The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-31
Rev. Chas. Spear on I" The Late Exec utions In
New York."

last evening, the above gentleman delivered very
eloquent discourse the late executions in this city
fore crowded audience at the Brooklyn Institute He
began by saying that the fate of Saul and Hewlett should
be an example to all young Their punishment
would not reform criminals, but the contrary would
tend to increase crime to awful extent They had
accounts of people who would be glad at all times
such executons they had heard that people would
even buy seats for that purpose In England, it was
quite common thing to give the highest price for good
seat. He remembered hearing about man who always
paid high price every occasion to witness executions
and hat very afterwards executed himself He
then alluded to the number of criminals that were
executed in this country the greater portion
of whom, he said had witnessed public executions
moral reform is the object of the law why not have
the law amended, that the whole community could
come and witness it. There affecting scene hap
rened that MISUNDERSTANDING to the day of the
cuion) While he was waiting on the outside of Saurs
cell he heard the most agonzing groans inside Saul
taking farewell leave of his mother and sister They
asked him If it the last time they would behold him.
and he said il was 1t the last time that they behed
him alive on this earth. 1t great question whether
the law could not devise better Of disposng
vs. nn IL ie a AZ sne e hs Gay ana o tine
They could not imagine the misery caused to both parents
and children BY the law it is al present There
real suffering in the families of criminals than they
of There is in the prisons Of this country
than thirty thousand prisoners, and what must
be the feelings Of the mothers and sisters of those
unfortunate 1t not in battle that the most misery
TO be found it at home In time Of the mother
reads Of the death Of her son. who died honorable
death but at home in time Of piece she reads Of his
death in the public papers, by the hangmans hands.
There had passed he said about twenty thousand prison
through the Tombs OF this city within the past wear
ard when any of those who out applied for work
they in most refused In Prussia there are
schools for the children of criminals. In his opinion
there ought to be such institutions in this country for
in that thousands could be saved who otherwise be-
come hardened criminals They very having
innocent Johnson who not guilty of the crime
he convicted Of hanged Lafayette looked upon capt.
tai punt with the greatest adherence short
time ago in Vermont, criminal just going to be
hung. when voice heard crying" Sotp, stop for
Gods sake he is innocent And Investigation it was
found that the speaker the very who sup
posed 10 be murdered. When men wanted to advocate
slavery. they referred TO the Bible. When they wanted
to advocate capital punishment they also referred the
Bible let them throw their minds back 10 the begin
ming of the earth, and they would find that although
there magistrates in those days. still God
Of Cain, and punished him severely. Some men
would refer him perhaps to the covenant OF Noah sWho
sbeddeth : blood by sbs II his blood shed
and the people OF that time certainly did not look upon
il in the light they do at tire present day
many offences punishable with death by the laws
of Moses. Among those enumerated in the list
those who oppressed the widows and the fatheress
He hoped that there Of those who
guilty of that offence residing in this city for there
plenty Of them in Boston, Children who
bellous to their parents also condemned TO die.
Why then were not the laws Of Moses not obeyed in
those instances well in that which referred
10 murder. They had forgotten very important por-
tons Of the law, while they had kept other portions,
which we're very hard ones, indeed. Saul, he
getting religious. He would then ask them why
should that be cut of in the prime of e9 lie
cluded by more referring 70 the evil caused by CAPT
tai punishment Professor Webster he said. attended
every execution which took place at Newgate He was
always found at those theatres where tragedies were
acted and was very fond of cutting up human bodies