The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-20
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION.
WILMINGTON. N! C.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1899
). BOARD OF

II l. agreeable to us to see the peo-
ple . coming more interested in the
detesta BILE one man p~ardoning power,
which the Messenger has been oppos-
ing for many years, and that some
newspapers Ca small part only unfor-
~tuaately) are antagonizing the great
abuses coming from such a monstrous
power delegated to one poor, frail NOR
tai. Governor Tyler, of Virginia, is
out in favor Of a change in his state,
and advocates a board of pardons. He
recognizes the importance OF such a
change. 1t is necessary and in accord
with common sense, the enforcement of
law, and the good of society, say we.
Gcrernor Tyler talks about his own
course and he talks like a man of sense,
of character, of humanity. We quote
in part, as we find it in the Richmond
Times, that also urges the change:
"I wish to thank your paper for that
editorial suggesting the ACCESSIBILITY OF
having others to share the responsible
ity with the governor in acting upon
pardons. No n who has not tried it
can form any idea of the weight Of this
responsibility. 1t is truly too much for
one man. I am trying to do the best l
can. Sometimes, no doubt, / err, in
granting pardons, and on the other
hand I fear 1 more frequently err in re-
fusing them, and it is these cases that
give me the most worry. 1t is hard to
decline when the touching appeals are
made by fathers and mothers, wives
and friends and the suffering condition
Of helpless ones is brought before you,
n when wen the judge and jury
write in behalf of the prisoners, many
times, saying the penalty wa too Sc
we're, and unhesitatingly plead for
mercy when the cold forms Of law
would not allow them to act. I try to
keep constantly in mind the good of
society,""
Governor Jarvis said that when in
the governors chair the ,pardoning
power gave him more trouble and re-
sponsibility than all other duties COM
4bined. The applications are so num-
erous and pressing often, that it must
give great solicitude and pererexity to
a solitary official oppressed with other
We ry responsible obligations, Upon
whose action in wisdom and mercy, or
In folly and sternness, hang the lives of
men unfit to die. And yet the good of
society, the safety and protection of hui
man life, cry out nightly for a faith
full. resolute enforcement of law. At
upon a case, there should be no power
given to one fallible and often very
ignorant mortal, to undo the findings
and to stop the hands of justice. Mercy
is a virtue in any mortal, but when the
blood of the victims lying in their
graves cry out for punishment upon
the slayers it is a fearful intervention
of power that comes in and says let
the red-handed murderers escape the
punishment due for their awful crimes
and let sentimentality and sympathy
shield the devils.
When cases have been properly tried,
and no new evidence has come to light,
why should the signs and tears OF any
class throw the protecting shield over
crimes and criminals? 1t is we'll
known that in every town, in every
county there are hundreds OF people
who will sign any kind Of petition, and
the blacker the scoundrel the profound
er the sympathy that seems to move
some hearts. 1t will be a bad time for
human life and the protection OF the
helpless, when the idea gets into the
head of a p%ardoning power that it will
be good to spare the villains or the de-
liberate murderers, because if spared
they may perchance reform and be-
come better citizens. Governor Tyler
confesses to weakness at this very
point, for he says that when he thinks
there is a hope Of improving the priso-
ner, and making him a better citizen I
pardon rather than let the merciless
tread of the law go on till the party is
hardened and becomes resentful. Mercy
sometimes may change a wicked heart,
and go a long ways towards saving a
soul" We are yet to learn that HUI
man lawmakers have been able to i'm
prove upon the avs of God in any par
sicular, and surely 10 in the matter of
divorce and murder. Let the people
of North Carolina demand better jury
trials, a more faithful administration
of law, and a board of pardons.