Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1850-05-10
CAPITAL PVrNTSHMEgVT,

CAPITAL PUNTSHMEWT.
In speaking on this subject we cannot forbear
first and foremost, to express our qualification at
fact, which we think is evident, from recent
discussion, viz: that majority of the press of
Wisconsin, that have any opinion on the subject,
are opposed to capital punishment. 1t is crafty
ing, it not as an evidence of what as, of what
W'H soon be-; an evidence that the true spirit of
humanity is working out its end, and that the de-
mocracy of this age is growing to practical eff
! fort
We perceive that some of our contemporaries
in opposition, have quoted some remarks of ours
made in hurry and at random, and claiming
them as the best arguments which could be adj
duced in favor of the abolition, have proceeded to
demoIish them, supposing thereby, that the whole
| ground work of the affirmative was swept away
| In arguing a question of this nature, we should
endeavor to elucitlate and comprehend the great
general principles which underlay the matter
We are too apt to lose sight Of general principles
and without tracing details to their sources, get
confused without arriving at any satisfactory
/
has arelation to the mind and constitution of man
and operates either benefcially or otherwise with
reference to the advancement of man in knowL
edge, virtue, and consequent happiness. The
truth in this respect is what we want to arrive
at We want to know the relation we sustain
! to one another, in view ofthe laws of our being,
and the duties we owe to each other, under those
| laws We want TO make our institutions TO har-
monte with the truthful aspirations of mans
mind, to the end that men may be advanced and
not retarded, in their efforts TO progress and de-
velop themselves in wisdom and virtue. We,
then, should argue the question as follows:
All mankind desire happiness;
This desire underlays and forms the basis of
all human actions;
Men seek the end through different channels !;
Different channels are pursued because men
see differently;
They see differently because the seeing power
that's, the mental and moral nature is in each
individual differently developed. In proportion
as the mental and moral are weak the individual
moves in an eccentric and blind manner towards
the object, and rice Versa.
This blindness is the result of a number of
causes over which the individual had no control
and for which, consequently, he is not RESPONSE
bic; among which may be mentioned, defec-
tive organization inherited from his parents, want
of proper training in infancy, want of due con-
sheraton from society, and in short, want of
all the instrumentalities of education and devel-
opment.
Now you do not condemn the man who through
physical blindness falls into the ditch; how then
can you condemn him who being blind to per-
ceive the wrong, falls into error Instead of
condemning and furnishing the man physically
blind, for falling into the ditch you conceive ii
your duty to assist him out and guide him: is it
any less your duty to assist and guide him who
has fallen through mental and moral blindness
into the ditch of error?
The question resolves itself simply into this
Men desiring happiness, and that desire being
the basis Of all their acts, if they do not pursue
the right road 10 attain the end, it is because they
are ignorant.
Now you see the right way more clearly, and
tread it moro truthfully, because you have clea-
rer mental and moral vision. To whom are you
indebted for this clearer vision? Plainly to your
Creator. Wherefore? lie has made the ignorant
man as well as you, the intelligent one, and the
conclusion would seem to be- that as you are blest
you are to bless those beneath you. You have
wisdom that you may impart it to those who
have it not. In short your whole duty is to ei,l-
cate, to suppIant Ignorance with wisdom TO the
end that men who are now seeking their happi-
ness in crong channels, may with you seek it in
right channels.
We know at this point the mind of the reader
naturally looks to the details, and asks the ques-
ton, 4" Would you permit the criminal-the aban-
Ioned murderer, to roam unchecked in societv?'
We say, No; but instead of arguing details, we
wish to confne the mind to the general principles
to the end that in dsposng of the individual
who is prone to evil. all the means may be made
to harmonic with this correct general principle
Here then the question arises as to the educa-
tionaI character of the gallows, which question
we reserve for another brief chapter
WONTAN'S CONVENTION.
The women of Ohio recently held Con-
vention at Salem, Columbiana county in that
State Ohio is about rpmOdplinu her cOnStitu-