Excerpt from Capital Punishment: And the Law
After writing a book, it seems as necessary for the author to solicit the courteous attention of the reader to its pages, in a few prefatory remarks, as it is when forming the acquaintance of a stranger to be introduced by one already acquainted with the person whose society is sought. In this duty I take great pleasure, hoping that those who peruse this volume may realize much profit, as thus my object will be attained.
The prevalence of crime in general, and the many murders in particular, at the present time, was the actuating motive which induced me to attempt an inquiry into the cause and effect of this sad grievance, and, if possible, to point out a more successful treatment, a sure means of preventing crime, and a better, more humane method of treating the criminal than has hitherto been employed. The idea that the infliction of the death penalty for capital crime is either a preventive measure or a protection to society is fully discussed, and shown to be utterly false, unnatural, and an incentive to crime, and its speedy abolition strongly urged. I have also endeavored to point out correct principles, by which the laws of man may be made to harmonize with those of God and nature; and have striven to create a popular sentiment with a view to bring about a general reform.
The work which I have undertaken is an attempt only to defend the truth, and to fill a certain vacancy, which at the present epoch seems to be widely felt. I offer no excuse for a murderer, or in any manner shield crime, but, on the contrary, am in favor of a rigid enforcement of the law. So long as capital punishment is the law, let it be enforced; but I contend that the law is wrong, and should therefore be repealed. I have labored studiously to set forth in .clear and pointed language the natural causes which induce men to commit crime, and the just punishment and rational means of prevention which have never before been presented to the public in the same light.
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