The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-11-26
An APPEAL TO REASON.


usurp the calm ard dispassionate Juas
men. Of the courts. which are I'M
immemor!al Gust odians Of the rlsht;
Of men? The wave Of hysterical pro
test against the execution OF Siaua'
Allen has already exceeded the limits
OF rsht-minded procedure. 1t has MOI
confined itself TO that calm appea'
based upon the facts. which only shoui'
be addressed TO the conscience u 'he
executive.
A late appeal IN behalf OF cia"ae
Alien declares that all the praying
people OF the Commonwealth are asked
TO intercede at q throne OF grace 'hA'
our chief executive may be dfVineIy
Guided" We agree, but guided IN
wha. direction? That mercy may Dc
bestowed upon this unfortunate young
man. That mercy he to others
showed. that mercy show to him
THAT the people may be strengthened
4, their regard for the laws. courts and
oacers" But how will the people Dc
STRENGTHENED in their respect FOR the
law wnen man IS pardoned VINO aioeo
:, shooting down five innocent people
,,rr NJ whom, were officers Of court:
The last appeal IS, That Coos name
NAV be honored by all" And by What
authority does the writer OF this ap-
nan, invoke the name OF the Almighty:
Who mere honors God n this case:
Is i, not more honorable 10 enforce
the laws. however painful to indiVid-
mails when necessary to strengthen
the character o. all the State, than
seu.irnenra,ly to pardon a man: Inc
h.bl,caI student who wrote the appeal
might be asked. Who most hcnorec
God-Saul who weakly spared Asas'
o. Samuel, who at Gods order 'hewed
him to pieces before the people?
That call - prayer" is prefaced
ty the statement that the 'overwhein-
ing sentiment" OF the State Is opposed
10 the elect-ocut.on o: this condemned
murderer and that If the question
could be submitted to the people they
would unquesrionab!y commute his
sentence "Ot all his possible acts
no on. would bring greater sat!seac-
ton or higher Joy to his constituents
Such an attitude as that IN this plea
TO Governor Mann is wrong. what
reason is there for believing shat he
would within Did mercy II the accused
were entitled to It? Our system OF
Justice does not thirst for blood; II
orders execution as a penalty Tor
crime only when the criminal has been
proven guilty beyond reasonable
doubt and only after he has been Justly
tried By his peers and given the 1uli
protection Of the courts TIE law is
not instituted to withhold mercy or to
menace life; II Is nothing but a system
Of enforcement. OF right and protec-
ton Of NE ], rs a protector, not
prosecutor. OF the people. IL IS soci-
etys only means OF seIf-preservaton
The vice Of the movement 10 abate
Claude Aliens sentence 20 life impris'
onment lies in its assumption that
because a multitude feel that he sh oulo
no, be executed the verdict ,, Justice
should be set aside Herein IS but
phase OF I'll. clanor tor the recall VI
Judges and judicial decisions. Tne fur
damental error IS In holding that the
law is nothing more than what = given
section OF the people temporarily de-
sire. The system OF justice Is based
upon fixed principles OF eternal truth
and no, upon the passion and emotion
shs:n o: the misguided ard the uDin'
formed. The Times-D!spa-ch does no
believe that the Overwhelming sen
tinent" OF tie state IS opposed 90 tn
deterioration 81 Claude Allen. but ev"i
II IT were. the courts. ana not the PEG
pie. must now say whether OF I"
Claude Alien shall die IN tie p-esen
case the Governor o, virginia and no
tire praying petitioners. s sworn {
execute the law II" has tie record b.
fore him: the people nav" not II
know. ali the evidence and knows ~
Law. TIE petitioners Go not.
The eleventh hcgr appeal fsr -
esrnata.;on OF the scHt"an.. a. Ia 8
Alien have resolved jacmsslz.s 'r'
hyr.ericaI and G--easonsus rIaHor
os,.assbIy praying that tn" 2eor'
may Re strengthened IN -hei- regard 20
the laws. courts and Officers" ~. r.t,
ticn.-s do not rea!.z. what uas1su'ou
CONSEQUENCE. their ciarnor. - success
ful. would have IN undermining on
judicial system. They would estaSI!s
. novel ard Dangerous standard ,
which the motive ard deed Of the ruYi
Se.e- w1sId Do measured. TIE rr'r
e,pI. would be laid down that villa
Serserste and prcneditatsd msrd'
shsu.d be eoscon.d g committed
the son Of . criminal fattsr. acting
seaSnes.cn Win tina, fs.heF.
1t 10 a great power for ono mar
hs,S ,n bis hand-;hat priceless thin
hsoan nfe.~ decisse. one " che pct
oees. why Then dis not Claude All.
..aSSnts r..