Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-02-24

those who clamor for his blood must hold
their peace. If neither justice nor
public safety requires pound, or an ounce,
or grain Of flesh, the State is morally bound
to throw the knife away. But, not only has
there been no increase of capital convictions
in those States where capital punishment mas
been abolished, but an actual decrease. Inc
State of Michigan abolished the gallows IN
ls47. Now what has been the result! Gut
of 63 couvicts committed to prison in lS4S'49,
were committed for murder, or per cent
of the whole number Out of 25O convicts
committed in 1869, two were committed Tor
murder, or eigh, tenths of one per cent OF the
whole. The average percentage OF murder
ers to other convicts, since lS47, when capital
punishment was abolished, has been one and
one tenth per cent; but, during the first
eleven years, the percentage was two and
seven tenths; during the last eleven years,
one and three tenths, showing decrease Of
nearly fifty per cent. in the number Of muir
derers convicted, when the two periods are
compared. In other words, the number of
convictions for murder, during the last eleven
years has diminished nearly half, as COM
pared with the first eleven years Of the period
that has elapsed since capital punishment was
abolished. In other words again, these Grim
inal statistics prove that murder has decreased
since capital punishment was abolished
Rhode Island repealed capital punishment
L., nd lat &c fho
Governor in letter to John Bright declares
that convictions are more certain under the
present law, which is well sustained by pub
lie sentiment. This statement is confirmed
"conviction for murder is more certain now
in proper cases than when death was the pun
ishment for it." In 1868, the State Warden
writes, 81 do not think the crime of murder
the death penalty. On the contrary, consid-
ering the increase of population, it has de-
creased" The result Of abolition in Wis
consin 1883 is quite satisfactory. By a
comparison Of the six previous years to the
repeal of capital punishment with HE eight
following years after its repeal, there was
to say nothing Of the increase of population
- (Which was six hundred to nine hundred
thousand) decrease in the average of what
are termed deadly crimes. Iowa also has
abolished the hangman's rope, but not suffi-
cient time has elapsed to determine upon re-
suits. Throughout continental Europe there
is a constant and steady decrease of crimes
made capital by law. The experiment of alb
clifton has been tried in Bombay, Russia, Tus-
cany and other countries, with most encour-
aging results. In Bavaria, Belgium, Den
mark, Switzerland, Norway and Sweden, an
execution now is seldom known. A few
years ago England punished dozen offences
with death; only one is now left upon her
statute books.
| While the State persists in taking life it
teaches men to kill. The Quakers or Friends
believe that neither society nor the individual
has any right to take human life. They teach
this principle to their children. AS result
of such teaching, there is not on record a
single murder committed by these people.
What a salu,ary example of early training
and correct moral sentiment for the world to
initiate. Murder, now SO frequent in these
days, especially where the gibbet is in vogue,
would be seldom known if the world would
follow this example Of the Friends.
1t is unnecessary to violate the Divine
command ''Thou shalt not kill, in order to
protect society against an increase of crime.
In proportion as the State refuses to take the
life Of the criminal, in the same proportion
do we create in fhe minds of the people a
proper reverence and respect for human life.
In the language Of John Bright, "a deep
reverence for human life is worth more than
q thousand executions in the prevention of
MURDER and is, in fact, its chief security
against it. The law of capital punishment,
while pretending to support this reverence
does, in fact tend TO destroy it,
1t destroys the innocent, teaches ven
geaRcc, agravates crime and defeats its own
object. 1t is unjust, and inexpedient, and we
ought long ago to have done with it.
Imprisonment at hard labor for life, with
pardoning power, is the most certain, etlec
tive, humane, and feasible mode Of punish
meat. The eyes Of thousands are now turned
toward the ''Pine Tree State" hoping and
trusting that she will abolish the gallows.
HENRY l.. SLAYToN
Lebanon, n. H., Feb. 10. 1874.