The Irish standard., 1895-04-20

scientists are Inferior on account OF bn8l
ambition.
WOMAN AND CRIME.
False sympathy for convicted crimi-
nails does not find the place in European
countries which it holds in this country.
Justice is often difficult Of attainment
here on account of q criminal sympathy
which finds no place in Europe. It is
almost impossible in this country to
punish woman for any crime, but in
England no difference is made on ac-
count of sex. An illustration Of whaI we
say has just been given in England.
A young married woman, twenty
three years Of age, was convicted Of
strangling her Legitimate ee-yenr-old
daughter. The case was peculiarly
sad one, and calculated to arouse great
sympathy for the unfortunate young
mother. But Notwithstanding, she was
convicted and sentenced to death. When
the sentence was pronounced she suf-
fered the most intense agony. Her en-
tire defense was a plea tor mercy, and
had the case happened in this country,
she would undoubtedly escape with; g
light sentence. Mr.. Asquith has just re-:
proved her, and it is likely her life will
be- saved by life sentence ID
The stern justice and strict execution
Of the letter and spirit Of the law w y q
not defeated in the English court by any
false theories as to the responsibility OF
women for crimes. 3
This young woman had been deserted
by her husband shortly after marriage,
and eighteen months before, the birth OF
her child. When her condition became
known che was committed to a work
house, where her child was born. She
was released and was refused support by
her father, on account Of the disgrace
her child had brought to his home. For
three years she provided for, her child as
best she could, then in fit Of despair
she sought sequestered spot in one of
the large parks of London, and there
strangled her child to death. The CIR
cumstances Of this case were such as
called for sympathy, and Mr.. Asquith
certainly was justified in sparing the life
of Amy Gregory.
The point to be noted is that she did
not escape conviction on account OF sym
pathy at the hands Of court or jury.
Woman, to be sure, is more emotional
than man; she acts more upon impulses
and is given less to reasoning as to re-
suits. But no one will maintain that
woman cannot distinguish between right
and wrong The object Of punishment
is net revenge. Its object is to pre- sent
crime, to tone up the morals OF the
people, and il a woman acts on criminal
impulses punishment is specially neces-
sary in her case to prevent crime. 1t is
worthy Of note that those who most en-
Enthusiastically maintain that woman is
mans equal and should be allowed all
mans privileges are the very ones who
contend for woman's irresponsib ility tor
crime. III 81
The fact is that woman is mans equal
each in their own sphere, and man and
woman are equally responsible moral
agents. We cannot have q code OF
morals for one and another for the other.
Nor can We have one way Of executing
the law il the case Of man and another
method in the case OF woman Separate
codes Of morals and different degrees OF
strictness required IL observing those
codes is ct the bottom Of many Of orr
SOCIAL difficulties. Nor does the TACT
that the victim Of Amy Gregory was
only an infant make any differences.
What is to become Of our humanity
and civilization il innocent infants, I'M
abb to protect themselves, are g be Ct
tho mercy of mothers who wish 70 hide
their shame? Is not the crime more
cruel than II would be il oase the victim
was old enough to project itself q some
manner. Yet the terrible crime Of in
fantioide III every whore present =. this
!oountr and punishment scarcely ever
:mlete6 out (,ourtt .. jjuries and phys icians
.saympatlh,iize, and the result g such tow
cases q are brought belore tho author-
ities sinpl 6 sOncesliina