New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-06
THE DEATH-PENAL TY.

| The subject Of Penal Reform involving in its con-
dcrstion the origin and proper treatment fcEime, is
at the present time aresting the attention Of every
| truly reflective mind. Among the many obstacles
which re.ard tie car a progress and hang like clogs Of
leaden weight upon the chariot of reform, the Gal
lows stands Ireeminent. IT has long been the prom
nent instrument in the hands of Government 10 pun
sh crime that It is not very strange that many still
regard as absolutely essential TO the regulation and
wel-being Of Society. But brief examination Of its
Influence on the morals Of community will, we think,
difel the idea thar II has ever BEEN be,
efEcacious in suppressing crime.
1t has ssssyed TO he the great instrumentay through
which crime is to be punished and yet! through its OPP
Grafton and influence 1t o.ters tina, very spirit which
ncies 10 cruelty and the commission Of capital oenses.
IL has claimed for itself peculiar efficacy, which is
to promote public virtue by cOercing mankind into
deeds of righteousness Il processes 10 be the terror Of
evidoers yet it cannot be shown that it has pre-
vented the commission Of a single crime. 1t seeks TO
encourage virtue by perpetrang the very act which
it d.lounces and parishes as crime. II seeks 70 pro-
mote morality by assaDg the spirit of Christianity.
Failing abort Of its apparent object and utterly falling
to restrain the commission of crme il has indeed be-
come question whether it should be longer sustained
by a Government protesting 10 be Christian and hu-
name.
Although the question Of Capital Punishment freely
discussed at intervals, and more especially whenever
a conviction has taken place and human life is
in jeopardy still it is quite evident that passion and
early prejudice enter too largely into controversies
thus thrutt periodically upon the public mind. Of all
question: this is one that should encbain the attention
Of every truly noble mind. II Is emnenUy worthy Of
mans highest and hottest consideration, requiring bis
calm and serious elaboration; a reflection Invested Of
all passion and prejudice and tempered by that benev-
olence which ever Dctes to good and noble action.
As bieviy, in newspaper communications 10 -cspt-
able TO both edittr and reader tha sondense into
as few words possible what desire 70 say, leav
ing for the the fuller argument of the
question.
The following iDterogatories are submitted 10
and should receive the careful consideration of every
individual: Has Government the right TO declare
forfeit the life of any human being II so, whence
did Government receive that authority Has man toe
right to delegate to individual the power to take
sway his life in certain contingencies II not, how
can lie delegate that power to Government Has man
the right 10 declare forfeit his life If 30, has he
not the night TO commit suiede Ii man has not the
right 10 dispose Of his life how can he delegate 70
Society or Government power which he does not
himself possess
In hanging fsllowbeing, has Government I'M
proved the condition of Society grated the nobler
feelings of nature, advanced the ends of justice
Or humanity On the contrary is not the execution
Il human being direct assault npon the public
als and violation Of private feelingi Does the IN
fiction Of that punishment restrain the commission Of
crme in ohersi If go, why does not crime decrease
altogether In those States where ii is nhicedi
If the gallows reAtrans from the commission of
cine. why DO, bang In public, that the rising gooera
tion may winners a spectacle 20 fiaught with moral
benefit Why abolish public executionsl j. Gov
eminent ashamed Of the execution Of lis own lave
Why not erect the gbbein your mars and beside your
churches ca public 10 the moral efficacy Of
tie ir,htstica'
Why seek the privacy Of the jaiLyard, excludlnsthe
people from any participation in an exhibition which,
IN its influence IL poten. 10 restrain the mission
Of crimef Why force the Sheriff to perform an act
which no humane person would volunteer 10 perform
in his individual capacity
in the death Of the criminal, does Society seek to