The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-17
OPEN TO PROOF.

Our good friend Rev. Z. w Winfrey. D. D..
who favors the abolition OF capital punish.
ment, unknowingiy, perhaps. has recourse to the
setting up a straw man and then knocking it
down. In other words he puts into the form
of a syIlogism an expression OF belief made
by The VtYotmidn, calls 1t The V!rointan's argu-
ment and then proceeds to show that the syllo-
gism is faulty.
Right here The Virginsdn will admit that the
syllogism is faulty. but 1t is not the syliogism
Of The Virgsnion but that OF DR.. winfrey Here
1T is: r.
Capital punishment Is the best method of
self defense; pr,
The State has the right to employ the best
method of self Defense
r Therefore, the State has the right to employ
capital punishment
The minor premise DR.. winfrey admits to be
true and says that II the major premise be
established the conclusion follows inevitably,
but adds that the major premise ia not estab-
lished
1t is not The Virotnion thinks 1t could be
to which Dr. winfrey takes exception that II
did not care to undertake the trouble to establish
It. The whole purpose Of the editorial In CUES
tion was to show that Dr. Winfrey's statement
of the position Of those who favor capital pun
ishment was not correct. 1t distinctly stated
that If DR.. Winfrey any else would prove
that capital punishment is not the best method
cf all dafn I'm d. re
ness and could then propose better method
The Vtrgsnian, for one. would abandon It's posi-
tion In favor of capital punishment.
Our good friend to the contrary notwith-
standing the burden Of proof that capital pun
ishment is the best method of dealing with GER
tain violations of the law is not upon us We
made no affirmation. Capital punishment exists;
has existed for thousands Of years and should
continue to exist until destroyed by proof that
some other method is the best The burden of
proof is upon those who would abolish 1t.
| The intention of The Vir0imian was to hold
DR. Winfrey and those who agree with him to the
point Let them drop all other arguments.
There is none other He admits 1t himself
when he says that our statement that 1.-THE State
has the right to employ the best method of self
defense is true statement. We believe that
capital punishment is the best method, there
fore we believe in capital punishment. DR..
Winfrey and his friends do not. but we are not
attempting to convince him He is attempting
tc convince us and others who favor the reten.
ton of capital punishment II he fails to do
that capital punishment will be retained. 1t
will be retained whether we convince him or
not for his kind are In the minority.
The Virg!nian repeats its challenge. Prove
to us that capital punishment is not the best
method OF self defense, and we win agree with
him. Forget the syllogism: VIC did not compose
1t. for we are not arguing for capital punish
ment, but against incorrect statements of the
arguments for It. Capital punishment is not the
best method Of self defense against lawlessness
CT certain kinds Ia DIR. winfrey's statement, for
he admits that were 1t the best method the abo-
ltion of capital punishment would be undesir.
able. Now let him prove his statement II he
wishes to gain adherents to the cause he has
taken up. The Virginian Is open-minded on
the subject