The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-07-05
IN ADVANCE
N U NJ B E R 81

example of barbsrity, which it affords.
1t has been the custom from time i'm
memorial, to lntiict capital punishment ON
such subjects as were thought deserving
otit; but shall we in this free and enIigh.
tened age, keep up custom SO revolving
10 nature, merely, because it is an old id:
sttutlon! No, but rather in this progress
siVe age, let us improve on this as we'll
as on our other institutions. Next. let ma
consider the right of this method Of pun.
Ishment, and whence it is derived. Some
dwell with peculiar stress on these words
OF Genesis, whose siayeth man, by man
shall he also be slain" If this command
had been delivered in our day instead of
the time of Jewish laws, it might have
been of some weight.
1t was also said at that time, san eve
tor an eye, and tooth Tor a tootb.'-but
the New lestam ent expressly forbids both
the above commands, where it says, in
Crst's memorable sermon on the Mount,
lc have heard that it has been said. an
eye Tor an eye, and a tooth for a tooth,
out say unto you that we resist not evil:
out whosoever smite thee on thy right
check, turn to him the other side,' DC.
And again, 'whesoever shall kill and be
IN danger of Judgement For although
the end Of punshment is to deter men
tom crime, 1t does not follow from this
tn 1t is lawful to deter them bv apv
means, since there may he unlawful meth
DDS Of enforcing obedience even TO the.
most just laws. What right, we again
ask, has one TO snatch from his fellow that
ME which it is not in his power to givel
Certainly not IA divine right, and no other
should be recognised in christian land
VIII any one say that it is right to hurl
a man into eternity, without moments
warning or reflection, to stand thus unpre-
pared before his God to receive his fina.
judgement We think that i, should be
referred to higher tribunal than man,
because of the pronenesss Of human ma
ture TO err. How many men, who have
oy 'IIo u"rru On ruo vSrvurruuerv xXnu
capital punishment has often been infiic-
ted on mere crcumstantial evidence.
which we consider one of the most unjust
features in the law of our land. We are
asked, If we abolish it, what will be Of
er AS a substitvtel We would say the
penitentiary, or solitary confinement, is
just as efficient, because if man can
work his feelings into such a state as to
murder his fellow, and his heart is so
calious to the promptings of his better ma
nature that the fear Of hanging will not
deter him from tie commission of aDv
deed. And we think, that if ninety-nine
years in the penitentiary is not enough to
stay the hand Of the murderer hanging
will not. Let us consider the benefits re-
suting from our substitute. 1t appears
more rational and human to place a man
III the penitentiary, and let him serve out
his lite,-there rejecting on his past deeds
and preparing to answer for his conduct
at the last tribunal, than to cut him off
in the prime of life without the least
hope Of future peace. And moreover, it
brings a revenue to the State.
Again we will ask what coed will re-
suit from taking mans life9 Is anybody
benefited by ita 1t has long since been
observed, says Voltaire, that man after
he is hanged is good for nothing, and that
pun'shmcnts invented for the good of So
ciety should be useful to society. Has it
not been tried here in our own country?
and does the Statutes of those States pre-
sent larger catalogue Of crime than they
did before it was abolshed2 No. Bat
their internal resources have been greatev
and more abundant. Was there any
reign more prosperous than Tat of Eiza-
beth, empress of Russia, and history tells
us that it was abolished by her. In all
countries where death is inflicted as a pun
ishment, every example supposes some
Few crime to be committed, whereas in
imprisonment for life, every criminal az
fords continued and lasting example.
In conclusion we quote from another, who
says, sis it not absurd that laws which
detest and punish homicide should, in or
der to prevent murder publicly commit
murder tbemselvesw