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licentious soldiery； with whom the more violent offences originated。
During the four wickedest years of the Bank of England （from 1814 to
1817； inclusive）； when the one…pound note capital prosecutions were most
numerous and shocking； the number of forged one…pound notes discovered
by the Bank steadily increased； from the gross amount in the first year of
10；342 pounds； to the gross amount in the last of 28；412 pounds。 But in
every branch of this part of the subjectthe inefficiency of capital
punishment to prevent crime； and its efficiency to produce itthe body of
evidence （if there were space to quote or analyse it here） is overpowering
and resistless。
I have purposely deferred until now any reference to one objection
which is urged against the abolition of capital punishment： I mean that
objection which claims to rest on Scriptural authority。
It was excellently well said by Lord Melbourne； that no class of
persons can be shown to be very miserable and oppressed； but some
supporters of things as they are will immediately rise up and assertnot
that those persons are moderately well to do； or that their lot in life has a
reasonably bright sidebut that they are； of all sorts and conditions of men；
the happiest。 In like manner； when a certain proceeding or institution is
shown to be very wrong indeed； there is a class of people who rush to the
fountainhead at once； and will have no less an authority for it than the
Bible； on any terms。
So； we have the Bible appealed to in behalf of Capital Punishment。 So；
we have the Bible produced as a distinct authority for Slavery。 So；
American representatives find the title of their country to the Oregon
territory distinctly laid down in the Book of Genesis。 So； in course of
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time； we shall find Repudiation； perhaps； expressly commanded in the
Sacred Writings。
It is enough for me to be satisfied； on calm inquiry and with reason；
that an Institution or Custom is wrong and bad； and thence to feel assured
that IT CANNOT BE a part of the law laid down by the Divinity who
walked the earth。 Though every other man who wields a pen should turn
himself into a commentator on the Scripturesnot all their united efforts；
pursued through our united lives； could ever persuade me that Slavery is a
Christian law； nor； with one of these objections to an execution in my
certain knowledge； that Executions are a Christian law； my will is not
concerned。 I could not； in my veneration for the life and lessons of Our
Lord； believe it。 If any text appeared to justify the claim； I would reject
that limited appeal； and rest upon the character of the Redeemer； and the
great scheme of His Religion； where； in its broad spirit； made so plain
and not this or that disputed letterwe all put our trust。 But； happily； such
doubts do not exist。 The case is far too plain。 The Rev。 Henry Christmas；
in a recent pamphlet on this subject； shows clearly that in five important
versions of the Old Testament （to say nothing of versions of less note） the
words； 〃by man〃； in the often…quoted text； 〃Whoso sheddeth man's blood；
by man shall his blood be shed〃； do not appear at all。 We know that the
law of Moses was delivered to certain wandering tribes in a peculiar and
perfectly different social condition from that which prevails among us at
this time。 We know that the Christian Dispensation did distinctly repeal
and annul certain portions of that law。 We know that the doctrine of
retributive justice or vengeance； was plainly disavowed by the Saviour。
We know that on the only occasion of an offender； liable by the law to
death； being brought before Him for His judgment； it was not death。 We
know that He said； 〃Thou shalt not kill〃。 And if we are still to inflict
capital punishment because of the Mosaic law （under which it was not the
consequence of a legal proceeding； but an act of vengeance from the next
of kin； which would surely be discouraged by our later laws if it were
revived among the Jews just now） it would be equally reasonable to
establish the lawfulness of a plurality of wives on the same authority。
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Here I will leave this aspect of the question。 I should not have treated
of it at all in the columns of a newspaper； but for the possibility of being
unjustly supposed to have given it no consideration in my own mind。
In bringing to a close these letters on a subject； in connection with
which there is happily very little that is new to be said or written； I beg to
be understood as advocating the total abolition of the Punishment of Death；
as a general principle； for the advantage of society； for the prevention of
crime； and without the least reference to； or tenderness for any individual
malefactor whomsoever。 Indeed； in most cases of murder； my feeling
towards the culprit is very strongly and violently the reverse。 I am the
more desirous to be so understood； after reading a speech made by Mr。
Macaulay in the House of Commons last Tuesday night； in which that
accomplished gentleman hardly seemed to recognise the possibility of
anybody entertaining an honest conviction of the inutility and bad effects
of Capital Punishment in the abstract； founded on inquiry and reflection；
without being the victim of 〃a kind of effeminate feeling〃。 Without
staying to inquire what there may be that is especially manly and heroic in
the advocacy of the gallows； or to express my admiration of Mr。 Calcraft；
the hangman； as doubtless one of the most manly specimens now in
existence； I would simply hint a doubt； in all good humour； whether this
be the true Macaulay way of meeting a great question？ One of the
instances of effeminacy of feeling quoted by Mr。 Macaulay； I have reason
to think was not quite fairly stated。 I allude to the petition in Tawell's
case。 I had neither hand nor part in it myself； but； unless I am greatly
mistaken； it did pretty clearly set forth