Thoughts on the Death Penalty - Softcover
This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1847. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... THOUGHTS ON THE DEATH PENALTY. CHAPTER I. EXPEDIENCY. The design of punishment is to prevent the commission of crimes and to repair the injur? that hath been done thereby to 8ocietv or the individual, and it hath been found by experience that these objects are better obtained by moderate but certain penalties, than by severe and excessive punishment: and it ia the duty of every government to endeavor to reform rather than exterminate offenders, and the punishment of death ought never to be inflicted where it is not absolutely necessary to the public safety.--Law of Pcnniylvania. Stat-of 1784. PRELIMINARY REMARKS. Among the most important subjects now claiming public attention, is the duty of society toward its offending members. It is beginning to be felt more widely and deeply than heretofore, that the criminal is still a man, though a sinful one; that he has not ceased to be a brother by disregarding the solemn obligations of his brotherhood. The world has enjoyed, not altogether in vain, for eighteen centuries, the precepts and example of the great Reformer; and is learning, slowly indeed, but it is to be hoped surely, the heaven-taught lesson that it is better to save life than to destroy; that it is more worthy a civilized and Christian community to reform than to exterminate transgressors; and that the noblest triumph is achieved by him who converteth a sinner from the error of his way, and thus saves a soul from death and hides a multitude of sins. Many there are already, and the number is believed to be increasing, who think that humanity forbids, and the spirit of Christ condemns, all punishment aiming at retribution merely, an(l that the claims of justice and the divine law can be satislied, and the general welfare promoted, without the aid of bloody p...
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- PublisherGeneral Books LLC
- Publication date2012
- ISBN 10 1458999467
- ISBN 13 9781458999467
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages54
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