The Washington times., 1894-04-08
rHE DEATH PENALTY
Argument Both for and Against the Aboli-
tion Of Executions.

Argument Both for and Against the Aboli-
tion Of Executions.
Ipresent these arguments, in the produc-
tion and presentation Of which but little orig
inality is claimed, says the Elmira Monthly
Summary, as the strongest that have come
before my notice either for or against the
abolition Of the death penalty. My intention
is not to advocate either side of the question,
but to present such arguments as will enable
any one to formulate his own judgment
I. Arguments in favor Of retaining the
death penalty.
l. The death penalty has always and every
where prevailed down to recent times. Its
antiquity and universality attest the estab-
lished and undoubted conviction OF mankind
for ages, that It was right aud expedient.
This throws the burden OF proof on those who
contend that it is wrong and harmful.
2. The Scriptures declare that "whose she'd
deth mans blood, by man shall his blood be
she'd" Some say that this Is command by
divine authority. others that it is prediction
OF the treatment mankind has actually given
to the slayers of their kind. 1t is contended
under this head that the abolition of the
death penalty would violate q divine COM
mand or seek to defeat divine prediction.
8. 1t is the right and duty Of every one to
defend himself against violence. mot to
resist violence is in some respect to be its
accomplice." Society equally has the right
and the duty OF defending itself by the death
penalty. A man may put to death another
when This Is necessary to prevent the other
from talking his life. murderer is every
where, whether in prison or at large, a mem
ace to life. Society may and should protect
itself by the death OF this dangerous man.
1t should do this without revenge and solely
for its own protection.
4. Society, by the death penalty, secures it.
self against further harm from the murderer
and deters those who otherwise might imi-
tate his violence. 1t could kill him If it
caught him in the murderous act; what right
to life does he gain by not being caught until
his deed has been done?
3. Most men fear death more than anything
else. The dread of death is otter stronger
than the desire OF life. The greatest deterrent
should be used against the greatest crime,
and that is the death penalty.
6. II there is no death penalty TO fulfill the
public conviction that murderer deserves to
die. the law will make life seem less sacred
and crime less heinous Sin the statute books
than it is in the natural conscience" This
will either weaken the public regard for
human life or furnish occasions and justiflca-
tion for summary vengeance on murderers by
mob violence.
Z. The death penalty is by its nature
f1nality. Society is fully protected against
each victim. He will no more endanger
others. The deterrent influence is not weak
ened by any hopes of clemency and escape.
8. The vast majority OF all the kings, states
men, governors, lawmakers, judges. generals.
clergymen, and even men of practical affairs
in all civilized countries to-day still firmly
believe in the retention of the death penalty
as just to the murderer. deterrent upon others,
and protection to society.
ii. Arguments in favor Of abolishing the
death penalty.
/. The antiquity Of the death penalty
should excite suspicion against it as q sur
viving relic Of barbarous ages. Slavery and
polygamy-the twin relics of barbarism,
equally old and general as social institu-
tions-were recently just as well established.
The death penalty had its origin in the rude
life of primitive times; this raises a presump-
ton against its propriety for time Of higher
civilization and gentler manners.
2. The death penalty, first. is not COM
manded by divine authority as a duty. The
passage usually quoted as such command
simply predicts that murder will beget mur-
der. Secondly, the precepts of Christianity
oppose it. The New Testament says the law
OF retaliation was allowed on account Of the
hardness of mems hearts. and this was TO
prevent greater revenge. but now even the
wrongdoer is to receive only that which will
do him good. This may be suffering, but
not death.
8. Repugnance to the infliction OF this pen
atty makes it less certain and less deterrent
than other penalties. Extreme severity pre-
vents convictions, but does not prevent crime.
During the last ten years only two murderers
out of every hundred have suffered the death
penalty, and homicidal crimes in that time
have increased twenty times as rapidly as the
population.
4. The influence Of the death penalty on
public morals is injurious. Whenever in
flicted it is the violent taking of human
life. This is a conspicuous object lesson by
the public in what when done by the individ-
ual is the greatest of crimes. One English
clergyman visited 167 convicts under sem
tence OF death, and of these 164 had wit
messed execution.
5. All human judgments are liable to error
Hundreds of men have been put to death for
crimes they never committed: the certain
proofs of their innocence came too late! For
this reason no irremediable penalty should
ever be inflicted.