Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-07-17
CONVICTED CRIMINALS.


CONVICTED CRIMINALS.
Men have sometimes been led TO term
thot clause of the American Declaration
of Tndenendence, that declares all mento
ho created free and equal, glitterlng
generality. sounding well in theory but
practically false and dclusiye, ana
many learned essays have been written
10 harmonic this declaration with the
actual facts of society and government.
On the other hand, while slavery existed
in the Southern States, that institution
was constantly pointed at as an evidence
that the American people did not design
to reduce to practice what they solemnly
proclaimed IN the first State paper OF the
nation but latterly greater evidence OF
the inequality of men before the law Is
found in the ability of aristocratic erlm-
mails TO either prevent conviction for
known crimes or of obtaining delays and
advantages in the trial which in effect
in many cases amount to a failure OF
justice.
But when conviction follows trial
for felony the influence of money anu
standing vanishes, and the convicted
felon feels that the meanest rutliau was
not only born to equal rights, but that
he retains them even within the walls of
the States prison. When Col. De Uta-
sy, who had held high place in New
York society and in military circles, was
convicted of defrauding the government,
and sentenced to Sing Sing, he under
took to carry his aristocratic airs with
him, and informed the warden that he
had a university education, spoke eleven
languages, and had been acting briga-
dier-general in the volunteer service OF
the United States, and he desired sepa-
rate apartments and different fare from
ordinary criminals, but the reply OF the
warden that all were high privates
there, and spoke but one language, and
wanted but very little of that, gave him
hint of the stern equality that prevails
within prison walls.
We also read that the family and
friends of the young parricide Walworth,
were DESTROYS OF giving him separate
apartments and exclusive associations in
Sing Sing, and that they were greatly
outraged that Sheriff Brennan should
remove him from his cell in New York
on his way to the States Prison, chained
and ironed like common thief, instead
of allowing him to ride in his mothers
carriage, accompanied by deputy sher-
if. Thurlow Weed and General Har-
din may make their visits of coincidence
to the Tombs, and remind the prisoner
by their presence of his high family and
aristocratic connections, but when he
arrives at his lifelong home at Sing
Sing, he dons the same striped raiment,
and submits to the same hair dressing
operation that all others adopt by the
regulations of the institution. And with
out doubt in brief time he will be able
to make as good pair of shoes as any
hummer, who has received ten years
sentence for tapping till, or throwing
a railroad train from the track.
There are many social distinctions
among men. Some have greater stat
ure than others, some more talents and
different mental makeup. There is
no exact equality of station or attain.
ments, but under the law of this free
land there is an equal right open to al
native born citizens to attain the highest
place in the nation, all political prefer
ments are open for all to strive for an6
obtain. There is no one so humble Oh
poor but what he may win the Creates
wealth or social standing. The humble
German adventurer, John Jacob Astor
by his enterprise and industry accumula
ted the largest private fortune of hi
age. The senate is filled with men from
every walk of life, and of every staml
of character, and so too the states prisol
counts among its inmates all classes, an
no man fares better there because of hi
name or antecedents. He may win ia
vors by his greater intelligence or b.
good behavior, but the same opportunit
is open to the unknown and friendless
Each is given his task, each his simpl
prison fare and his yariegated prison COS
tune, and he there sees that equalit
among men which in his previous e2
perience he has failed to observe in th
wide world outside.