The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-12-04

/ tui thrr crimes use such human means OF cor
reciiOn ns are calculated to cnlightVn the
| criminal VI IheCuOrmiiy Of his crimes, aud IN
still good moral principles into his mind and
heart The clain.Eang aud wlppping-posi
are no such means they degrade, not ouly
( ilg sufferer forever, but leave a stain even
upon bis relations, and his Innocent ciil lTsn.
While no degrading punishment ever has Col-
rcclCd criminal, nor has the example ever
/ frightened other bad mtmhcrs Of society from
committing the same crimes Lind reaimenl,
| teaching and persuasion, often have done
wonder, in reforming even the most hnTdcncd
criminals.
The expenses ofkccpiug criminals in j1il'
nnd other institutions cAHnpt be used rs for
chile arguments in favor Of the degrading
whipping.post; society has to provide some
means for the prevention ufcrimCs, II can,
! however, he done 80 US 10 make the criminal
work aud support himsglfby his labor This
/ Is the newest most practical and most human
development regarding our criminals, theOn
" one by wnrh society will suffer the k ST.
and be gradually relieved Of the burden Of
prison taxation.
The punishment 'iill prevailing in tic army
and navy, and in England aud Canada nre Of
such small value as arguments IN tic defer O.
Of the crgsliy favored by our contemporary, us
not to deserved single line OF answer; they
arc condemned by every thinking mar.
SO sir; humanity IS not on the side Il the
whipping post; on the contrary, humanity
wcrpS and wells its face for shame at the bar
JaropS degrading ,islt,
We must confess 10 feeling VI sur.
prise that our usually careful Gotten.
porary has allowed hi, feelings to OBJ
tain the mastery ofhis judgment, We
did not suppose he would attempt to
con.rovert our assertion that the lob.
ljcCt ofpunishmcut was, by its example.
TO prevent a recurrence of crime"
He says that this theory was long ago
exploded; but when, where ar how he
does not explain. We submit to the
attcntion of our friend the following :
Blackstone says: "As Iuni.hments
arc chiefly intended for the prevention
of future crimes. it is but reasonable
that among crimes Of different natures,
thosr should be most severely punished
which are the most destructive of the
public safety and happiness
Bouvicr, in his law dictionary pub.
IlisLcd in 1865 (no. n very bnrborous
age , saws: 40 attain their social
end. puuisbmcnts should bo exemplary,
or capable OF intimidating those who
might be tsmpted to initiate the gull.
ity"
We nigh, occupy all our space with
similar cx,racts from the writings Of
every law commentator but deem tho
above sufficient to put in a weaving
way the wits of our Parkersburg
friend.
We still believe in and rcitera's ths
fact that "thc object of punishment i:
to prevent, BY its example, the rCcur.
renee of crime; : and shall not surrcn.
der our position until our contemporary
shows US how and when our theory was
exploded "
It is true that We all have equal
rights; but not the right to commit a
public wrong, or do an act "desrruc'
live of The public safety and happi-
ucss." II, forgetting the compact en-
tered into by all mankind with the
governing power. We commit an aci
worthy Of punishment. We must not
grumblc il the penalty of our evil deed
is unpleasant; but on the contrary,
should regard thu, punishment with the
greatest favor that will most eiicctuall,
deter US from committing like act il
the future.