The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-06-06

him or discharge him, there is no other
alternative. II does not seem, certainly,
as II small difference i'm the penalty
could make great difference 10 the of
fender. But IL may possibly make all the
difference in the world. That Is the vice
OF formulas and averages; but there Is no
escape for them, that can sec, unless you
go back and ask the primitive questions:
What Is crimc2 What Is punishment?
Should society arrogate 10 itself the pun
ishment of crimc2 or should society
abandon everything clsc--its business, It's
pleasures and It's idlcness and devote It.
self exclusively 10 the cure OF it, diseased
members. Society may be Obliged one
day, TO do no less than this, or perish;
but until that day arrives 10 will bo hard
TO prove that il could do much better than
IL IL doing now.
Again, Il is a manifest injustice that the
vast ma ority OF punishments should be
inflicted upon poor people. Rich people
are possibly and probably just as wicked
as poor people, if you could read their
hearts. But their wealth enables them,
in the first place, 90 avoid some of tho
strongest temptations 10 avert crime; in
the second place, To conceal the crimes
they do commit; and in the third place, 10
defend themselves 10 the utmost when ac-
cused. Poor people, on the other hand,
are under constant temptation 10 steal,
because theft will give them the food
and clothing that they lack; 20 attack
others, because, sometimes, the theft can
only be accomplished by violence some
times because of the intoerable crowding
and collisions inseparable from their
mode OF life; and TO get drunk,
because drink is the poor
mans only means OF temporary escape
from the dismal pressure upon his senses
OF the horror, misery and squalor OF his
surroundings. Drink is his brief parody
OF heaven, from which he falls next morn
ing into the cell OF the police court. The
thirst for drink in such people represents
really perverted aspiration after better
and seemlier surroundings; but, since it
leads to unrestraint of all kinds, instead
OF being merely an amiable weakness, we
necessarily and things being as they are)
justly visit il with summary penalties.
In short, we cannot too clearly realize
that our present methods of Justice can
never reform the criminal; they can at
best only deprive him for time of the
means or opportunity 10 commit crimes.
He almost invariably emerges from con-
iinement a worse man than he went in.
1t is very doubtful whether punishment
ever has a deterrent effect on other i'm
tending) criminals.
Father Ducey was saddened by the fact
that a majority of the culprits at the bar
were of his nationality (Irish) and he ex-
plains it in this way Few men will ques-
ton the high intellectual development of
the Irish race, of which we have evidence
in the highest as well as the lowest walks
OF life. Nature has given to us the
priceless but unfortunately the fatal UNI
rest which leads to extremes In all things.
The very vivacity and eagerness which in
proper field leads to the highest honors
and the greatest distinction is the obvious
cause OF their criminality in the condition
of society which awaits them in this great
city The emigrant lands in New York
from Ireland with little knowledge of life
and the characteristic hopefulness of his
race.
He expects field for the happy develop
ment of the irrepressible character; he
imagines the same industry and fervor
which enabled him to support life in Ire
land and acquired for him the sympathy
and affection of his associates will bring
him here competence and distinction. He
is essentially gIegariOus and responsible
animal. The conditions of socity are un-
congenial to his nature. His associates
have already passed through the mill and
have no hesitation in the struggle for
existence to take advantage of his trust
fulness, which hitherto had never
heen betrayed. He seeks for work
and finds none He is compelled to herd
with the dishonest and the dissOlute. He
hears of the declaration of independence
and Of the equality OF man in opportunity
and consideration. He expects comfort
and finds starvation. His condition at
home was virtuous and negative. Here
1 Il. - 4 = =
Nature has gifted him for good or for evil
with a large share of natural energy.
Temptation and necessity combine to de-
feat his virtuous tendencies. The wonder
is that so many OF our race have weathered
the fearful storm of degradation and
reached in safety the harbors of virtue and
competence.
Other nationalities who come to America
have organizations which aid them. They
are passive or phlegmatic IN char
acter, or they bring with them
sufficient sum of money to tide
over the education period OF the new life.
He is the victim ofth benefcence of God
perverted by the greed of man, and it
would appear that natural justice should
mete out to the latter present atonement
for his sins. 1t may be true that there is
very little, if any connection between
perhaps, it may be said with some appear
ance of truth that the religion of which the
majority of the Irish race are members
may have a certain defect when regarded
rom the economical and purely human
standpoint. 1t permits no compromise
With sin. 1t does not tolerate the swindler,
tue bigamist or the adulterer to hold high
place in the synagogue and act as a
beacon-light TO guide the less distinguished
sinners TO salvation.
The catholic religion teaches those who
learn it truly and practice it faithfully
that he who breaks one of Gods com
mandments breaks them all, so far as sin
against the author is concerned, and there
forefrom the statistical standpoint of the
political economist and the expedentist a
grave defect exists in our doctrine. I'm
dcubtedly the rigidity of our tenets is
conducive TO desperation If not 10 despair
in the castaway But instead of being a
defect in the true religion it only makes
the lives OF the true children of the
| church the more consistent and it should
stimulate every one of us TO adopt stronger
measures for the protection and the refor-
nation of our erring brothers from the
inevitable consequences of worldly greed,
neglect and accommodation.