Daily national Democrat., 1859-04-17

The Governor Of the State of New York
has issued circular to all the prisons and
penitentinries o: the StOte. designed to put,
ting stop to their signing, or making in
person,applications for the pardon of convicts
under their charge He informs them that
all such petitions from them will be returned,
and that any interference of this kind on
their part, will be prejudicial to those whom
they are designed to serve" This is a wise
step on the part of Governor Morgan, and
will, no doubt, relieve him from much ncon-
venience. while it subserves also the public
good. and contributes to the enforcement of
Justice. The spirit of our laws has become so
very merciIul towards offenders, and inries
and judges have such tender hearts, that
rognes seem to get into duress in spite Of the
courts, than through their instrumentality.
! If all executive officials, from the Governor
down to the turnkeys. are to constitute a tao.
it official league, still further to favor the cri-
minal, we may despair Of any protection to
honest men.
There is no man so poor and base, that
some friends or relatives do not feel for him.
and labor TO shield him from the consequences
of his crimes. The keepers of penitentiaries
are witnesses to much that the world never
sees. The narrowing grief of relatives, the
despair OF mother for her son, and the hui
initiating and bitter grief of children for their
parents are continually before them. Not
seldom the sutfcrings Of those outside the
walls plead more strongly than the condition
of those within Men of humane or weaL
tenperaments are induced To use their official
position to advance petitions, with the PRAYER
of which which they would have less symno
thy, IT the cases presented stood entirely ON
their own merits. AS to the good conduct ot
prisoners under sentence, that is to a certain
degree compulsory. The want Of opportuni
ty to do i'll does much common sense. despair
and Incidence do more to keep prisoners an
parently sedate and penitent. Good behavior
in prison is no proof of reformation until il
has been followed 10y correct demeanor unde,
the temptation of freedom.
We should be glad to see the example Of
Gov. Morgan universally followed. And the
purposes of justice wOnld be served still fur
ther by publication of all applications for
pardon before action is taken upon them
The names and residence of all petitioner,
ought to be given in full This would pro
luce such an expression of public opinion q,
would assist the magistrate in whom the no
NVI VI t'oiuOhiHB 10 lOuSeus ana IL nl5il
elicit facts which would destroy a specous OF
merely sentimental plea, and develop the
previous history of many man " caught at
last, !" after long career of unpunished viii
lainy.
Honest and unsuspicious men are now en-
tirely too much at the mercy Of the designing
and the knaysh. Many petitions are thougt-
le'sly signed to escape importantly. which
lta cit - ~
ected to the ordeal of public inspection. II
IS" grave responsibility which he assumes
VINO ieIs convicted iransgressor loose upon
socle'y. ana the onus should not be left en-
Irey upon the executive. The public has
deep interest in the matter. and safety to
me iimh and property demand that when n
c,tnlhnl .n Is convicted and sentenced he should
very. few and exceptional cases should this
rule be relaxed.-Phi!sdsIpAiG North 1meyi.
can --"'''''