The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1883-08-15
For the Farmer and Mechanic
Ought Murdevers to be execIted
Publicly or Privately

1t Is asserted frequently. anu uy Coh
slant reiteration it has come to be &C
cepted by many that capital punishment
should be inflicted privately.
Ii we ask why, We are informed tnat
the humanity of the present age does
mo- tolerate the spectacle OF PAIN mnlct-
ed upon the criminal !: that the tendency
of such a custom is to demoralize the
people, TO give notoriety and false gl'ry
TO the prisoner. and so to increase crime
instead of preventing it 1t is further
affirmed that if we do not follow the ex-
ample of other States in adopting this
highly extoled reform. that We shall not
appear to keep apace with the civilized
world.
There are se~ntimentalists so mbued
with anxiety to have justice eniorce'i IN
a corner, as to express horror OF those
to whom it i. not given to see with
themselves
Is there but one side to this question:
1t will be admitted BY all that the
grand end of punishment, especially
capital punishment. is TO protect society
and deter evil doors. Reformation IN
men who have not committed unpar-
donable Outra.eS is not to be ignored IN
dlN SNSltlu u! JUSTLY Uut ~ go.
whatever concerns the offender is OF
small importance compared with The
paramount necessity of protection to the
innocent. from the lawless elements OF
society.
Has this end been more fully accom-
plished in those those States where prl-
vate executions are the rule than III
North Carolina?
We do not hesitate to challenge a
comparison. Look at the black roll OF
murders. rapes and robberies daily
chronicled by the press Yet they have
the benefit of the great reform of excu-
tons liz private. which we are told can
do so much to prevent the demoraliZa-
ton of the people.
Alas! Is there no decentralization
where twenty thousand people. includ-
ing some of the highest social rank. go
to see the brutal fight of shoulder-hit-
tiers
There is something solemnly impress
sive in the sight of the gallows, the
shroud and the coffin. 1t is hard to see
how even the most callous can find
anything attractive in the open grave.
ready to shut out forever the victim
HUH tIC SlStl vi Z oh III WI
trary there is everything to deter the
Young criminal just beginning a career
Of violence and outrage.
The necessity for good order and dis
cipline in the army and navy, has re-
suited in a military code, with a system
OF trial and punishment the most efec-
tive which the first minds of earth have
been able to devise There it is the in
variable rule that capital punishment IS
Inflicted in the presence of the troops,
and the victim not only meets his doom
in the public sight, but by the hands of
his own comrades So far has tt is prin-
ciple governed the navy that often an
entire crew has been ordered to haul
away at the rope that is swing the con
demned at the yard arm, while the
boats of a fleet attend to witness the
gloom spectacle.
Ii public executions tended to the in
crease Of crime. as the se~ntimentalists
| say, would not the knowledge have
reached and influenced the military au-
thorities of the world. who have to deal
with the most reckless and turbulent OF
mankind?
In the South we are surrounded by a
laASS PoPoiltloh Will
and some of them but family affected
by the ordinary social restraints. A
vast number of these oannot realize tn
broad ovont of a LOCAL execution. oxcept
by the actual sight Of the doom that
should befall the man who imbrues his
han in innocent blood.
Nor are these private executions free
from danger to the purity of justice. We
do not know what the future of this re-
public may develope, and me may un-
Willingly offer a premium to cruelty, veL-
geance or deception.
The dark and bloody history Of private
torture IN past ages ought to warn us
against a gradual approach to those dan
gerous p~recedents.
Time was when the accused and con-
demned were spirited away to dungeons
or death as the brutal and corrupt execu
TONERS might choose or tyrants might d :
rect. their fate forever unknown to fami
ly, friends or community.
The same sentlmcntallsts in other
Sta'es, who whine Over the cruelty Of
public executions or cruelty to animals
decline to guard the honor and virtue {
woman by visiting the death penalt,
upo the wretch who ruins and blasts the
life Of his victim by the crime Of rape.
BY these persons North Carolina is re-
garded as barbarous because she visits
death upon the murderer Of female peace
aud honor. THIS as the p~hilcsophy uhich
r0Oud hare justice blush at her otUu riqht-
eous cork! 1t is the same philosophy
which affects surprise that Washington
should have decreed the public execution
er upon the gallows of Andre, to warn
the enemies Of America that such a fate
Was the doom Of the spy. The duty
was sad, but the warning was effective.
What was useful in the death penalty
then. has not suddenly lost It's pow, now.
Facts will not uphold the theory of the
sentimental philosophers. Since such
melancholy duties must be performed,
why should society be cheated of then
s~alutary effect e?
We do not advocate the abuse, because
We insist upon the proper use of the final
end Of the broken law On such occa-
slons the Sheriff should have ~plenary
power to enforce the most solemn deco
rum. 1t pleased God to direct the pun
lshment OF death for various offences,
among his own chosen people, 10 the
sight OF all the congregation. We great
ly doubt If the latter-day philosophy has
greater reasonableness or higher sane
ton. G
TOBACCO BOOMING AT PARRISH &