The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-07-21

tne principal commandments VI Ulle
decalogue, and is the first after defining
mans duty to God, The Almighty, in
his wisdom, did not engrave it on a
tablet of cold stone alone; he imprint
ed it first in deep and ineffaceable
character in the living conscience Of
man. Hence history shows that where
ever man has not become utterly bru-
talized, where he has not lost all
knowledge or remembrance of God,
respect and reverence for the parent
was religiously inculcated and OBJ
served; and the crime of parricide was
either unknown, or because of its un-
paraleled depravity considered impossi-
BILE to be committed, or looked upon
and punished as the most horrible and
objectionable of all crimes. Thus the
Athenians, the most polished of the
pagan nations of antiquity, had no
laws against parricide from an opinion
that human atrocity could not reach so
low depth Of crime as that of parri-
eide. This was also for long period,
originally, the case with the Romans
but at later period the parricide was
punished by the Roman law with far
greater severity than other cases of
murder. The criminal, after being
scourged, was placed in leathern sack
with dog, cock, viper and an ape,
and cast into the Tiber. In the earlier
history of the Christian nations this
crime was also punished by them by
far greater severity than other muir
derers. Originally the hand raised
against the father was cut off before
the death penalty was suffered, In
common with most civilized nations
our law pnnishes the crime with death,
the same as other cases of murder in
the fist degree.
In the present case the peculiar ver-
dict Of the Jury precludes the awarding
Of that extreme punishment more ap-
prOpriate to the horrid crime. AS it is,
the punishment affixed to murder in
the second degree, is the only punish
ment which can be enforced by the
Court That is imprisonment in the
penitentlary for life. This punishment
is not much inferior to capital punish
ment. The party sentenced, though
not capitally executed, is substantially
rendered civilly dead for life, and suf-
fers the loss Of all the good Of this
world, which serves to render life en-.
joyable. Who can describe the mis-
cries of a life sad and dreary in prison,
until relief comes by death Still as
far as regards the interests Of eternity,
this prison life, wretched as it may
seem, affords most favorable oppOrtu-
nifty to the unhappy criminal, for pen
ltence and reform. The State, whilst
by his Imprisonment it renders him in
nOxious to society, at the same time
mercifully provides him with this locus
penitentiae, that he may do penance for
his crime; and by repentance and con-
triton, and change of heart, become
recOnciled to his God, and close his life
in the hope of happier futurity. BY
suffering the penalties visited against
his crime by the human laws, IN
spirit of patience and penance, he is at
least enabled to satisfy human justice;
and having done this, may he not also
hope 10 find mercy before Heavens Of
Tended justice,
l trust you will receive the punish
ment which must inevitably follow
your crime in the spirit of resignation
and patience; and that you will avail
yourself to the fullest extent of the Op
portunity, of entering upon life of
penitence and reform and thus be again
reconciled to God and man.
The sentence of the court is, that you
be imprisoned in the Penitentiary of
the State for the term of your natural
life, and there kept at hard labor, ex-
celt during such periods Of solitary
confinement, which l will now men,
tion and fix. 1t is ordered, that for the
first five years of your imprisonment,
you shall be kept in solitary confne-
ment, the first six months in each
year. Andit is further ordered thatyou
pay the costs of prosecution in your
case. S. MEYER, Judge.