New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-03-24
PUNISHMENT WITHOUT VENGEANCE.
SERMON BY THE REV. HENRY WARD BEECHER-
THE ABOLITION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
FAVORFD-

SERMON BY THE REV. HENRY WARD BEECHER-
THE ABOLITION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
FAVORED.
The Rev. II. W. Beecher took his text yes
terday morning at Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, from
Ecclesiastes viii. Because sentence against an ev
work executed speedily therefore the hearts OF
the SONS Of men are fully set in them TO do evil" He
said in the OF the discourse
The nterectOns Of ndi znatOn which we hear against
criminals signs OF kind OF plain moral aversion Tor
crime but they neither wise nor Intelligent All are
calling out for rgor and more punishment. but
this dealing with the criminal class in community Is
not matter that be settled In moment ana Ger
tainy by passionate outcry. 1t Is one Of the most
difficult questions that come before the human mind
What society do with its morbid and criminal mem
beers involves many inquiries has in its history much
that is deep that the security Of the community against
the criminal becomes Of the most profound studies
OF the philosopher.
The grand end If punishment in society is the pFo.ec
ton OF society tsef but there Is no right IN human so
cety Of punishment the sake OF vengeance Society
protects itself when by Furnishing criminals It deters
others crime but society never protects itself 40
well as when BY furnishing IL reforms. How that pun
shment shall be given in what degree and with what
severity Is matter partly OF experience There u no
authority that binds society. in the word OF
God nor 2 out OF the word Of Cod to any de-
GREE 10 any line OF pun shment; II Is one 81 tS
nights No society has any right to punish crime II one
end and neglect ii at the other Its obligation l. 50 20
arrange laws civil procedures as least to provoke
violence. In attempting prevent crime experience
determines thai il Is not severity that prevents crime
II certainty and CELEBRITY that prevents II, anything
does is that certainty OF suffering very nearly eoinc-
dent with the amount OF wrong committed speedy JUS
ce and certain Justice are the prime vietors OF every
administered system Of punishment.
OF the prevalence of crime there can be no doubt
uaF con
the best men aud hitler OF the worst Of every na
ZION. We have got 10 deal not only with own na
tion but with almost all OF the nations OF the world
This is one reason 20 which, think, its increase Is
largely due-to the vast ignorant population thrown
upon hands There is too great increase OF prop
ery among u.s. and with IL an increasing desire Tor ita
possesson IL increases it, enemies Increase truth
becoming less and less regarded, and honesty bet"erh
man and man Lees regarded. This Is another cause.
The sale intoxicating drinks las, think been hueh
abated IN the regulated classes but in the unregulated
Glasses il Is increasing Now taking foreign population
mixed I'd also with the natves,I infSme and disease
them with drink 80 as break down their moral sense
and you pretty good analysis OF thh cue o lis
increase OF crime It ls hardly considered any longei
dangerous 10 be criminal The bulk OF those who com,
nit young. Ia Paris II mas oeeh eonpuleu
that nine parts IN of the crime there eomued wa
by persons under Is years OF age, ana thllk thA'
IN our own country the prlhelpsai a" gh -,
cbnpces OF detection great. and they encourage
men 10 deeds OElOenoe. Then add 10 TINS 1e great w
certainty when men detected. arrested, Drougni
INTO court aud arragned, OF their being eonvNed Al
all tfles there D. large amount Oh pOtical lAHuthet
brought into the courts which fatal There never was
step 80 near 10 barbarsm when the election Oh erin
i Knows maj when his term Of ONCE has exp red hi
rescfinn IL ia the hands OF tho poopeof tADse very
burglars ana robbers who are brought before nm. IL
This not all There Is vast pcc1u.Ary nlueDee Trough
%lsl Is to Ta.asly Ia ,aA state OF tanGai o.