Herald Of The Valley

From the Phil. American Daily Advertiser

STATE PENITENTIARY.

The Corner Stone of the Front Building of this extensive Prison, was laid on Thursday afternoon last, at six o'clock, in the presence of the Commissioners, Architect, Superintendent and workmen. A few citizens attracted by the collection of persons at one spot on the site, also witnessed the ceremony, and a bystander noted the following as the substance of what was said on the interesting occasion.

Mr. Roberts Vaux said, that he much regretted the unavoidable absence of the President of the Board, in whose place he had just then been unexpectedly desired to say a few words concerning the purpose for which the Commissioners were assembled. He remarked that the occasion was calculated to awaken reflections at once painful and gratifying. Painful, because such was the erring character of man, so ungovernable was his passions, and so numerous his propensities to evil, that it was necessary society should provide means for the punishment of offenders against its laws: Gratifying, because a correct view of human nature, coupled with the indispensable exercise of Christian benevolence, had led to the melioration of punishments. Justice was now mixed with Mercy, and whilst the community designed to teach offenders that the way of the transgressors is hard, it wisely and compassionately sought to secure and reform the criminal by the most strict solitary confinement. This penitentiary was designed to accomplish these important ends, and when it shall be completed it will afford the first opportunity here of putting in efficient practice the penal code of this state. Mr. Vaux congratulated his fellow citizens of Pennsylvania, because their Legislature were the first (almost forty years ago) to abolish those cruel and vindictive penalties which were in use in the European countries from which we had descended. The Pillory, the Whipping post and the Chain, were not calculated to prevent crime, but to familiarize the mind with cruelty, and consequently to harden the hearts of those who suffered and those who witnessed such punishments.

The substitution in Pennsylvania of milder correctives had excited the notice and respect of nations abroad, as well as our sister states--our example had in some instances been followed, and he had no doubt the principle would more extensively prevail.