Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-03-10
Mr.. WENTWORTH OF PENoBsCoT.

Mr.. Wentworth said:
| am sorry that the Senator from Cumber-
land Mr.. Young] in advocating his motion
to refer to the next legislature, felt Obliged
to state that he does not know whether the
people will sustain US if we pass this bill /
have no reflections to give expression to as to
whether my constituents will or will not up
hold me in any act which may come before
this legislature; l do not allow myself to be
influenced by any such considerations. am
here to act upon my best knowledge, and to
advocate such measures as | think will be
for the best interests of the people of the
State, regardless of what the consequences
NAV be to myself
This bill to restore the death penalty has
been more thoroughly discussed than any
other measure which has come before the
legislature of Maine this winter. After care
ful deiberation and long public hearing,
the Judiciary Committee voted to report this
bill True, it originated from an order
introduced by a single individual but the
bill received tie sanction of the legislative
committee. majority of whose members
were in favor Of its passage. Now after the
bill has received this consideration after it
has been discussed for days in the lower
branch, it seems to me that it would be
derogatory TO our duty as legislators to refer
tic hdttCi W tue ucAt leklsldtUTe. i propose
to do what regard TO be my duty regardless
of dark forebojings that the people on
some future occasion NAV not endorse our
action.
1t is not denied here that the citizen has an
unalienable right to protect his life, liberty
or property, and to resist all who dare
trespass upon his right. When citizens
aggregate themselves together into a State.
this original and inherent right is transferred
to the State. The State represents every
person within its borders, and has right to
protect its citizens who have confided their
personal security and happiness to its keep
ing. The government has obligated itself to
stand at our threshold, and protect us against
the attacks of the criminal and the assassin.
When it refuses to do this, when it is I'M
faithful to its agreement, then the right
reverts to the citizen. 1t is the right and
duty of the State to use every means and all
means to protect the life of its citizens.
The principle of capital punishment is one
which has been recognized and followed in
all generations; it comes down to us shorn of
its cruelties, from the earliest times. The
gentleman has tried to explain away Its
scriptural sanction. But the people to whom
the law was given interpreted it with u.s.
This law that "whoso sheddeth mans blood
by man shall his blood be she'd was a. uni
sersaf IN It's application and extent as the
law which regulated the conjugal relations.
1t has been said. in the course of discussion
in the other branch that the Son of God, on
the Mount repealed this enactment. do not
so understand it. Almost the first words of
that immortal sermon were:
"Think not that am come to destroy the law OF
the prophets am not come TO destroy, but to fulfil
For verify say unto you, till heaven and earth
pass, one ot or title shall in wise pass from the
law, till all be fulfilled"
Capital punishment has been adopted in all
ages. and comes down to US not as a relic of
barbarism but as a just and equitable provis-
ion of law There are few things which are
new under the sun. Men make progress nv
taking up those great and eternal principles
given to the race at first by Him who is the
Author of ali good.
All law has its capital punishment. The
moral Law has its capital punishment. 1t has
been = question in all ages how humanity