The Detroit times., 1912-03-02
Editorials by the People.
"capitaI Punishment.' Aaaln.

Capital Punishment" Again.
To the Editor Of The Times;
Permit me 10 express my admlra-
ton for the clear vision and states
man.like exposition usually exhibited
/ by The Detroit Times, especially IN i
lrecent editorial article on the subject
of judicial murder in Illinois; also TO
make some comments on a contribu-
ton in the issue OF Tuesday last, en-
1 titled Capital Punishment
After making various observations
that writer bases his assumption In
favor OF legal killing on certain pas
sages OF the law OF Israel citing the
law OF retaliation as d.vinely author
lied, and referring particularly TO
Gen. 6. 3.
Now il is true that the law OF retail
iation. was anciently regarded as
! righteous retribution, and observed b.
the Romans. Greeks and Indians Tin
Guiding goelism. according TO which
the nearest relative avenged a muir
der). And that law was possibly nee
essary in the formative period OF his
tory when men were "a law unto
themselves; when there was no thor
oughly organized system OF justice,
and the individual was kind OF pri-
yate court, including jury. judge and
executioner
But IN the erefHtion OF civilized life
human progress moves by stages. The
era introduced by Moses represents 4
higher plane than any people had
hitherto attained. And when, many
centuries later, the great Regeneration
came, some old things (non-essentials)
were done away" and some new
things Indispensable were made
new" For this newer era He revised
the ancient code, especially the law
of retaliation. This law appears in
several Scripture places. In Exodus
81: 1926, il is expounded as follows:
Life for life, eye for eye, tooth for
tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
burning for burning, wound for
wound, stripe for stripe"
This passage is referred 10 in Mat
ttrw 53S, SO. and there the law OF re-
taliation, including the taking the life
OF fellow-being, Is forever abrogated
There was a time when polygamy
and slavery seemed to be divinely
sanctioned. And a few decades ago,
slave owners justified the wrong by
abundant scripture proofs. But these
conditions were only tolerated be-
cause OF the undeveloped ideals OF the
masses, and really they never had
divine approval. Slavery existed as
an institution, but never as principle
OF just and sane society. So in regard
TO capital punishment, IL has existed
as a law, but never as q principle OF
wise and righteous government.
Discussing the question OF divorce
for every cause, Master said. Moses,
because Of the hardness OF your
hearts, permitted you to put away
your wives. but from the beginning IL
was not So Thus IL was regarding
polygamy, and retaliation Inclusive,
OF judicial murder).
1t should be noted that some edicts
found in scripture. were evidently or
local or temporary application, as for
example, the requirement OF st. Paul
concerning church etiquette, and re-
garding marriage.
The object OF legal punishment Is
not revenge or retribution in any pos
sible degree, but for the protection OF
the public, and the discipline OF the
transgressor. Furthermore, taking
human life in any manner, anywhere
a.
life, and reduce the reverence with
which every life should be regarded.
Thus one suicide renders another cas-
Ter: in war where death is common,
man more readily exposes himself, or
consents to death than in state OF
peace. In some European countries,
even at the dawn o: our modern era,
there were several hundred forms OF
capital offense. But instead of oper-
ating as a deterrent, the more law
breakers the government executed,
the more reckless citizens became. So
that, as a means OF lessening crime, 1t
was found necessary TO greatly reduce
the range OF cases to be considered
capital offenses.
II is also recognized that capital
punishment, in its effect upon the
hearts OF jurors, greatly diminishes
the probability of conviction, so II at
but a small per cent OF all those tried
for murder where capital punishment
exists, are convicted.
Let every man SO long as he Is
proven dangerous TO society, whether
for a few or many years, be deprived
OF his liberty. But his life belongs to
him and his Creator.
IL is conceded that there was a time
when polygamy, slavery, easy divorce,
and jud1ciaI thanksgiving were toferat--
ed and prevailed, "but from the begin
ming IL was not So"
EDGAR L. MOORE.
Milan, Mich, March l, 1912.