The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-27

AcSolullOnS hOopteus
meeting was held last evening ut Steinway Hall
to promote the cause OF the International Prison
Congress which Is to assemble In London next
July The main object OF the gathering however,
was to hear from DR.. Wines, Commissioner OF the
United states to organize International Penlten.
uary Congress, statement OF the progress
end results of his mission. The meeting was
likewise In measure responsive to similar
one held IN London last November, and endorsed
the action OF the European and South American
governments in relation to the Congress, and in
tended to give expression to the voice and sentiment
OF America on this subject, and to take the ncces-
eary measures, SO far the United states Is con-
cerned, for the meeting OF the Congress- There
was pretty large attendance though 1t was hardly
80 numerous as was generally expected, while the
absence of several OF the distinguished speakers
announced to take part LII the proceedings caused
some disappointment. But there was nevertheless
manifested the deepest interest In the great cause
OF prison reform. at eight O'Clock the platform
was occupied by several distinguished gentlemen.
On entering Ex-Governor Seymour was greeted
with al enthusiastic welcome.
DR.. PRIME called the meeting to order. He sald:-
The occasion appeals to interests citizens TO
our judgment as pnanthroplsts to hearts as follow
ers OF Him VINO said, al was In prison. and We came
unto me-" With us tonight are distinguished
statesmen and churchmen-the law and the Gospel
blending III this divine mssion-and their presence
gives moral grandeur to the hour. Forty years ago
the King OF the French sent two OF his most emf
nent men-Beaumont, his Attorney General,
and De Tocquevle-to study prison sys-
tenn. They came Sing sing, where 1
was then a teacher. We had a sunday school
In the state Prison, which these French com.
mlssloncrs requested The privilege OF attending.
De TocquevIe stood by my side holding the Bible
IN his hand While 1elon convict recited Uer6at,ns
TWO entire ana beautiful chapters from the
Gospel or ST. John. Turning 10 me- the great HIS
tOran and statesman said, elias NOT this instruction
much TO do with the government OF the prison ~
That their first visit, their first lesson and the
moral OF it went with them. They recorded the i'm
preston their report 10 the French government.
In my school--nOt In the prison, but in
the Academy-was boy, then learning his
alphabet, and his name was John. He subse-
quenty became the Chief Magistrate OF this city,
and Is now the justly honored Governor OF the
Sta tie OF New York. In his necessary absence
have with us one who, by common consent is in
the front rank OF the statesmen OF country as
ph,lanthropist ana social philosopher. and pro-
pose that Mr. Horato Seymour be requested to pre-.
MoRATIo sEyMouK's ADDRESS
Mr.. HoRArIo SEYMOUR on coming forward was
received with enthusiastic applause. He said That
we had lately had IN our community crimes oil viO-
lence, fraud ana corruption, which ut this time
starlie the American public. They excite general
Indignation alarm, and The offenders pointed
at as men 10 be scorned anu dctested. But this
does not touch nor cure the underlying causes of
these evils. These men had no such genius IN crlme
that they could, or themselves WORK out all their
baleful deeds II there had not been state OF morals
and depraved public opinion which gave hotbed
growth TO their powers to work mischief.
They did not make corruption. Corruption
unnOIced until they we're made pestilental by
favoring circumstances just as the lurking diseases
mospnere developes tnelr deadly poisons We can.
not deal with TINS subject OF the suppression oil
crime in a large and truthful way without arraIgn-
ing the public. In no civilized country, and,
let me add for the honor OF our country ut no other
period OF It's history, would such men be tolerated
enough OF Indignation against criminals; too much,
indeed II it so nils the minds OF our people that they
forget to LOOK for the Of those evils II they
glect the duty Of finding out how much or the guilt
can be traced back To themselves Unless we CONFRONT
the disorders OF the times bold and earnest
way, we snail merely cut down one class OF wrong
doors SO that they mas be followed by another,
which will spring up In Its place. Crimes do not
show so clearly the Character OF the criminals as
they 40 the social aspect OF the communities III which
they are committed. All who study the problems
Of government struck with the fact tnat
the American people are IN many ways most
enough OF political strife, passion and prejudice,
but the feeling That wealth and power ana influence
respect our men OF wealth fan far behind the
privileged classes OF Europe. British peer OF the
realm Will take part In questions OF government,
local or general where one or our city merchants
Heels that IN some way he may compromise his dig
IL
understand that he looks upon all sucn things
As unworthy diversion from the great duty Of
taxing care oil himself aud his personal affairs. DIR.
Wines, at whose instance TINS meeting Is held has
just come back from Europe where he went to lay
reformation OF criminals before the statesmen
and thinkers OF that Continent. The leading
once took hold Of the great subject. We come mere
tonight to excl a like interest IN the minds OF the
American people. Above all, we hope We can sur
up our men OF influence TO sense OF the great
truths 80 constantly forgotten In the excite.
and and powers have duties as well as ngnts.
Mr.. seymour then proceeded 10 dilate upon the
the various features OF the present criminal code.
he considered tnat In some instances the present
instances showing the injustice OF the system, the
speaker went on 10 say that 1t was the duty OF a
state 70 SS cultivate every good QUALITY OF The crm
acts, not for their general characters. Hope
and %e have DeS pa great ecr
gained some combinations for those prisoners VINO
BEHAVE we but I'M mere o o Is a great nea Of
less; feeling that their long years or toll have
brought to them or their families no gain. but
bodies and backened characters. How different
would be their conditions If by wise legislation they
flies the whole or share or their earnings. That
hopeless toll which now only weakens their
bodies ana wears out their souls would then
be made instinct with nope. How would they follow
their gam in their Imagination as It went
10 give comfort to tner families; how would
their best affections glow aud kindle as IN their
speeches. solitude they were thus linked to
the OBJECT OF their a1ection how would they
gain the courage which would make them
ready TO battle with the trials OF life when
the days OF their discharge should come. Wise
legislation would make our prisons gateways to re.
formation Now there Is Sc imped upon their portals
the aspect winch tell all who enter them that they
must leave nope behind. II we turn from the prisons
where grave offences are punished to our Jaiis we
must be still more shocked. In them crimes are
actually taught. In them the pubic Keep I'D
schools OF vice where more than all other places
where the vicious resort human nature Is degraded
n a lint n
down the whipping post. This Is well, but what
do we have IN its placer Vile dens, where men
are gazed at like wild beasts In cages where the
young are taug mt and confirmed In vice; where the
Old and shameless offenders 60 10 get food ana
shelter wnie their families surer. nave
seen so much or this that when i look
npOn the laws against disorders and drunkenness