Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-06-14
Executive PardOns.

just how much oil the crime Wnlcn exlstS
in our communities is to be attributed to
the exercise of the governors clemency, it
is, of course, impossible to estimate. But
that considerable part of it is fairly
chargeable to this source we are very conf
dent. Any thoughtful consideration OF the
subject must lead one to this conclusion.
Where the pardoning power is manifested in
any except the smallest measure, it must
needs be that some frst-class villains are let
out into society to renew their criminal
courses The number of such cases, in view
of the frequent pardons extended by the
governors throughout our large country
must be numerous. The ranks of thieves,
forgers, murderers, are kept full by this re-
enlistment of veterans. But immense as is
this evil consequent upon this abuse of ex-
ecutive power, a far greater one presents
itself to us.
There is in this too general proclamation
of clemency mighty encouragement af-
forded to all who are in any way viciously
inclined to press on in their lawless ways.
What makes the lightning universally
feared is the remorselessness of its stroke.
Men everywhere respect fire, for fire every
where burns Lessen the certainty of the
operation of this natural law, and men will
even to a greater degree grow confident in
their disregard of this law. When it be-
comes known that crime has some chance of
acquittal when put on trial, and then some
considerable chance by pardon even after
sentence, it need not be counted strange
that wicked men are willing to accept all
the risks which are supposed to attend evil
doing. And so every pardon, even when it
is warrantably exercised, is a kind of an
nouncement TO the vicious of immunity in
their criminal practices.
We might push this principle still further.
| We might show how this weakened convic-
ton of the certainty of punishment works
| in the minds Of those who are virtuously in
clined, to dull their reverence for law, their
love of Justice and their adherence of sin.
And so, no doubt, many good persons are
| thus gradually disciplined to go down into a
lower grade of goodness, from which at last
they graduate into ways of crime and vio-
lence. So far reaching and so thoroughly
depraving are the influences which newt.
ably attend this use of the pardoning power,
especially where it has ceased to be very
rare and exceptional.
But how can this frequent and this in
creasing exercise of the executive elem.
ency be accounted for2 Our governors
are not corrupt men. They are not bribed
| lutb thlS VI b"itOho' = no bNthNN
now so generally in vogue is Just this
Somebody, often nobody knows who, draws
up a paper addressed in moving terms to
the governor, humbly praying pardon fol
the imprisoned criminal. This "petition
is handed round through the community
and of course receives the signatures of very
nearly all 10 whom it is presented. Many oi
these signers never read the paper to which
they affix their names Some sign without
raising a single inquiry. Not long ago peti
ton, circulated in the legislature of west
ern state for the expulsion from it of one Of
its members, received the signature of the
very member himself, neither he nor tn,
majority of the other signers having read th'
preamble of the petition TO ascertain wha
II was proposed TO be done. Each signed be
cause some other had signed. The other day
the mayor of one of our large cities, a wor
thy Christian gentleman, gave his name anC
so his great influence to paper praying th,
supreme court TO pardon notorious orimi
nal who had been adjudged worthy of deatl
for numbering his wife; and when an out
ragged public demonstrated with the mayor
the good man confessed with shame that h
had signed the petition in utter Ignorance
of its import, having not even read 1t An'
in lust this way the formidable list of peti
toners is arrayed before the governor. Th'
paper purports to be the expression OF thu
best public sentiment in the case. II woulC
be an insult to these hundreds of reputable
and influential citizens TO ignore their re
quest. 1t would be piece of presumption
in him to doubt the wisdom of pardon il
this instance. 1t would be, perhaps, a grea
injustice to the culprit TO withhold it. A
any rate, this imposing petition absolve
him from all responsibility in the matter
and so the good-natured governor puts hi
hand to the paper and another scoundrel i
free to prey often on the very men who's
senseess act has contributed To his liberty
This is the history, we have no doubt, o