New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-27
4 v1yDIcArYoy OF BANGING.

A venerable correspondent-he says he Is ~
years old, but we should suppose him at least
n hundred-sends us an elaborate defense Of
taking human life by human law, which we
print in full, and ask for it the thoughtful
attention of our readers. It's conclusions rest
almost if not quite wholly on theologic prem
Uses which we deem unsOund-on daring as
sumptons and what seem to us wholly I'M
authorized deductions from texts wrcnehed at
will from Revelations, or Genesis, or any other
Scripture that may seem TO serve the end IN
view We do not review our correspondents
citations, and endeavor to point out his lead
ing mistakes, simply because that would in
yolye us i'm a contest between rival theOlogies
and arouse sectarian prejudces and antipa-
thies We leave that whole field. with the
simple remark that we think "Senex" misunder-
stands and misapplies nearly all the texts he
quotes so fuenty and applies so daringly.
We propose to test tho fundamental assump-
tons of "Senex' by ordeals chosen by himself
and by him pronounced infallible, viz:
I."Senex" scouts the suggestion that these
O. Oh Testament, Mosaic. Jewish teachings are
"nuliGed, or very much modified, by New
Testament revelations lie holds, on the
v,
"pDyed In constructing those [0ld Tesla
"m,ntl writings were no more nor less than
"m,uth pieces of Coz. our SayiOur-instru-
"mants employed by the supreme reyelator,
"Jeus Christi &C., &c. Very well: let US
test this assumption by familiar example
thai given In Matt. XIX, where "the Pharisecs,
tdnptng him." propounded to Jesus the Mo-
sale law of divorce, which he, most righteously.
rep,dated; whereupon
they say unto him, Why did Moses then. command
to eve writing of enforcement and to put Der away
80 saith, unto them. Noses mot God, by any meantl
because Of tho hardness OF your hearts, suffered you 10
put way your wvos but rom he beginning Il eds mol
So" ~ rs
See also his declaration that 1.-THE law and
" the prophets were until John p-plaiDly imply
ing that their binding effect had ceased. In
shor, We cannot see how any one can read the
GOSPELS and not SEQ that Jesus came TO fulfill
and supersede tho Mosaic by new and better,
because more humane and mcreiful, dispense
ton His treatment of the Sabbath seems to
us understandable on any other assumption
thai that Of the abrogation of the Mosaic law.
Bus we decline to 60 deeper into theology.
II. "Senex" asserts that Jesus Christ, as
+" sovereign regulator of al governments, has
Established the principle that - human
"jeings who leave this world In q state of
",nmity to him shall suffer all their natures
"are capable OF enduring eternalIy." Well:
sihco he can take them out OF this world ut
a,y moment, we think this ought to sa.iate
tie yengeful wrath even of cur correspondent.
but It does not Like Oliver Twist. he wants
."some nore.r And no finds it. ip a further
Divine requirement, in which he finds all
Pagaus, and more especially oil felons, concur
ring" that, in any State or nation, the appre-
ehended aud fully convicted murderer ellaIl
" certainly be put to death" , S.. .,9 ~, =
Now, eetaipty 10 the punishment OF guilt is
an excellent thing; but we consider ceferIiy
quito rs wholesome and necessary. Felons will
consent that penalties may be heavy and inex-
orable, IL you give them long season of Inn
punity In cvii-doing with q chance torepent
afterward and thus escape punishment alto
gether. And "Senex" quotes four instances
wherein murderers were punished under tho
legal regime he is upholding, 1. Where man
slayer was convicted and sentenced 70 DEATH