The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1916-07-06
. PEOPLES FORUM.
Mans Inhumanitr 10 Ma.


In olden time it was the accented
'neory OF government that It was the
inherent right OF the ruling class TO
gain profit and pleasure from the 10
Dor or torture Of those who violated
the laws promulgated BY the rulers
laws were not administered as correct.
I've measures, for the benefit OF ,ocie-
ty as a whole, but for the benefit Of
the ruling class, to provide them with
pleasure or profit, Laws were nor
founded on the plan Of "the greatest
good to the greatest number" but ON
plan whichh was expected 10 pro.
duce agsrandezlment and amusement
to those who had power to enforce
them. Thus the headsman took the
life Of those who displeased the ruler
at the rulers pleasure: virgins gave
w their lives in flames, at the will Of
a debauched ana drunken monarch
the guilotinc claimed its thousands
tile torturcs Of the rack. the screws.
and many other devices Of satanic in.
senuity were visited upon the hapless
ropulace at the will Of church or
state.
hut with the progress OF mankind
in all lines Of endeavor. the visitation
Of punishment for infractions Of the
law has come to be regarded in diff |
ferent light. Led by the teachings
of the Brother to All Men. we now
realize that it is our duty to try TO !
correct as well as punish the error
of our brothers who violate the law |
Of the land. In our enlightened all. /
Of the law and its pen
alties we are fast becoming convinced
that we have no right, either individ-
ually or collectively, to deprive hui
man being Of that which God alone
can give-Life.
Many state, have abolished capi-
tai punishment. and it seems to me
that it would he meet for Florida
The brightest gem set in the fOotstooi
Of the Creator Of all beauty, to show
to the world and to the lover Of man.
kind that she is cognizant and appre-
ciatiye Of His many gifts by abolish
ug from her statute books the law
that can make a murderer Of the adj.
Of that law and the jury
In certain cases accessories to MUIR
Ter.
The taking Of human life never saw
1t soul, and we are led to believe
hat life in this world is but intend
ii for the preparation of the soul to
hare the infinite peace Of our Crea-
or. What right have we, then, to
leprive one of Gods soul.bearing
FEATURES Of life? To usurp the power
Inherent in God, by taking life? Only
iod knows when His creature has
un the race and should he called to
final accounting.
Does it not seem more in accord
With Il Divine Will, rs taught by Je-
us NnTlSt, tIlul We NHOulu ldhC thoHS ,
who have violated the laws Of God or
# society and put them under the care
f persons who are qualified and will
ne to teach them the error of trans
,rcssion, giving them a chance TO full
m the will of Holy Destiny by pre-
,arlng a soul to finally meet its Crea-
or. leariug to the Creator the inflic-
ion of the supreme punishment?
Then. too. while the transgressor IS
making an earthly atonement for the
rams erosion, his time should be put
o some purpose for the betterment
# the conditions of society; for which
he state should pay a just remunera-
ion. retaining only enough 10 pay Tor
he maintenance and administration
# the institutions Of correction the
.en,ainder to be turned over to the
amily Of the criminal, that the men,