The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-11-06
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

Among the laws upon our statute
books that still, Notwithstanding the
frequent manipulations of wisdom, re.
main as heritage to us from the dark
ages, is the one based upon the old re.
vengeful theory of "a life for a life"
True, the abrogation of this law has
been sought for years, by some of earth'i
best and noblest, yet with a tenacity
born of that which is the most degrad
ing to humanity, it still remains dis
grace to an enlightened people, anC
yearly sends to their final account many
who, were life spared and opportunity
given, would be a benefit to themselves
and perhaps to the world.
The very fact that in numerous in.
stances persons who have given theil
lives to satisfy the vengeance of this
barbaric law, have afterward been found
innocent, while the guilty party, Gun
whipt Of justice" except by the remorse
of his own conscience, has gone free,
should be in itself sufficient to wipe ii
from the statutes of every humane ma
tion under the sun. Human Judgment
is too liable to err, to arrogate to itself
the disposal of the life OF a fellow
creature. Better, a thousand times bet
ter, that many guilty persons should es-
cape punishment than that one inno-
cent person should suffer.
Again, all laws should have benefi-
cent intentions, and if this one has such,
its advocates fail TO present them in
way that is at all satisfactory to those
who desire the good of their fellowmen.
The only argumen; that is possessed of
any force whatever for retaining this
blot upon our statutes, Is found in the
assertion that the terror which the pen
atty inspires prevents the more frequent
commission Of crime.
But let US for a moment consider the
usual circumstances connected with the
preparation of the crime of murder. In
a vast majority of cases the crime is
committed when the murderer is labor
ing under some influence that renders
him for the time utterly reckless, and
totally regardless of consequt noes. How
much Of a restraint does possible hang
ing place upon the actions Of man who
is temporarily frenzied by intoxicatlon,
anger, jealousy, or other causes which
lead him TO take the life of his brother?
Those who plot to kill and lie in wait
to accomplish their purpose are the real
criminals, and they, usually while lay
Ing the plans to effect that purpose, lay
yet others whereby they escape the PEN
atty attached. If, however, they fail in
this, term of life service in the State
Prison would be vastly more beneficial
TO the criminal himself, to his friends,
to society and State than the act of tax
ing his life could possibly be.
1t was hoped by many that the Ore
gon Legislature at its late session could
be induced to give this matter careful
and humane consideration. A few per.
SONS worked earnestly for bill that was
intended to annul law whose effect i:
to wipe out great wrong by the com.
mission of a greater. But like severa
other measures that deserved thought
ful consideration, it failed, though few
stood by it with unfaltering courage.
The pernicious effects of public execu
tious are undoubted and unbounded
The crowds that flock from far and neal
TO witness the ghastly spectacle are {
sad commentary upon the evils inherent
in human nature. And while we, il
common with many others who prefe
TO see justice tempered with mercy
rather than made hideous by revenge
deplored the failure of the attempt mad,
to abolish capital punishment in oul
State, we are thankful for one step in
the right direction, and think that the
late Legislature atoned for many acts oI
omission and commission when I'm its
last moments it passed with such expe-
dition the act providing for the private
execution Of the death sentence. With
this We must be content for the present
IN this State, but the voice of humanity
will eventually be heard, and those
whom the recording angel places in the
category of those "who love their fel.
lowmen" will not cease their arguments
and opportunities until the State shall
refuse to commit a crime that 1t seek;
TO punish in an individual. Then shall
dark and pitiless vengeance vacate the
place 50 long occupied by the side Of the
already cOnscienee-stricken criminal
and charity, hand in hand with love
shall minister unto him and lead him
into better ways.