The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1877-09-05
EXECUTION Or THE CRIMINAL
L6W. E
3 Law.

fislOHs VI WHICH are continued EnueF THAI
Of 1865, the criminal code Of this State
cannot be called bloody one, the only
crimes punishable with death being muir
der, arson. burglary and rape. We might
have wished that the Constitution had been
80 amended as to have feft the Legislature
atiiberyto have added to the list Of capt.
tai punishments certain other crimes which
are Of frequent occurrence; and also that
other minor punishments besides those pre-
scribed might have been inflicted since !,
under this liberty. much Of the lower grade
of crime might be restrained. We are a.
ware Of the circumstances that controlled
the Convention, and We make no COM
plant. af ta CO.
But since certain crimes are declared
punishable with death, we can protest
against that tenderness which interposes to
shield the guilty from the extreme penalty.
The solemn forms Of legal inquiry. Of jury
deliberations and Of judicial decision, be-
come intolerable farces if their grave conse-
quences are neutralised BY the voice Of ten
der sentimentality and when the law itself
seems to shrink and cover from its stern and
righteous purpose in the face Of q vitiated
public opinion. The statute book becomes
an obsolete volume when its dicta are pro.
nounced To- be behind the sentiments Of the
nge and criminals hesitate az no offence
because they learn to feel that penalties de-
nounced are construed to De too severe for
the advanced philanthropy ofthe times.
Last year about this time we took occa,
sion 70 remark upon the peculiar character
Of the criminal dockets Of this, the 7.b. Ju>
dicial District. There was an absence q
oil crime Of high grade. and we do not
recall among tbe whole series Of Courts a
single capital offence. This year there is
marked contrast, and the criminal dock
cts are not only large, but Of tbs blacklist
hue. Every day records some new crime.
and every day the jails entomb some new
felon. In the face Of this increase % crime.
is it right that any but the EXTREMIST pun
ishment Of the law should stand at the end
of the vista Of criminal . vision? Is il
wise TO encourage other guilty imita:ors by
mistaken tenderness? Is itsafe TO with.
draw from society the safeguards Of well
considered but inexOrable severity VI
Al Alamsnce Court, three negroes were
convicted Of burglary upon a store house,
and sentenced TO death. but with the nm
derstanding that the Court. the Solicitor
and the prosecuting witness should join in .
petition 10 the Governor Cor Communication
Of the sentence toimprisonmebt for life. Il
may appear harsh and cruel TO hang three
men for the offence Of breaking into store
house in the absence Of the owner. But
is It no. better for society that the Law be
rigidly enforced 10 the infection Of pre-
scribed punishment. THAI that others take
advantage Of its relaxation and enter upon
such carnival of crime as 10 make all pro-
perry unsafe. or TO be defended at constant
personal slcrifce? Isii right to put eyery
house in the position Of fertilization, and
every household 10 the relation Of garri.
son, to do that which civil government IN.
derakes 10 do through faithfully executed
laws7 Yet this i the point 70 which The
individual is reduced when III advised Gle
mency inierpOses lie shield.
The laws must be enforced, even il they
are pushed 70 the verge Of cruelty until bu-
man passion and human supidiiy are
brought under subjection. Life and pro.
perry have been safe amoug Us. and the
time has been when lock and key were al.
most unused. Il bas been the boast 10 The
Ear Of last. that on occasional despos under
81 iLfamed idea Of unistrsal justice has
punished crime with such merciless rigor,
as 70 make Il safe for child 10 bear i
purse Of GOLD from one end Of kingdom q
the other. This CLEAN Of millenpial inoo-
cenee can be reached here. no, through tse
operation q the tyrau,s sword. but through
the unbending igor d Law theoretically %,
we're, and humanely just.
With the array Of crime before % now.
ne win protest against inconsideraie com.
plisnee with the prayers Of al advised phi.
lauthropy.
.,-g-,-sssesy.sss>l1 tH q 1tH
The State Pair i to be great success 4
tho lrtersliiy Of contributors i test Ne.
-. l.G..a - Ahnra hnnn a,,nh nnttrn 80.