Page:On death punishments (Haughton).pdf/4

4 horrible event takes place; and that we hear the indignant cry of outraged humanity ringing in our ears, and telling us that there is a chord in man's inmost soul which is attuned to humanity, and which cannot vibrate in harmony when the gallows strikes the key.

It seems to me that, when a great principle is at stake, we should not wait for extraordinary occurrences to prompt us to labour for its fulfilment; but, that the value of the object itself should be a never-ceasing motive for action.

Our Society was founded for the purpose of "promoting the study of statistical and economical science," and, attracting public attention to the value of acquiring, through these means, a correct knowledge of sound principles of action; with a view of making such principles available for the promotion of human happiness. In a word, our object is to do as much good as we possibly can, on the principles of our association, leaving a reasonable latitude for digression to our members; still expecting from them such an adherence to our specific objects, as that all the papers read before the Society shall be mainly conducive to these objects. I have endeavoured to keep this idea in view, and I believe I may say for the Council of the Society, that they are most desirous to receive papers from such members of the general body as may be disposed to aid, in that way, the useful ends we all have in view.

Believing that the entire abolition of death punishment would be advantageous to society, I am induced to bring the question before you, in order that it may receive ample discussion at your hands; and, in this way, add to that increasing volume of public opinion, which will, I expect, at no distant day, erase from our statute-book this relic of a barbarous age. The statistics which 1 mean to lay before you will, I expect, carry your judgment with me.

I am aware that very many intelligent and good men still hold to the opinion, that the safety of society demands the violent death of the murderer. It shall be my object to prove that this is an erroneous idea, and that the "safety of society" will be best secured by the adoption of a contrary course—by a resort to the law of kindness, instead of carrying out those abstract notions of full justice, or vengeance, which have been handed down to us by preceding generations.

To establish my proposition, I shall bring before you statistics, drawn from undoubted sources, which prove that the amelioration of our criminal law, in relation to crimes of a lesser order than murder, but for which death punishment was formerly the penalty, has been attended with good results; and I shall also prove my case by a reference to the practice of other states, wherein the abolition of death punishment has in no degree endangered the "safety of society."

In relation to the statistics of the question, I find the following facts. In the reign of George III. 160 offences were punishable