Founding Fathers, Death Penalty?

Question

What did our founding fathers think about the death penalty (cruel and unusual punishment in general)

Answer 1

Back in the 1700's, murderers and traitors were put to death. Cruel and unusual punishment? You must be joking. These crimes were not tolerated. I think we need to get back to our roots, and immediately execute murderers, traitors, and terrorists.

Answer 2

I'm not at home with being labeled with a whole group of people as one; there are plenty of liberals I am at loggerheads with over some issues. I will say that, politically, I tilt left. When it comes to the death penalty, notice that the statisitc isn't 100%, which means that you will eventually--and have-- kill innocent people. Also, I take the view that their is no such thing as "evil" as most religious people on the right do. I believe that people are sometimes slaves to their biology and environments. For instance, if you look at high impoverished regions like where I live, NYC, you will see a ignorant culture that tends to encourage violence. While with more suburban cultures that is looked at as it should: ugly and shunned.. In other words, socio-economic issues contribute to the way someone grows and what habits they have. Also, some people could have faulty DNA programming when it comes to their brains. Their is LITERALLY a part of the brain, that if damaged, that will blocks feelings of compassion anger..etc from being felt. In other words, you end up with the logic part of your brain overpowering the much needed emotional part of the brain. It's not so much about not feeling sorry for victims; I feel the pang of compassion for anyone that has lost someone in a horrible way. But the death penalty isn't the answer. Can I ask you a question? If it was found--and proven matter-of-factly--hat the fella that recently just shot up the theater in Colorado DID have some sort of brain problem and they have patched it up AND IT WAS PROVEN, will you still support the death penalty? Because if you do, than you are just seeking revenge, and at the end of the day, the problem of brain issues and cultural issues aren't being remedied. Edit: And by the way, the founding fathers, for the most part supported slavery, too. Does that mean it should have never been squashed? The Founders created an amazing document that revolutionized this world. However, they aren't flawless paragons, they were humans. We must debate issues carefully and not use the founders as if they are quality evidence for a political position. I'm not well versed in the writings of the founders, but I will guarantee you that some of them probably had reservations about the death penalty.

Answer 3

I assume they thought it was OK since they didn't include anything about it in the Constitution, but yet, it existed back then.



The death penalty has been around for many, many centuries. It's not something new that just started occurring in modern times. The only thing that has changed is the methods used.



*EDIT* - "Cruel and unusual punishment" is a phrase that means the punishment should fit the crime. If you brutally rape and kill someone, the death penalty very much fits the crime. If you break into someone's house and steal their TV, the death penalty would be "cruel and unusual punishment."

Answer 4

Back in those days, the death penalty was far worse. One form of it was "drawing and quartering", where the persons arms and legs were tied to four horses who all ran away from the center, ripping the person apart. In the colonial days, it was not uncommon for someone to have their clothes ripped off, have them covered in scalding tar and covered in feathers to be paraded around town while they died of 3rd degree burns. This was also a time when two men could duel with pistols and not be charged with murder when one dies.

Answer 5

Of course this particular issue is not discussed in the constitution as the document is not that specific (by design). But if they were alive today, I'm pretty sure that they would say that the punishment fits the crime.



After all, they were practical and not bleeding heart, PC guys.

Answer 6

back then they would hang you for stealing a horse. but the death had to be swift with as little pain as possible. when they would hang you it only took a second for your neck to brake and you would die. in Europe they were still executing people in ways that could take hours or even days. using methods that were designed to cause as much pain as possible.

Answer 7

I'm guessing they agreed with it being that people were still hung in the Colonial era. It's just the modern day fool who says it's cruel and unusual or "inhumane".

Answer 8

Since the 5th Admendment says in part, " ...nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law..." they clearly wrote the bill of rights to allow it.

Answer 9

Times change. Societal values change. Many of the founding fathers were slaveowners too.