Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-25
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

To The Editor Of the Kennebee Journal.
There i, a great interest in the State Of Maine,
exhibited on the subject Of capital punishment 1t
is evident to the reader Of history, that where a
State or Kingdom is governed by sanguinary
laws, that their subjects exhibit strange infatua-
ton to commit deeds Of violence and murder.
How true that like begets its like, not only in
the laws of nations but in the laws governing fam
lilies. Where parents are austere and cruel, the
children are wilfnl and disobedient. -But where
the laws of State or Country are parental and
merciful, their citizens quiet and law abiding
people. So in family where love is the ruling
law, the children are kind and obedient, and here
you will find lovely picture Of quiet domestic
enjoyment. The doctrine Of an eye for an eye
and tooth for tooth, hardly accords with the
new and better doctrine of the Gospel, which
teaches us to render good for evil. have no.
ticed in several accounts of the executions of
criminals for murder, where the labors of the
christian ministry had been the means Of convert
ing the pardoned sinner, who became disciple Of
Christ, and who had received free pardon Of all
his sins by his Heavenly Father. Are the laws of
man of higher order than the laws Of God
This poor sinner had been forgiven by his Heaven
ly Father, but not by the laws Of man. Mans
law is memorable, it must have its pound Of flesh
What cares it if God has forgiven the criminal !
Human, or rather inhuman law, must have its
penalty, be the victim a disciple Of Christ or a
servant of Satan. The foregoing presents pain
full picture for the contemplation of the christian
as this not crucifying the Lord anew and putting
him to open shame :" "Inasmuch as We have done
it unto one Of the least of these my brethren, We
have done it unto me-" "Judge not that We be
not judged, for with what measure you mete, it
shall be measured to you again" "Judge nothing
before the time until the Lord come, who will
bring to light the hidden things of darkness, ard
will make manifest the counsels of the hearts,
and then shall srery nan hare praise Of Cod
The uncertainty of human testimony, and also OF
circumstantial evidence, which has doomed thous-
ands ofinnocent persons to an ignominous death,
should be warning to US in this enlightened age,
how we tamper with human life. He that gave
life and is familiar with the secrets of all hearts,
knows best how to deal with the erring children
of humanity, and when to take that priceless boon
he gave. If the prisoner were imprisoned for life,
an opportunity would be offered him to repent
anu DeCome uttcu ioT iuC III tue spHit
world.
| Those who believe with DR.. Watts that,
While the lamp holds out to burn,
The vilest sinner may return"
cannot consistently desire to extinguish this lamp
on which depends such tremendous issues of veal
| or woe throughout the endless ages Of eternity.
1t will not do for us to say with Cain the first
murderer Gam my brothers keeper :" We arc
brothers keepers; and will not God require our
brothers blood at our hands, if We permit the
law Of State to battle itself in the blood of the
innocent as well as the guilty. Let us copy after
the Judge Of all the earth, who sat in judgment
the murderer Cain, who did not affx as the penal
ty for murder-Captal Punishment Shall we
presume to be wiser than God? CANAAN.