Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-01-02
SATURDAY, DEC. 3O,sl854s.ss
THE DEATH PENALTY.

The communication of ssCitizen," was handed
in so late, that we found it impossible to
reply to several points upon which We take issue
with the writer. Doubtless the murder was an
aggravated ono, and had tho law been executed
at the time the Indian was sentenced, there would
have been no necessity for our remarks but his
incarceration in a loathsome prison two years
after the time for his execution had expired, in
duced us to believe that he was dead in the eyes
of the law, and having suffered severely, ought
to receive his freedom. If, however, every thing
has been conducted legally and properly, and if
at this late day the law demands his life, let it be
taken, Gas we learn it was yesterday but we wash
our hands of any participation in the crime of
having anything to do with what we consider le-
gdliSed murder.
We arc no advocates of the death penalty, be-
cause We believe it to be directly opposed to the
command Of God-ssThou shalt not kill )" and al.
SO because We believe it to be directly opposed
to the teachings of Jesus Christ. We believe
that that sentence-ss Who so sheddeth mans
blood, by man shall his blood be shed,'' never
emanated from the Deity, and cannot be suhstan-
tated by the written word of God. We believe that
education, and that careful analysis and invcs-
tigation of the matter will at once convince them
of their error. We believe that all public execu-
lions tend to make the hearts of those who wit
ness the scene more Indifferent to death, and con-
scquenty less fearful of the penalty of the law
We believe that man, having no power to give
life, has right to take it-s vengeance is mine,
will repay saith the Lord.' We believe that
many persons hung arc innocent, and this alone
initiates against the law, for it is not in accord
ance with our idea of a Great and Mercful God,
that he should desire the lives of his innocent
children. We believe that close confinement for
murder is far preferable the community is
safe from the dcprcdations of the murderer, and
that if it should be proved in after years that he
was innocent of the crime alleged, it would cause
angels in heaven to rejoice. Thus believing we
shall at all times, on all occasions, and with all
our ability advocate the abrogation of the Death
Penalty.
We entertain no doubt but our correspondent
is actuated by the best and purest motives in his
advocacy of what he deems the right but we be-
lieve he is msled, and if in our discussion We
shall educe any further light upon matter which
has lain in darkness so long, we shall have ac-
complished something towards the cause of hu-
mainly.
''The agitation of thought, is the beginning of
wisdom," said great writer, and when this agi-
tation can be carried On in a kind, and gentle
manly manner, it tends to elevate the minds of
both writer's and readers. God has given us rea-
son, thought, judgment, and he expects us to ex-
crcise these qualities of the mind. In doing so,
we do not incur the ill will of the Divine being,
but rather his appreciation in carrying out the in
junction investigate all things hold fast that
which is good" &C Puny, finite man" has per-
feet right to '' in erfere'' in these matters to
analize them to search for the truth-n fact, he
is commanded so to do, and if he did not bring
his reasoning faculties to bear, he would be a
mere automaton in the hands of bigoted teachers.
There is no misplaced sentimentality - in this.
We rest the matter here for to-day assuring our
correspondent that we will give him every oppor-
tunity in our power to make his views known to
the public, claiming fer ourselves the right to re-
ply.