Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-08-25
CAPITAL ruNIsHmENT.

CAPITAL. tIttShhL<ss
The objects Of punishment may be
regarded as ihree-iold-frst, to reform
the offender; second, to deter others
from offending; and last, to secure the
saca,v If the community by deprlving
che offender of the power of doing mis-
chief. The first of these is inadequate
"a nun;sbment by sudden death cuts oil
the means of reforming; and 1t reforms
e;on takes place in the time allotted the
criminal. be acts in regard to his speedy
dissolution, and not to 6t himself Tor The
nerformauce of his part as q good
o;,i7sn The second consideration, to
Ss,er Others, is rarely of much
heoefit. for men are net often deferred
from any crime when maddened by pas
sion and goadsd on by revenge Inc
sanitary effects Of example is iorgo''en
at tho time. and men never stop to con-
slider. and should they then, perehanee
their consoiences have been hardened by
the frequent sight of punishment inflicted
Sv the law, and they are Indifferent as
60 the conse quences that may follow.
We would venture the assertion that OF
the great number who witnessed the exc
eution in our city few days since, not
one of them would regard this as his fate,
should he be tempted to commit crime.
We haze SO often witnessed desertiou IN
the army, when the deserter knew full we'll
that should he be overtaken, nothing less
than death would be awarded him. But
still, with all the terrors Of the law before
his eyes, nothing could stop one OF these
devoid of patriotism. The example OF
others which be had seen shot before his
ewes had no effect on him. So with the
murderer; he is not eGtoped from the
preparation of his bloody act by what
he has seen Inflicted on others for ike
offense. The last of these considerations
TO secure the safety of the community by
depriving the offender Of the power OF
doing mischief, can be efectually AID
practically carried out 1t may be done
nv i'm prisonment, or in the last resort. by
taking the life of the offender, which
should be rarely resorted to. If the OBJ
iect be to secure the people Of a commu-
nity against outrage by one who has no
fear OF the law, then why not imprisOn
sueh one until reformation takes place,
and il not then, confinement for life.
The objection may be raised that
our prisons would not be adequate
TO secure and hold all the violators oil
law, and for that reason some Of the
greatest offenders of necessity should
receive the death penalty. Ii may be, If
such is the case, that the community
cannot be secured against desperate;
then it is all important that his life
should be taken as an enemy to society.
But so far as the reason Of the law 10
concerned, that punishment is Inflicted
to deter others, we regard it as futile.
Look, for instance, at the death Of Gal
vim, who was executed few days since
il the presence of 10000 people OF onr
city, aud consider the way in which he
met death, and it at once robs the law Of
its terrors. G alvin may have been guilty,
albeit it is said By competent attorneys,
who heard the testimony aud are familiar
with the records of the case, that he was
innocent Of the crime for which he
suffered death. But one thing is certain
that he met his fate with bravery that
deserved nobIer death than being
hanged by the neck like a dog Such
virtues displayed on the scafi0ld. with an
unknown eternity before the vision Of
the condemned, was at least sufficient to
call down the plaudils of the assem-
bly, for the man who displayed
such heroism in the hour OF death. Men
are hardened by the frequent spectacl,
OF such terrible exhibitions OF the law
aud are found to sympaihise with ant
cherish the memory Of the slain. Thu
bIoodiest codes are not those that hav
been most tffsciual in suppressing AM
preventing crimes, as the history Of III
entire world will show. Il is bsrbRrou
nations only who still persist in cruel an
vindiciive panishments. The spirit q
progression aud enlightenment are OF
posed to capital punishment. and as ~
advance the steep ascent Of civilization,
will be found that our people are more il
clined TO abolish the death punishmer
entirely. Public opinion is more an
more, every day. inelining toward ii
infection ofIight punishment for otfens'
against the community. Ia China mul
dsrers are cut TO pieces. 10 Turks