Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-01-21
q he Antt-9louerp Bn9lf.
salem, ohio, January II, 1854.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

II is time that Ohio with her boasted enlighten-
ment, had done with that relic of savageism, legal
murder A very large portion Of the community,
are in favor Of its abolition. And all that is need
ed to carry the measure in our State Legislature,
is vigorous and united effort for the purpose
Let our Legislators know what is the estimate in
which this bloody rite is held, and they will at
once relieve our state from the odum Of its prac-
tice. 1t is that be carried far easier
than the Maine Law, for nobody's appetite or
business will be damaged thereby. 1t can be car
rcd without thousandth part of the effort that
is needfu to carry the state for freedom, even to
make it repudiatc the slave catching statute-the
odious law of 1850. 1t is not sustained by COM
merce-not cherished by the patronage of the
Federal Government, and has not thousands of
unprincipled political demogogues to intrigue for,
and advocate its continuance. True it hos hitherto
successfully entrenched itself in the orthodox
church which has clothed il with divine authority;
but the church itself is no longer mpregnable, by
virtue Of its claims Of divinity. 1t las been seen
and is known that it has often thrown this sanction
of divinity over the foulest Of crimes. The claim
is no bar to the most searching investigation
And very little investigation to reveal the
shallowness Of this pretence in regard to capital
punishment as well as slavery. And besides, the
ology is not immovable. 1t has changed its ground
to meet the advancing light in Astronomy, Geol-
ogy, and other sciences. So too it has changed in
regard to goyernment-Kings in this country have
no place by divine right of orthodoxy as once they
had So too in regard to humanity and MORALS
Very many of the members of the orthodox church
and ministry are yielding to more humane impul
ses and theology and biblical Interpretation is
becoming modified accordingly. Very many o
the members Of churches would give their names
to petitions for the abolition of capital punishment
made to secure the object.
1t is time the work was done. Only last weel
one poor wretch protesting his innocence, wal
sentenced to be hung at Akron. Whether he wa
guilty or not we cannot say, but certain we arr
that if So his death can be atonement to tn
injured for the wrong. And the whole history o
criminal experience has proved that ii would prov
no preventive against the repetition Of the Grim,
by others.
1t is false idea so generally prevalent tha
man has right to inhict upon his fellow, arbitrar'
punishment for crime. Man is too much the victim
Of ignorance, passion, prejudice and malice, to b.
entrusted with such fearful responsibility. Human
nature as the voice of God rebels against the as
sumption, and repudiates the claim. Individual
or governments may restrain men who in lawless
ness will jeopardize our liberty. our property, 0
our persons.
But we do not propose to state our creed or max
an argument. All we desired or designed to dc
was TO invite our readers in their respective local
ties, to make an effort on this subject withou
delay. Such an effort made with wisdom and Wig
or, would be repaid with success. Let some on
! in each town and neighborhood, copy the brie
: form of petition which We publish herewith, o
prepare another if you do not like this form, an
circulate it thoroughly through your neighborhood
Getting the signatures of legal voters on one pape
and those of adult females on another. BY s
doing an array of names might within the mex
four weeks be sent to Columbus, which would ia
vorably forward, if it did not perfect the work..
! Such petition is in circulation in this villag
drawn up and started by one of our most res
pected citizens. Let others do likewise and thu
noiselcssy and efficiently the people will speak I
those who are clothed with authority, to remoy
+ this bloody reproach from our statute book
I The following is the form Of memorial in ci
culation in this place. 1t commends itself for il
distinctncss and its brevity.
2 TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF TIL
: STATE OF OHIO.
The memorial Of the undersigned, citizens
q I--- represents-that your MEMORIALS
: regarding the death penalty as barbarous and il
human, and as unnecessary for the protection
human life, respectfully ask that you so far amen
4 the criminal code of this state, as to abolish capit