What were Lydia Child's objections to capital punishment? Explain her arguments against the

death sentence and methods of execution used at that time. In your opinion, would Child see

twenty first century methods and attitudes about capital punishment as more humane than those

of the nineteenth century?

Question

History

Gamble

21 April, 11:37

What were Lydia Child's objections to capital punishment? Explain her arguments against the

death sentence and methods of execution used at that time. In your opinion, would Child see

twenty first century methods and attitudes about capital punishment as more humane than those

of the nineteenth century?

+1

Answers (1)

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Nathalie Best · Answer 1

Lydia Child's objection to capital punishment was as a result of no regards to human life sacredness. She felt disgusted with the whole process. The fanfare that annoyed her was captured in this quote below:

"We were to have had carried out a capital punishment yesterday; but the prisoner avoided it by himself. The place had been erected for several hours, the man who will carry out the hanging was all ready to cut cord; marshals paced back and forth, smoking and whistling; spectators were waiting impatiently.

Printed circulars had been handed abroad to summon the number of witness required by law:-"You are respectfully invited to witness the carrying out of the capital punishment of John C. Colt."

In my opinion, Child would still see capital punishment methods and attitude in this century as evil as she has always held it to be.

Her view has been unwavering and is aptly captured in the quote by her below:

"To me, human life seems to be a sacred thing, that capital punishment always fills me with horror, whether perpetrated by an individual or a crowd; whether done contrary to law and custom, or according to law and custom ".