The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1857-03-04

that sveu moaern, clVlilEeo ina CHRIS
tian communities, for a long time acted
a very different principle, and attemp-
ted to lessen crime by the severity of
their punishments. In the days of
Z" Blackstone'-the author of an inval-
liable elementary law treatise-they had
in England no less than one hundred
and sixty capital crimes. This was
found to be not only cruel but unavail-
ing, and the result of all experience
proves severe and sanguinary laws to
be as useless and unnecessary, as they
are repugnant and hateful. The sound.
est and most wholesome public senti-
ment, and a strict regard for the rights
of the State, do not demand that man.
kind should be governed with great
and extreme severity. 1t should be graf
flying not only to the philanthropiss, but
to those whose duty it is to execute the
law, to know that the end of all punish
ment is not reached by cruel, barbarous.
and inhuman punishments. 1t seems
to me that the one great aim in admin
istration of the criminal law should be,
to preserve the peace and good order of
society,-to protect the life, liberty, and
property of the whole community, from
wanton aggression-with the least posi-
BILE amount of severity. Now an exam
~ination of our criminal code will satisfy
you and any impartial mind that mild
ness, strict justice, and, principles of hu-
mainly, pervade every portion of it.
There is evidently a growing, and an
increased necessity for vigilance and
energy in every branch of the admins
tration Of criminal law. The spirit of
the age i~nclines and tempts too many
into e~xtravagant habits. Men desire to
live too fast-men live beyond their
means-which all experience has proven
to be productive of crime. Benedict
Arnold, the traitor. aud Professor Web.
ster, the murderer, are striking, and il,
lustrious instances of the natural but
IuluOu6 GAcSbo Vi sni6 "OuhuOSS. 1ueEC
is, it seems to me, q growing passion for
vain, aud useless dress -luxurious,
sumptuous. and wasteful living, which
tends to produce q false public taste
infinite mischief, and frequently crime.
On the other hand industry, economy,
and frugality, are virtues which check
and restrain crime, and always keep men
within the path of innocence. The
rapid increase in our population, and
numerous and multiplying chances
and facilities of escape, have the natural
effect to produce bold and daring crimer.
and almost to afford at times ~impunity
to criminals. This is certainly to be
lamented; and has been most seriously
aud deeply realized in your w County
within the last few months. A heart
rendiug murder, almost unparalleled for
boldness and atrocity, has been perpe-
trated, and the offender is still at large
and unknown.
The Legislature has provided that GER
tain laws shall be specially given you in
charge. These I shall briefly mention.
And first. Of the subject of gambling.
This is certainly a great offence against
public morals, and when fully consider
ed in all its bearings and evil conse-
quences, is well worthy of the particu-
lar attention of every Grand Jury.
Notwithstanding the evil effects of this
vice, and the we'll known consequences
growing out of an indulgence in it, many
persons, from the various motive and
inducements which it presents, are mis-
led into its meshes and ruined. It is
sometimes INDUCED in, and most gener-
ally at first, for the mere purpos, of
amusement, and recreation, and without
any view to wicked gain; and then some
are disposed to regard it as innocent and
harmless, even in a moral point Of view.
But this view cannot be sustained when
we reflect that this amusement begets a
taste which soon grows into a passion
for gambling for money; and then this
tends naturally, and almost necessarily to
produce every other kind of vice, immor-
atty, and crime. Idleness, drunken
ness, theft, and even in many instances
self.murder, are the direct and legiti-
mate offspring of this vice.
This law inficts severe but just pun.
ishment on those who practice gambling
for a livelihood. Can you conceive of a
useless, immoral, and pernicious calling
or habit, whether you have reference to
the effects on the person who follows it,
or on the community at large in which
he moves and has his being? These per-
are not generally found with any
fixed place of residence, and more par
ticularly in an inland, town for the want
Of sufficient opportunities to practice
wicked artf and cunning. These
gamblers by profession generally go from
town to town, for the purpose of preying
upon any one-and generally the young
aud uususpecting-they can by artful
allurements ensnare into their company.
I am satiied you will not hesitate to lay
hold of any such if within your reach.
You should be particularly vigilant and