Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 249, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 October 1912 — HANGING AS A SPECTACLE. [ARTICLE]

HANGING AS A SPECTACLE.

We would not deny the gravity of death, it Is a quite serious matter even to those of us who, while conscious of, or at least admitting, no really sinful performances in thq past, would nevertheless, If pressed, gopfess to certain minor indiscretions which we would be only toq willing tQ join with the Lord In forgeting. Nevertheless, if form or ceremony or general interest be considered the criterion, dying Is one of the most popular things one can do. Nobody goes to see a man born, but the entire community turns out to see him buried. Indeed, It is well known that many people, perhaps a majority, derive actual enjoyment from beholding with their own eyes life flicker out of a person’s body. The almost universal satisfaction found, from time immemorial. In witnessing a hanging we can understand; the event is more spectacular gnd less expensive that a circus, possesses grisly human Interpet to a distinctive degree, is presumably grimly just and, in any case, is unpreventable. If the hanging is to take place anyway, why shouldn't we see it? That is the reasoning—' and It seems good enough if one cares for that variety of sport.—North American Review.