Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-12-01

anitv 10 place within thelrSreach all tile mean!
that science has discovered for their cure, ant
to make your Institution not merely prison
house, but really an Asylum. Those who have
watched this Institution with a paternal care
and have no interest apartfrom its good, who
have carefully considered its wants ask this ap
preparation at your hands, | trus. you will no
refuse it.
A memorial from the Diectors of the South
Carolina Institute is herewith transmitted, to
which invite your attention. This Institute
established for the encouragement of ali the in
dustral pursuits of the country was incorpora'
ted by an act of the Legislature in 1850. Ono
fair was held previous to its incorporation, and
two since that time, Which have given most
gratifying evidence of its success in promoting
the great object for wliich.it was established
When we reflect how far behind our State has
been in the great race of The Improvement of
the mechanic arts, the exhibition of mechanical
skill, and ingenuity, which the fairs of this In
sti!ute have developed must be source of
pride aud satisfaction 10 every one who has the
real interests of his country at heart. They
have clearly shown that there was no want of
talent or energy on the Past of our mechanics,
but that it only required some stimulant of this
kind to spring it into ife These exhibitions
are common to all those States Which have been
most remarkable for their improvements in the
mechanic arts, ani have received the particular
patronage of their Legislatures.
This institution has beensestablishcd by the
private enterprise of its founders, to effect a
! great public good and while it reflects credit
upon their public spirit, deserves your patronage.
Since it was founded, the Sarticles offered for
! exhibition have been so numerous, that no hall
can he found of sufficient capacity to contain
them The necessity of building another has
induced them TO call uponyou for aid to con-
s,ruct it. By giving tllissaid, you adopt the
most enlightened plan of encouraging all the
| industrial pursuits of hecountry; but more
particularly the mechanic arts, which have here
iofore been too much neglected Encourage
your orn mechanics, by bringing the results of
their talent and enterprisefSnto notice, and it
will be seen that our State-&ill rival any other
in useful improvements. Neglect them, and you
will find that they will seeksomc more favored
region, where their skill will be appreciated and
rewarded.
The Attorney General, sH my request, has
drawn up report on the subject of Prisons and
Prison Discipline, towhich:he has added re-
port on the Criminal Law }As it contains much
valuable information, and many important sug-
gcstions, herewith transmit and invite your at
teniion TO it.
Without pretending to :eater. fully upon the
subject I will state few rsls0ns to show there
ought to be change in management Of
Prisons, ard also in.the rnaanerof executions.
There is no provision m6es for the separa-
tion of The different classes prisoners. The
youth who for tie trst:1nS convicted:
of some small offence, and upon whom the pun
ishment of imprisonment nigh, have so salutary
m effect as TO bring about his reformation, if
left alone to the workings of lis own con-
science, is confined with the hardened fcon, and
of course subjected to hs pcrnicious influence.
The debtor, who is perhaps more unfortunate
than criminal, is herded with the fclon and mur-
dcrcr. Good sense, rs well Justice and good
taste, revolt at this state of things.
A change ought to be made in the manner Of
Executions. AL! public executions are dcmor-
alizing to the community, and fail to produce
the effect upon it,hey were intended to produce.
A morbid curiosity collects thousands together
to witness them, and when the criminal Is
brought forth for execution, the natural synlra-
thies Of the crowd convert him into y hero or
martyr. Thus, much more Of pity than terror
is inspired by the exhibition. Or where, by frc-
qucnt recurrence, they become familiar, from
some strange pervcrsity of human nature
vulgar taste is inspired for them which is revolt
ing to witness 1t il familiar fact, thatduring
the Reign of Terror in France, when the streets
of Paris were flowing with the blood of inno-
cent victims, the populace actually clamorcd for
more executions when each individual was not
sure but that his head would be the next 20 be
brought 10 the guillotine. If it intended TO
strike terror to the heart of the multitude, by
witnessing executions the very publicity OF
them defeats this end Much more of terror
would be inspired by the knowledge, that at
the tolling of bell, or some other signal,
huulan being, within the narrow compass of his
cell. was launched into eternity, unsustaned in
his last dark moments by the sympathes OF
surrounding multitude.
If the Punishment f Whipping is to be con.
tinucd, that, too, were better done in private.
doubt exceedingly, however, the propriety OF
this mode Of punishment under any circum-
stances. Reformation of the rulprit Zone of
the important ends Of punishinen) is seldom or
ever effected by it. If one spark of good upon
which hope Of reformation can be built, is
left in his heart, it is entirely extinguished by
the degradation of q public whipping. If he is
already hardened in crime, and lost to all sense
of shame, no other effect is produced upon him
beyond the physical pain inflicted by the lash
think that the general feeling of our people is
decidedly opposed to this mode of punishment; :;
so much so, that it is exceedingly difficult for
the Executive 10 resist the earnest appeals and
powerful influences brought to bear upon him,
either to remit or change it.
But will not tresspaSs on your time by pur'
suing the subject further. merely wish to
draw your attention to it, This subject to-
geler with the revisal Of the whole Criminal
Code, requires s.more careful examination than
you would probably be able 10 give it during
short Session of the Legislature. therefore
recommend that you appoint or authorize the
Governor to appoint: Commission, consisting
of the Attorney General and the Solicitors, or
some other competent persons, to take the
whole subject of our Criminal Law, Prisons and
Prison Diripline, under consideration, and re-
port 10 the next Legislature such changes as
may be expcdient or necessary. In this man
ner, all the facts and statistics necessary 10 form
correct judgment on the subject will be
brought before you by those who are most ia
miliar with them.
By joint resolution Of the last General AS
sembly, was requested TO communicate win
the Governor of Georgia on the subject OF the
distractions to commerce and intercourse be-
tween the two States, ind to take such other
steps MS would lead To full exposition and un'
derstandug of the rights of all parties con.
ccrned, and to frank and friendly settlement
of the whole matter"
On the 9th of May, ] addressed letter to Ills
Excellency Governor CoDB; in accordance win