Year: 1871

RExAsKs OF SENATOR R GREENE, OF PETERSBURG


In the Senate Of Virginia, the bill under


consideration yesterday, was that offered by
Senator Greene, of Petersburg, few days
since, which reads as follows:
| "Be it enacted by the General Assembly, That all
laws providing for hepunishment of citizens of this
Commonwealth by stripes be- and the eame are, here
BY repealed"


ment as relic of the dark ages, which, in
these days of refinement, should be abandoned,
aud other modes of punishment substituted
more in consonance with modern civilization.
1t is at variance with the ideas of humanity
now. prevailing throughout the civilized
world.


What more abhorrent sight for this nfne-
teenth century, than to see man, made in the
image of his Maker, tied up to post, stripped
TO the waist, and his flesh cut and mauglcd By
the barbarous lash until the blood flows to the
ground9 1t is degrading the image Of God
below the level of the brute


Punishment, and especially the punishment
for minor offences-for which it is claimed this
mode 10 peculiarly spplicable-shoud be res
formatory in its nature. One Of the objects 10
inaicting punishment is to make men better;
but when we inaict this brutalizing punish
ment, we only kindle in the breast of the of-
fender the worst passions, hardening bis heart,
and sending him out into the world with re-
vengeful feelings, better prepared to commit
worse depredations upon society. The whip
ping makes the offender no better, but far
worse.


In the city which he had the honor to re-
present, the persons who had suffered this
punishment, were mostly boys from Is to 20
years of age-beginners in crime. How much
better it would be for this class of offenders to
establish in various parts Of the State Reform
Schools, as they are called, where those who
81 a L.
to wholesome restraint, trained to habits of
industry, and surrounded by moral and religi-
Gus influences In this way they would be ar
rested in their career of crime, changed into
good citizens, and sent out into the world a
benefit and blessing to society, Instead of
curse.


The speaker then referred to the punishment
of sailors by stripes. This mode had been
favorite way for petty quarter deck tyrants to
lord it over seamen in the United States navy.
But the humane spirit of the age had long
since abolished this barbarism, and now our
navy Is in q far better condition than ever
before. The sailor feels that his manhood is
respected, bis rights as citizen are regarded;
and being respected BY the laws of the land he
respects himself, and hence better state of
subordination prevails in the navy than when
the men were subjected to the brutalzing lash.


He objected to this law because it was aimed
at class. It had been said that this mode of
punishment was intended as much for the white
men as for the colored men of the State. This
is not So If this punishment is allowed to re-
main in vogue for one year, the speaker would
be glad, if the record could be produced, to
know the proportion of white persons to
colored persons that will be subjected to this
brutal inAiction. From what we have already
seen and heard, very few, indeed, of white
people will experience this cruel torture. The
colored people are the ones that are to suffer;
and it is intended for these mainly.


Ctaaa leni Iafin ia al nd 10
contrary TO the spirit, il not the letter, of our
constitution, and as such ought not to be per-
mitted.


A law like this, aimed at the poorer, or the
!aboriDg classes has the effect of making them
feel that their rights are not safe in the hands
of either law makers or execu toners; and
the consequence will be that our laborers will
be driven from this State to seek homes and
employment in those States that are under Re-
publican gOvernment-where the laws are not
made for a class, but all are governed alike.


He called tho particular attention of the Sen
ate ito this fact. Let the sentiment become
universal among the laboriDg classes, that
their rights are not trespectedin in this State, and
that they will be respected in other States,
we shall lose the means whereby the material
interest Of the State san be promoted through
our working classes. Already the exodus has
commenced, and unless we strike from our
statues these barbarous laws, the State will suf-
fer. This mode of punishment ia q relic of
slavery, and if, ss he believed it to be unani-
mously admitted, slavery has passed away with
its blighting curse upon Virginia, in Gods
name, let this 60 with it. la the name of hu-
manity, let this barbarism, the whipping-post,
go, tool


He could not agree with other Senators, who
said it would be measure of economy. To
bis mind it would be the contrary. He be-
lieved it would, By its very brutalizing tenden.
cies, increase the.commission OF acts in viola
tion Of the laws of the land. 1t would make
the beginners in crime hardened and deter
mined criminals, and it would confirm the more
advanced and thus increase the burdens upon
the State.


The speaker complimeuted many of his bro
ther Senators who differed with him politically.
He was pleased to find an honest effort on the
part Of some on the other side to support such
legislation as will benefit all classes He was
glad to bear testimony to the uniform courtesy
and kindly feeling which had marked the in
tercourse of these gentlemen with himself. He
now appealed to them to unite with him in this
most just measure


Mr.. Greene regretted that he had not been
able to present his views in better shape on
this occasion; but he had been otherwise en-.
gagged since the introduction of this bill, and
he was painfully conscious that his remarks
had been very crude and imperfectly pre-
sented.


In conclusion, be would say Put your
grand public school system into operation
speedily, and educate all classes. Erect your
referm schools for minor criminals, and use
your jails and penitentiary for the more hard
ened. Let your legislation be such as will
elevate, and not degrade, the people, and
especially the working people.


The rich, the educated and the powerful can
take care of themselves. Let US endeavor,
especially, 70 take care that we protect the
poor, the ignorant and the lowly, that we may
elevate them to the dignity of Intelligent
humanity. He thought this the last relic of
barbarism that remains in Virginia, and he
hoped that both Houses of the General
Assembly would unite with him in doing away
with this brutal relic of the DAYS of slavery.