The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1873-03-29
Deaals al,e Penalty Of szurder.

The execution Of Foster, for the MUIR
der of Putnam, ~hich took place on
Friday, March 21st, :.a. called fort!
extensive comments fren tie Press
throughout the length and breadth of
the, land. The question which agitatsd
the mind of the people of New York,
"Hou 10 stem the tide of murder"
naturally evolved the questions, of the
uiorsf Justice Of capital punishment, its
eSpediency and effect. In our last issue
we published an extended extract from
a.1ssermon of gifted minister of the
gospel, whose arguments as 10 the sane.
ton and moral, social aud religiouo JUS
tice OF the death penalty were irrefut-
able, Before even the PRONUNCIATION Of
the sdecalosue, the canon of death for
piRrder iwps announced from Heaven az
dnS of the fundamental principles of
Gods moral government and az q safe
guard for His creatures from their own
pagsions. The first divine statute is a
renal, one for the greatest Of all crimes.
heaven, by this statute, has enforced
ufsn human society, upon government
this sanctioned right and imperative
duty
= Though depraved morality and
Manton in6delity may exclsim' iu their
own iayorite and repeated phrassology
Hang ing is played out" yet its sane
tion remains written the first command
iHehe, in the revelation of Gods will.
The first sseat object of human
punishment is to deter others by terrible
example. Can there be any hesi.ancy
In deciding upon the wisdom and policy
CT this terrible punishment for murder 2
a siekly sentimentality may shuddcr
at the retribution of life for life bu,
the political philosopher, the patriot or
the christian will have NO scruples in
bbeJing and admiring this his eeuutry's
and his Gods first law.
Atheism aud low state of social
purity and morals may incite morbid
ssEmpathy for the murderer but the law
stands majestic and true: "Whoso
Shsddeth mans blood, by man shall his
blood be shed tor in the image of G cd
Nlsds be man." Marx the reason
The execution of Foster, under the
SesreumStances was remarkable and
great, event, aud Dix, the governor of
New York has by the unfiinching dis.
charge OF isduty afforded memorable
example for the guidance of executive
eoffiesrs IA the exercise of the prcroga.
ysiFe ee arden.
IEssEeycr was all the enginery of sympa
lhy go 'lfully arrayed and exercised
than in this case. Ya he remained
true toithe principles Of divine and hu
man; Justice, and quailed not He dis
played o. sublinier heroism aud truer
moral courage in withdrawing all the
path0s Of appeal, all the ingenuity of
aophistry, an the influence of wealth,
: position and society, than does the
bronzed general in confronting the
bztteries, the mHltilatios and death. In
withstanding, he is greater victor.
~ The lesson will be most salutary as it
sdsas most nosded in New York.
Y Murder will 40 longer bo the brutal
theme Of jest and boast, nor will tho
:, murderer strut, the hero of tho rufian
,raEew.5 But the sanctity of life, the
Ismsjssty Of law are mos. nobly illustra
tedjaEd vindicated All honor to Dix
Ho has done his duty, when most sore
~ tempted to disregard it.
1.-THE sublime spectacle of the COVER
sdnor, surrounded by the ingenuity of
ssgrsas learning, the glitter Of great in
lhpehce, and the most plan,ive appeals,