The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-05-26
The Whipping Post.

The Whipping Post.
! The Shreveport Journal and the New
Orleans Picayune thus give their views on
the question of establishing the whipping
post in Louisiana, a bill to that effect hav-
ing been already introduced in the Leg
] islature:
A WISE LAw.-Representative Wadden,
OF VIM Parish, has introduced an act
providing for corporal punishment in
| certain cases." 1t provides that where IL
person is convicted of petit larceny the
person shall be punished by not less than
ten nor more than thirty-ninc lashes. If
q minor the conviction shall not cause flu
ture distranchisement, and the punish
ment must be inflicted in the jail yard,
and the switch adapted to his or her age
woman is also to he punished in like
manner-in both cases in the presence of
trea-holders. A man is to be taken to
public whipping post, and be disfranchis-
ed from voting, sitting on jury and Civ
ing evidence before the courts. Such a
law would not only prove a very great
saving to the Parish, but woull doubtless
| be much more etficacious il the suppress
sion OF minor offences than the law now in
force. The dreak of the application Of
! the lash would excite infinitely more ter
ror to the colored population especially
than the light penalty of itlling in Jail and
being fed at the public expense. 1t is
pity Mr. Waddefil did not include wife
beating as one Of the crimes to be thus
punished: The opponents Of punishment
by the lash do Sc on the sentimental
ground that it is too degrading. Bnt has
not the man guilty of such crime
brought himself down to the extreme
depths of degradation 1t is much to be
hoped that the bill may become a law.
|-[Shreveport Journal.
WE PROTEST AGAINST BARBAR1TIEs.-
The proposition Of Senator Waddell to re-
erect the whipping post in Louisiana as
an engine ofTnnishment for petty larceny
offenders should not be regarded with any
sort of favor. Flogging for any class Of
criminals has been discarded as a relic of
slavery and barharism, and not to be
thought of in these days. 1t is not even
retained in the May, where it was long
believed to be Indispensable, and should
not be tolerated in any public capacity in
free country, except as last extremity,
a punishment for wife beaters. Some
years ago the entire country was electri-
fled with horror by the report that white
girl had been carried to the whipping
post at some place in Virginia and there
punished with stripes by negro consta-
bic under the orders of a court. Let not
those who would approve such bill ar
que that the law would only be executed
upon the negroes. A law is made for all.
since the lash upon the back of q white
man or woman might only be equal JUS
tee. We protest against the revival of
this extinct barbarity. 1t is an atrocions
degradation to threaten free men and wo-
men, no matter of what class, with the !
lash. The day of the slave driver has
past torever.-[P icayune.
CoNCERT.-The ladies of St. James
Episcopal Church are already actively
engaged making preparations for the
Grand Concert with refreshments
which they propose giving in this
Town at Levin's hall, on Tuesday
evening June LIST, 1856, for the bene.
fit of Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Pine
vile. From those who are at the
head of the affair, lending their assist
ance, we learn that the Concert will
be something grand and we'll worth
seeing; besides the proceeds are to
be devoted to a most landable cause,
and none ought to refuse to lend a
helping hand. Don't forget the date
don't forget the Concert--don't for
get the place where it is to be given
and lastly, don't forget to be present
and contribute according to your purse.
WHO does this hit An unknown ex-
change is the source from whence I'll
comes: "a man who would Systematically
and willfully set about cheating printer
would commit robbery on crying baby
and rob it of its gingerbread-rob al
church of its counterfeit pennies-lick the
butter off II blind mans nigger's last fit
ter-pawn his grandmother's specs for q
drink of whisky-steal acorns from a
blind SOW, and take clothes from scare
crow, to make u respectable appearance
in society,""
THAT already we'll organized and
fast growing association the Gayety
club, adopted name at their meeting
on Wednesday evening, it being Pan
gnostic, and which is defined in this
wise: Pan-the skull considered as a
vessel containing the brain; the up
per part Of the head the brain pan i;
the Uranium. Gnostic - Sagacious;
good at knowing; a man that claims