Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1871-11-23


case, they can hardly be respon-
sible for their conduct. If q man has
had the damning examples of vice
served up to him in his youth; if his
parents have inbred in him a thirst for
life; and if his education has tended
to vice, rather than virtue, is the man
to be punished. The laws of our
country say that he should bo-~iung,
but reason, justice~and humanity
would call his execution naught else
than legalized murder.
Capital punishment should be abol
ished, if for no other reason than
that of expcdiency. And imprison-
ment for life substituted. 1t is amply
proved in the records of crime which
have been given us from those States
which have abolished this system of
punishment, that murders have de-
creased largely since its abolition
These are the practical results which
have been produced, and they are
worth more than page after page of
theory upon the terrible consequences
which would inevitably ensue from the
abolition of this current system of
gratifying revenge. These are stern
facts, which would be produced in ev-
cry State where they would imprison
for life. 1t is certainly evident that
all punishment which is engaged in,
simply to crafty revenge, is wrong
1t is hostile to the spirit of Christian
philanthropy. All its measures and
promptings are tainted with the es-
sence of mental and moral death. II
it had never entered the heart of man,
how many of the fearful wars which
have scourged, and visited death and
dire calamity on the human race,
would have been averted? Mankind
would have been much better off at the
present time. But as it has been, the
best purposes of mankind have been
throttled. The means of reformation
have been disregarded, and life for life
is the only expiation.
A few years ago it was the custom
TO execute men for theft. But as the
world has come to be more moral, ex-
ecution falls only on the man who is
convicted of willful and premeditated
murder. This seems to show that the
prejudices of men are gradually dying
out; and it is very probable that un-
de- the benign Influences of Ehristiani.
ty, capital punishment for any offense,
will be numbered with the things gone
by. It very often happens that the in
nocent suffer with the guilty. The
Savior of the world was nailed to the
cross in order to crafty the revenge
of furious mob. Take it all in all,
there have been more innocent men
executed even in the sanction of the
law, than there bave been men who
were really guilty. And what fear
ful thing it is that an innocent man
should suffer the pains and ignominy
of execution. This alone e'should plead
like angels trumpet tongued," against
the deep damnation of capital pun
ishment. But if an innocent man
should be convicted of murder and
sent to the penitentiary instead of be-
ing hung, and some circumstance
should develop the fact that he was an
innocent man, some-snrt of repara.
ton could be made to him. But when
mans neck is once broken on the
scaffold, its a very hard thing to repair
it. 1t would appear much better tc
imprison men from the fact that they
may be pardoned if Unnecessary.
Reformation should be the prime
motive in all punishment. 1t is Ger
tainly possible. We know that mer
who advocate capital punishment be
lieve that man is worse after impris
onment than he was before. But it i
certainly absurd to say that men cal
not be reformed. It is fact beyon,
refutation that men can be reformed
and if they come out of prison wors
than they went in, it only shows tha
they have not had the proper treat
; ment
But there is class of individual
whose estimate of humanity is not yer
Fl large, unfoFtuRatslsy-y-u ussGl-.vIuv,-v--,-o
I and shun a man because he has don
t something to excite public hatred
: But even though man should imbu
his hands in the blood of another mar
: though he be possessed of evil pass
r ions of over which he has no control
e vet there is still something of beaut
: in his soul; there is still some virtue
I'll about him which entities him to the r
5 spect and sympathy of his fellow mai
nj And the laws of our country should
!? so frsmeti-taat. they will tend to r
J. form him rather than subject him to Il
) qualification of revenge, in order
e harden the hearts of spectators. L
e men not tampen with the life which
: can not give, and which belongs on
II to God.
1t Life is too sacred to be destroy,
! by man who is liable to err, and who
ct 8 0rt comings render him as depen
,b ent on the mercy of the Creator, as
,e who is induced to take life by conc
A. tions over which he has no control.
be JEFFERsoNvILLE, Ohio, Nov. 5.