The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1877-11-14
THE PENITENTYARY BIRDS.

The question has sprung up ogain--one
upon which We commented month Or two
ago, and upon which We are pleased to say,
oil the press stand agreed-that ofthe chas-
tiscment BY the lash Of conyicts for refusal
to work. or for violations Of prison disci-
pine. II strikes us that the very hunani-
tartan commissioners who curtailed the pow
ers OF the overseers. and censured their fell
low Commissioner, Mr.. Yates. placed
themselves in IN extremely absurd and il.
logical position. Are the peniteptisry birds
unfortunate gentlemen, or yilainous cr;mi-
nails! The most tender sympathy Of the
most chicken hearted phi:antbropist. will
hardly class them with the former. Their
they are Of the latter class. Must they be
dealt with as if they bad loyal rights, or Us
IL they had sensibilities to wound or pride
10 ofEends We think not. and discipline
over them must 60 to its mark by the most
direct path.
Il has been urged, in guarding thess men
from farther severity. that their punishment
is already greater than they can bear; that
they are deprived Of liberty and condemned
10 penal seryituie, branded with the name
and the fate Of the felon until The expiration
Of their term Of service. BIT the law, in
imposing its penalties. has already dealt
with many more lenieutly than their crimes
deserved and society, afflicted With their
guilt. and the State. bnrdened with their
support. exact something more tLan exeiu.
parry damages. They demand such repa-
ration rs can be made by tkuse Ure;ches
for their warfare upon property and ID may
be, upon human life; and the State puts
them to labor upon its public works. To
carry out these works With skill and with
dispatch, the most implicit obedience to or.
ders must be enforced. In all enforced Ia
| Dor. there is reserve Of resistance always
ready TO come into action upon proper oc-
casion. How Is this resistance to be met
Our huinapitariars do not say it; but they
imply the gentle infusRces Of moral sua-
sion oh ye Gods. Moral suasion upon
wretches who go into their peLsl sersituds
insensible to remorse. and who through it,
progress, are undergoing the process Of .
case hardening that drfes penetraLiliiy Oh
else they propose the adoption d some u
those philsnthropic nostrums Of our north.
ern reformers who whip the devil round The
stump. and get rid Of the lash. Ly substi.
iuting the buck. and the thumb screw. and
other gentle notifications Uf lhe Spanish
inquisition.
This matter ought not 70 have been touch.
ed except 10 guard against abuses. The
lash is the last. as il is the mos, potent. ap.
peal to rebellious idleness or insubordina.
ton. /, touches main spring q activity
that nothing else can reach. IL wakens "
dormant energies that nothing else can a.
rouse. II stimulates ambition that nothing
else can Gre. II Is the ..Eureks" for the
despairiBg task master. Il is the touch.
stone that turns insolent slotL into the gold
OF profitable labor.
Our tender hearted Commissioners read
history backwards. If We DO not mistake
the signs Of the timer. there will be gene.
raj demand that he blessings Il the lash 3,
more gensrslly difFused. We advise th,
Commissioners not TO run counter 10 public