Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-11-09
Friday Morning ~ November 8, 1877.
BENEVOLENT an ASSo Ga TON.

BENEVOLENT an ASSO Ga TON.
Our readers will observe by referring to our
local columns that the contemplated formation
of an association for the relief of suffering
paupers and prisoners has resulted in the in
stitution of a society which, if wisely and u-
diciously managed, will be fraught with bene-
fl TO class Of humanity which certainly
deserves charitable consideration. While we
view this laudable enterprise with that kind
consideration which is ever prompted by wit
Messing nm effort 10 relieve the distresses of
suffering beings, we yet feel it our duty as an
advocate Of peace and quetude to demonstrate
against the too charitable promptings Of any
unwise and extrayagant sympathy that may
have been excited in their interest by the late
publications of DR.. Chancellor. We bid them
God speed in all efforts to administer to the
wants of the convicted criminal, so far as they
will relieve individual suffering without be-
slowing upon him that contentment and com
fort which will make him forgetful of the
confinement he is enduring as punish ment
for the crime he has committed against society.
While the suffering of criminals certainly com
mand that pity and sympathy which every
human heart is ready TO bestow, at the same
time we must remember that laws upon which
the welfare Of society can only be permanently
established have been willfully and outrageous
ly violated. The public peace has been dis
turbed, the individual has been robbed, per-
chance murder has been committed and even
that grosser outrage, the Dissertation Of female
chastity, may have been accomplished by the
very persons whom they intend to seat in
chairs Of case and while away their hours Of
confinement with comfort and pleasure. Where
is the use of law and the punishment it infiicts
upon its voaors, If its chastisements are 10
he healed and obliterated by the charities Of
those law -abidiug citizens, who make the laws
for their own protection Where is to be found
that awful vengeance of outraged law which
is TO deter evil-minded persons from the com
mission of crime, if the punishment of the
criminal is TO be entirely relieved by the char
tiles of those whom he has wronged by bis
crimes2 Where is the use Of courts of justice
which pronounce the sentence that crime de-
serves, it the punishment which the sentence
DEGREES is to be commuied by the ill-besiowed
beuevolence of the law makers, under whose
statutes The sentence was imposed Once
make your jails and penitentaries homes where
ease and comfort abound, and the votaries of
of laznSss will be tempted to the commission
of crime that tue punishment of the law may
afford them habitation and sustenance which
their ndolent hands refused to provide for
their suffering bodies. |
SO far as the objects Of this association are
connected with the alienation of the dstresses
of our paupers let them extend to the widest
latitude; let charity open its heart in extreme
sympathy and relief over their msfortunes
and miseries let a kind word and welcome
smile greet every kiLd-hearted individual en-
gagged in the benevolent enterprise; let a vote
of thanks and a helping hand be extended by
the entire county but at the same time let us
warn this Association Of the dangers that over
hang the community 10 too much practical
sympathy for the law-breaker and the crim-
nal. Flowery beds are too comfortable to be
spread before the visions of that humanity,
whose nclinatons already prompted by origi
nal sin, find enough and too many fascinating
ailuremens along tie pathway of crime
Members of this prase-worthy Association do
not let the natural sympathics of your hearts
run away with the natural force of your
brains and provide too many temptations for
the preparation of crime The natural bent
of the human heart leans too far already in
that direction TO need any inducements from
your charitable sympathy.