The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-04-04

pretermitting all reference to the expen-
ses of his trial and Imprisonment, there
are yet other losses which we cannot so
readily estimate: the loss of his labor
during his imprisonment, the loss of his
labor most probably during the remain
der of his life, and his depredations upon
property, for such is his trade and calling
now.
| Must rogues, then, have wide berth
and go unwhipt of justice? I answer,
first, that if the punishment of crime,
for the protection of property, inhicts
upon property, as it actually does, loss
ten-fold or an hundred-fold greater than
the damage it receives from crime, then
it is certainly better not to attempt the
task at all. If property must surrender
$1o0 or more to punish the larceny of
five dollars then the larceny had better
! 60 unpunished.
Secondly. There is plan, primitive,
simple, inexpensive, the most powerful
corrector, yet discovered, of moral OBJ
liquities. Suasion, and tracts, and cate
chisms, without its antecedent prepara-
ton, are, for the most part, unavailing.
See that spoiled, pouting child. How
uneasy and restiye the weary mother
Let her venture the gentlest expostula-
ton or reproof, angry fingers will clutch
her cheek Under such treatment,
| shame and sorrow como to the mother
wretchedness and ruin to the child. But
let her see her duty and bravely do it.
| Let her surrender the spoiled pet to the
strong arms and tender mercies of the
father. Under the quick, sharp, decisive
| infiction, how promptly melts the stub
bcrnness of the boy He squarely sur
renders, he is broken, penitent-soon,
however, to be happy, very happ,7. He
realizes his naughtiness and his sin, and
is sorry for it; with the devil exercised
from bis heart, he hies to his mother, and
now how happy each in the kiss of par
don and reconciliation! With >filial love
and obedience in his heart, the house is
now light and cheerful with his happy
sport and jocund mirth. To whip under
the circumstances recited, was the act of
strong, tender mercy; to forbear, the ex-
tremest cruelty TO the child. Such treat
ment wisely administered Just two or
three times puts the child safe for his
lifetime. - .,...... ..rs.
Who will fully explain to us the ra-
tionale of the rod3 Who will display to
us, in all its elements, the charming phi
losophy of the hickory? Would I were
equal to the task. I only know its
healthful virtues from happy experience
and successful practice. "Spare tho rod,
spoil the childp' we're there ever wiser
words ....a.
The same medicine, but of course in
larger doses, is needed by men as we'll as
by children, and its administration is fol
lowed by exactly the same results. l
venture, however, to express the conf
dent conviction that when adults need
this remedy, it is, in nine cases out of
ten, because it was not administered in
their early years. .r.
The pillory and the whipping post |
I dare write the words and despise the
silly howlings of silly philanthropy.
Here is remedy, sharp, costless, refor-
matory and efficient. This-not the
public, ,schools-is the cheapest defence
of property, the surest guarantee Of
morals, A few days ago, a petty theft
was lodged in the penitentiary. He was
asked if be would not prefer nine and
thirty lashes to two years in the State
prison. "No," said he, with indignant
dignity, eth. lash shall never Cross my
back p Behold the pout and stubborn
ness of the spoiled chlldi The back of
of vulgar thief, like the back of a Ro.
man citizen, sacred from the scourge
In our punitory measures, we encourage
him in his unrepentant obstinacy, and
dare not touch his sacred person! Tie
him to~a post, let the lashes come fast
and furious. until he squirms and howls
and abegs, let him become supple, SUBJ
missive, humble, and he will care less
about his dignity, and more about his
conduct. Such punishment would be
well suited to at least three.fourths of
those who are shut up in corrupting idle
mess in our jails and penitentiary. Let
them be tried Immediately upon arrest
by an inexpensive court-in most cases a
single magistrate would do-and prompt
ly punished as indicated. The saving of
| at least $3.50, 900 per annum very made
quately exhibits the benefite of this plan.
They would be returned at once, wiser
ana better men, to their appropriate
work, increase taxable values, contribute
to the relief of the treasury instead of
burdening it., and so advance public
thrift and prosperity. We call for Ia
borers from abroad, but spend quarter
of million per annum to hold valuable
laborers in idleness, and to convert them,
upon their release, into professional dep
redators upon property during the re-
mainder. of their lives.
If,the Commonwealth is to settle down
in black dishonor, the two heaviest
weights that will sink her to her doom
are burdens imposed for the debasement
of education. and for the encourage
ment of crime: 81 CIvIs. 2