Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-26
Chain Gangs.

Observations Of a Philosophical frlehu'
"Nullius addictus jurare in verba ma
gistri. Horace.
"He scorneth the multitude OF the Guy
neither regardeth he the cry Of the driver
The range of the mountains Is MS pas
ture: and he seeketh everything that u
green JOB. .u q. mi
II ia one of the most humiliating OF pun
ishments to be put into the chain-gans'
That means that a man is TO be fastene'
with his gang TO long chain, or to
heavy ball or made 10 wear an ug'
livery. TO mark him as a convict. Suci
n condition is the very annihllation o.
manhood. and is no credit to the govern
ment that can so degrade its INSIDERS
We shudder at the thought OF 1t.
II is not a little remarkable that PM
lanthropists and prison reformers Wisely
begin their work by repairing the deep
damage done to the culprit by the en-
bodirnent OF order and justice. Their
first effort is to try TO restore the self
respect and manhood of the criminal, ana
wake up his humanity.
The disregard Of decency and propriety,
law and order. leads to forfeiture OF
liberty. and offences against ourselves
and others impose restraints that proclaim
the departure of manhood and honor
able instincts. Our criminal and police
regulations in the interest of common
law and peace and quiet and safety
handle offenders. infiict punishment, anC
put them under keepers; restrict theil
liberty just as they are proved unworthy
| Of it, unfit to enjoy IL.
| Nature and the providence of God give
power to law and vlndicate IT, and mag
nifty the wisdom that Is the necessary
condition of freedom.
The world is full Of offenders agains
law that no human police or crimina
court can reach; and yet not one Of then
escapes punishment of greater or less Sc
verify: sometimes prompt and immediate
sometimes tardy. but always sure. I'M
| machinery OF creation crushes or dlscard
| Uhatever does not conform 10 its order
and does not work into the everlasting
fitness Of things. Ii grinds exceeding
small. or confines offenders within marrow
limits. so as TO restrict their harntulness
Grant that decency and propriety mus
rule I'm social life, and that good societ,
aims al the selection of the attesr In al
things; yet, when privileges ana eAcei
leucies hegee pride and seifishnesS AM
hardness OF heart, and genteel life passe
into mere fashion and parade, when ever
grace and virtue yield to coun
terfeit or imitation, and good man
ners gave way to mere shows an
forms. freedom is lost, life Is vanity an
yexation Of spirit, and Natures ponce OH
GERS control the wretched chain-gang o
nigh life and shut up them ana their "a
influences within their closes.
To these, II Hebe's self should bring
The purest cup from pleasures spring;
Say. could they taste the flavor hisn
or sober, simple, genuine Joyl
The ambition, or greed, or desperate
that whips men into politics In the nam
OF PATRIOTISM and public spirit Is soon
the power OF natures police and OF d
laws. Party slavery possesses the VINO
being of these sinners against honoraol
self-respectlng manhood. and makes the
work with their balls and chains WI
the gang under the boss
In the world of intellect and literatu
the desire for fame or popularity, OF
b. counted among the distinguished, e
slaves men and women 10 the popul
| ideals. 10 the popular taste, TO the pop
| lar Judgment. Fashion, the present pas
ing sensation, controls all the working
> OF their hearts and minds. They da
not think for themselves or offend 9
crowd. IL they do they must starye. 2
they allow their ball and caain and wo
, with the gang and supply the trade
: The publishers. When the Temple
Minerva was stormed the city fell. Wh
y heart and mind wear the ball and cna
: where Is freedom M
nmhitIon and avarice keep the chal
gangs full In all departments OF life: q