The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-12-01

science, is confined with the hardened,
felon, and, Of course, subjected to his per
nicious influence. The debtor, who is
perhaps more unfortunate than criminal,
is herded with the felon and murderer.
Good sense, as well as justice and good
taste, revolt at this state Of things. b
A change ought to be made in the
manner of Executions. They aredemoral-
izing tothe community, and fail TO produce
effect upon il they were intended TO pro-
duce. A morbid curiosity collects thou
sands together 10 witness them, and when
the criminal is brought forth for execution,
henatural sympaties ofthe crowd convert
him into hero or martyr.-Thus, much
more of pity than terror is inspired by the
exhibition. Or where, by frequent recur.
renee, they become familiar, from some
strange pcrversity of human nature, a
vulgar taste is inspired for them, which is
revolving to witness. 1t is a familiar fact,
that during the Reign ofTerror in France,
when the streets Of Paris were flowing
with the blood of innocent victims, the
populace actually chamored for more
executions, when each individual was not
sure but that his head would be the next
to be brought to the guilotinc. II it is
intended to strike terror to the heart Of the
multitude, by witnessing executions, the
very publicity of them defeats this end.
Much more terror would be inspired by
the knowledge, that at the toling of bell,
or some other signal, human being,
within the narrow compass 6fhis cell, was
launced into eternity, unsutaned in his
last dark moments by the sympathies Of
surrounding multitude.
If the punishment Of whipping is to be
continued, that, too, were better done in
private; | doubt exceedingly, however,
the property of this mode of punishment
under any circumstances. Reformation
of the cu!prit Zone Of the important ends
Of punishmenD is seldom or ever effected
by it. Ifone spark Of good, upon which
hope ofreformation can be built, is left
in his heart, it is entirely extinguished by
the degradation of public whipping. IL
he is already hardened in crime, and lost
to all sense of shame, Ne other effect is
produced upon him beyond the physical
pain inflicted by the lash. / think that
the general feeling of our people is deci-
dedly opposed to this mode Of punishment;
so much so, that it is exceedingly difficult
for the Executive to resist the earnest
appeals and powerful influences brought
to bear upon him either to remit or change
it.
Butykyill ~ trespass on your time by
psss iAe subject further. / merely
- your attention to it. This
4lher with the revisal of our
'tal Code, requires more
CO '''i1ation than you would
probatl tble TO give it during n short
session, ke Legislature. therefore
reeoE{ ~ you appoint, or authorise
itlle5 70 appoint, Commission,
20 be Attorney General and
lfi ;! For some other competent
Ike the whole subject of our
lilsSpsI and Prisons pis&pS
tlie'9 .. lati,Te lcli ehangcs assilsay
be expedicnt or necessary. In this man
ncr, all the facts and statistics necessary
to form a correct judgement on the sub
ject, will be brought before you by those
who are most familiar with them.
Bya joint resolution of the last General
AS sembly, | was requested to communi-
cate with the Governor of Georgia Oh the
subject of the Constructions to commerce
and intercourse between the two States,
and to take such other steps as would lead
to full exposition and understanding to
the rights of all parties concerned and of
frank and friendly settlement of the
whole matter" On the 9th of Nav ad-
dressed a letter to His Excellency Gov.
ernor Cobb, in accordance with the spirit
Of the said joint resolution. and requested
the Attorney General TO look legal rights
Of the parties concerned. / have received
as yet no direct reply from Governor
Cobb. My letter to bin. together with
the correspondence between the Attorney
General and the Executive Secretary Of
Georgia-the statement Of the Attorney
General, and the result Of his legal inves-
LEGATIONS of the case embodied in the form
of Report, are all herewith transmit
ted.
think il however, proper to state, that
TIC Hueolioh vi Lhc OOunuarleS between
the two States has lost much of its in
terest at present, since an arrangement has
been made by the President of the South
Carolina Railroad Company with the city
authorities of Augusta, by which a free
passage across the Savannah River is
secured 70 the Company.
feel it my duty to call your attention
to certain proceedings which have grown
out of the enforcement Of that law Of our
State, which requires the Sheriff Of Char
lesion 10 seize and imprison colored Sea-
man who are brought to that port. You
will remember that the British Consul sd
dressed a communication TO the Legisla-
ture in December 1850 on the subject of
a modification Of this law. A Committee
was appointed by the House and Senate