The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-04-08
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.


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in defense Of the .DGalh Penalty for
murder. Our adversary quotes the
Sixth Commandment, Thou shalt not
XIII" aud with this 10 would condemn
tho legal execution Of an assassin US
murder. 10 my mind its meaning is
not so significant. The first instance
we have where God commands death to
DO inflicted upon the murderer is in a
precept delivered to Noah. Subsequent
to this the above commandment was
given to the Jews, Now. had we no
further authority, "Anti.C hoker"
might contend, with some plausibility.
that 1t Comprehends the taking Of life
in any form; but forty years after
giving the Ten Commandments God,
through the inssrumentality Of his SER
want Moses, established cities ofrefuge,
Among the laws given for their gov
eminent, we fpd the following (:
Moreover 20 shall take no satisfaction
for the life Of a murderpr, which is
guilty Of death but he shall be surely
put 10 death" We think Ii obvious
that this commandment was not given
to prevent the legal execution Of the
murderer. but as moral guide to d.
rect and control each member Of society.
"Bu.," snys my friend, whence de-
riyes the State its authority for this
Id,edi' We answer from God. Capt.
tai Punishment, as We have shown, was
instituted by Him, and has never been
revoked or annulled. Inihoteachings
Of Christ and His Apostles wenowhcre
find 1t condemned, but, upon the con-
trary, we End the people constantly
cxhortcd TO DO obedient to the ordi-
nanccs Of the existing powers. And
il is fact consonant to all that Capital
Punishment was known to these laws.
"For" sayspaul when accused before
Festus. "ifl be an offender, or have
committed anything tyathy Of areth, !
refuse not to die; but il there be none
Ofthcseithings whereOfthese accuse me,
no man may deliver me unto them, Z"
thc Jews. From this it seems that
death was not only taopn to tue law,
but that the Apostles considered Ger.
tain olfcnscs "rOrthy cfdeaM." But
again, says AMT Uhokcr," "God has
given me life-I hope | an not un-
grateful for this blessing but he has
given mo no control over my life"
Tho grounds upon which this PROPOSE
ton is predirated / think nntcnablc.
It is a well kueBn fac. that by obscry-
ing, judicicusly, certain laws Of nature.
We. to a great extent, can prevent
disease aud iengthen life. While, upon
the other hand, II We disregard these
laws We cxpiate tho offence bya prem
AZURE death. The man who murders
violates one Of natures laws. and by
this violation as justly forfcits bis life
as he who fails to take due precaution
for his health. So, We hold, man may
long,hen or shorten bis life. Lie may
observe or violate the laws ofnature;
but Il he violates, the dictates ofreason
and revelation tell US he must suffer.
Lastly,we notice the following: Some
may say the Bible affords authority for
killing, and refer US TO Moses and the
Prophets. But was this authority
yalidY five arc Gods children, and
he has right to give US any commands
ut all, than this authority must be
equally valid; else We would observe
only that part Of His word which suits
best our incliaatiOn, with an utter dis
regard for,that which might be dis
tasteful. Until We can look, us the
gentleman seems to, upon Noses God
as ono Of "inhmanity and barbarity,"
we arc not prepared to accept his argu.
ment.
Honestly believing the side upon
which have urrayed myself to be that
of Justice and right, / hope l have
cOmbatted successfully the reason given
BY my opponent for the abOlishment Of
the Death Penalty and further, that
instead Of its being law pernicious,
revCngeful and diabOlical, It is wise,
prudent and humane, and that Tie
safety Of society demands that an &c.
IRENE remedy should Dc applied to an
entreme crime. Manlcr, being such a
crime, Death, las a pu6Mment therefor,
is tie most saeces.ful remedy. II in.
deed mankind were permitted to enjoy
undisturbed, all those absolute rights
which tue Creator originally designed
they should, il all were honest, and
each loved bis neighbor as himself,
then would human law become need.
less and a useless thing; but such, I'm.
fortunately, il no. the case. Man, we
are told, is "as prone to evil as The
sparks are to ay upward 1" therefore,
II unrestrained by municipal or civil
law tho weak would become prey to
the strong, and violence and passion
prevail. To prevent this, municipal
lawprc scribeS for man line Of civ
conduct, and further provides that 70.
the transgresion Of this law the often.
der shall suffer This punishment is
varied according to the nature of the
oifensc or crime. For matters triaipg |
within themselves, It Is small, but for
extreme crime, such as wilful, pre-.
meditatrd murder, and The like, our
law, in It's wisdom, declares man shall
die and this, say, is right. We