ap.
peal to the sentiment Of the people, that in
all ages has been so powerful in its infu.
ence; there is something in the human
heart on which we may fasten; the barbara
ty and meanness Of the gallows is more DO.
tent in reform than any logic, and consid. |
er i perfectly fair to appeal to the Christian
feelings OF the community, rather than to
their reason, in this respect. Answer me
why it is, that if the community has been
in favor Of the gallows in all nations, the
agent Of the law has boon dstested Of menf /
why does he skulk into by-placesl why
does he sneak from before the face of the
public! The Populsce would tear him to
pieces, il he was not the agent Of the law.
There is something in the human heart that
speaks against the gallows, and il is by
arousing this feeling that we shall force the I
religious classes TO surrender il to the hu-
mainly Of the age. As for myself, deem
that, in using my energies to abolish the
gallows, am doing The greatest good for
man and religion. Who is he that Yields
Christianity 10 the taunts Of the ln6dell Is
it the man who quotes that Book always
against the humanity of every generation
who endeavors TO support his argument by
a defence from the Bible!
Now, to my mind, the law regarding cap
ital punishment is the meanest Of ali laws
on the statute book, and shall continue 10
think it so ill shall see man hung from
among the higher and educated classes
When | see DIR. Dodd or others like him
going to the gallows, shall say the penal
legislation rests upon sound, because upon
an equal, basis. A rich man cannot be
hung in the United States, for his friend
his influence. and his wealth, 90 between
him and the law, and he never suffers for
the crime he may have committed. His
friends appeal to the dominant preudices
against this barbarous and cruel relic of
baIbarous and cruel age. The peasant who
formerly committed penal crime was not
allowed counsel TO plead for him. He was
left to his own resources, and was often
unheard aud untried. | losthe
his law that makes distinction Of classes
On the great question OF life and death.
oathe the humanity that spares only our
comrades or those Of our caste. Washing.
ON Goode, sailor, the outcast Of society," {
who has been reared in ignorance-who {
makes his living by the hard, laborious
work Of sailor-who no sooner lands upon G
hore than he becomes the prey Of harpies
who rob him Of his earnings colored j
nan, 10 whose brothers nine-tenths OF the {
community refuse liberty-he comes to or.
hodox New Eng gland. to the philanthropy
# the Pilgrim City. that girdles the globe
with its missions; there is no home there
or him; but when, in the moment Of anger, .
he plunges his knife into the bosom Of his I
.ival, Massachusetts has no other punish. c
nent for him than the gallows. She says :
10 hangs moral example between the |
and the earth. Ay, there hangs a $
nan over whom mother has poured the /
most beautiful influences Of the cradle; there {
hangs a man whom the State wooed to viz !
ue; and in spite Of all, he hangs there, an !
Instance that the way Of the transgressor is
lard. Look upon him, and take warning!
No; she cannot say so. He was berelt Of [
Ill those sacred influences and blessings !
hat make life truly happy and man virtu.
'us. He was excluded from the sympathy o
# his fellow-men, and he knew not his re. 7
atoms to God. Those unfortunate beings I
ike him. who suffer, are the results Of the 8