Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - II. Chapter. The rise and development of the correction-system
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The noble count’s example was not, however,
lost, but the exertions of other equally estimable
philanthropists could only produce isolated
improvements, so long as the legislation itself had not
adopted a milder and more humane disposition. This
great philanthropic reform was reserved for the
religious zeal of the Quakers. They succeeded in
1786 in introducing their views into the
National-assembly of Pensylvania; capital-punishment, before
frequently applied, was limited to very few crimes,
and in 1790 imprisonment with compulsory labour
was appointed, instead of the corpora] punishments
before used, as flogging, branding, cutting off the
ears, the pillory &c.
This measure was a signal step towards the
grand object — to make the law synonymous with
justice and humanity. But if we often discover
in the depth of human thought, traces of its divine
origin not easily to be mistaken, human weakness
also appears as clearly, when this thought is to be
embodied and put into action. Then are discovered
unforeseen difficulties; then mistakes crowd upon
each other, and the only clue which can lead from
this maze, is an enlightened and firm will. Such
was the case here.
The prison, which was erected at Philadelphia
in Walnut Street, did not answer the great
expectations that had been formed of it; the number
of cells was insufficient, and when numerous
delinquents from the different county-jails were
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