Between Right and Wrong
One searches in vain for the execution of any member of the affluent state of our society. -WILLIAM O. DOUGLASS Former Supreme Court Justice Life after death? What do you tell a man who has only twelve hours to live? -CLINTON T. DUFFY Warden, San Quentin Prison The Ultimate Penalty In the United States Constitution, there is no specific reference concerning the death penalty. However, the First Congress of the United States made reference to capital punishment. Capital punishment was to be used only on the 12 “capital” crimes, which included treason, murder, piracy, and forgery. However, like today, the ultimate penalty was the subject of debate, especially because of its deterrent value and the degree to which it was imposed. The First Congress recognized that cases involving the death penalty are different and that there should be special procedures in the way that the law goes about handling them. Therefore, from 1790 to the present day, the federal criminal code has always contained provisions for the death penalty (U.S. Department of State). The death penalty by far is the ultimate penalty. Whether deterrence is achieved or not, it is not the only reason that the death penalty should remain. In today’s society, a punishment that shows what will happen if certain crimes are committed is necessary to keep criminals in their place. Understandably, not all criminals will get the message but there will be a percentage that this will inspire fear in. If for every execution one possible crime committed were not, we’d have accomplished our goal of detterence. Many people believe that capital punishment is barbaric, how about the crime committed by the criminal, is that not an act of barbarism? A three–Point Guide to Capital Punishment The world has different beliefs about capital punishment. There are many arguments for and against it. There may be certain religious beliefs or morality issues that some people choose to ignore. I now put forward three patterns of capital punishment among the states. The concepts of my theses are very clear and each has been prefaced with statistics and facts about the death penalty. Death Penalty Story, Part 1 In the spring of 1821, hundreds of spectators gathered in Salem, Massachusetts to watch Stephen Clark climb the scaffold to his death. Clark was hanged for setting fire to a barn at night, which at that time was considered a “capital” offense. What constitutes a capital offense from the 17th century to present day have changed to a certain degree. In the 17th century, American colonist believed “capital” crimes included the following: robbery, burglary, arson (which was Clark’s offense), counterfeiting, theft, rape, treason, manslaughter, and murder.