The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-03-06

does the objector suppose that this cir
cumstance had escaped the great Law
giver, when he declared, that the murderer
shall surely be put TO death. If courts Of
justice would always adhere strictly to the
statutes of His law, there would be no
room for the unjust infiction of His pen.
atty.
Suppose that innocent men have suf-
fered upon the gallows, what do such facts
prove! That punishment by death should
not be inflicted in any case! Assuredly
not; for then Gods law would be charge.
able with unrighteousness. Facts of this
kind prove that mere crcumstantial evil
dence which will admit Of rational ex.
planation, ought never to produce convic.
ton. Let the righteous provisions of Gods
holy law be enforced, and the innocent
will not be likely to suffer, though the
guilty may frequently escape.
Again. the commutatioE Of the punish
ment by death into Imprisonment for life,
would on the mere ground of expediency,
be of dangerous tendency. We are firmly
OF the opinion, that the sacrifice Of hu-
man life would be greatly increased, not
merely because the chief barrier would be
removed out Of the way of the murderer,
but from another cause still more forrnida-
, BILE. In government like ours, it is of
the utmost importance, that the laws should
not only be just, but certain in their ope.
ration. Just so soon as the popular mind
can be persuaded that the retributons of
the law are not equal to the enormty of
the crime, or that the awards Of justice are
not strictly carried out by our civil officers,
the people are prompted to take the ad-
ministration of law from the hands of the
constituted authorities, and administer it
for themselves. Let feeling Of outrage
unredressed, rankle in the breast of the
populace, and there is every reason to ap.
prehcnd that the whole community will
J become agitated by outbreaks of popular
| tun ult and violence. If the safeguards Of
justice be broken down, the spirit of re-
venge will usurp its place, in the popular
mind. Annul the penalty of death for
murder, and the friends OF the murdered
victim unless restrained by Divine grace,
will take the law into their hand and ex-
act life for life. Thus the arm OF law is
broken, and its authority is enfeebled
Lynch law will rule the land, and those
who cannot pandrr to the passions of the
lawless. will be in peril of their lives The
abrogation of the law of God is always
certain to entail anarchy and social ruin
t as its result.
, Again, it is alleged, it would be more
merci,ul to the soul of the poor malefac-
tor. to allow him the ordinary period OF
: life allotted by the Providence of God;
) for then he would have an opportunity Of
l. repenting Of his sin, whereas to cut short
! his life upon the gallows, would deprive
) him of the privilege. This looks plausible.
But the plea will not stand the light Of ex-
perience. The murderer has usually but
little conscience. Ills moral sensbilities
have become in a manner wrecked. He
above all other men in the world has need
, Of some startling appeal to rouse him from
his stupor and make him tremble for his
t SOUL lie has been accustomed to pro-
! crastinate. Tell him he must 60 to the
prison for life, and he carries with him
!; the spirit of procrastination. 1t will only
f confirm it the more. But let him know
his days are numbered, and that he can.
t not step beyond the fatal hour appointed
, for his execution, and he will feel that he
t has no time to trihe. He stands upon the
threshold Of eternity.
) If that solemn thought does not wake
up the sleeping conscience, it will sleep on
Y till it is aroused by the horrors Of the Sec
, ond death. The cell of the malefactol
/ possesses every advantage for reflection
t Time is given. Instructors are permitted
, to converse with him. and with all the en-
r ergy of sound nlnd. he may inquire
ri What shall do to be saved?"
e But finally, the substitution ofprrpetua
E Imprisonment for the punishment Of death
! is liable to this objection; it is very uncer
t tain in its operation. A hundred causes
!. may conspire to give liberty to the crimi-
: nal. This is fact fully known to all who
}, are acquainted with the operation Of the
!. system. Repeated cases Of the kind have
!. occurred even in our own state, Gu
! tonvicts are not ignorant OF these facts
vi Now it is well known that the murdere
"a yho eecanes the penalty of his CRIME in