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POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
the right of deliberately destroying a human being, even 
for this crime. 
In our views of those parts of the sacred writings, 
we may perhaps have been mistaken. But in reference 
to the great principles on which public justice is ad¬ 
ministered, the plan recommended appeared in every 
respect preferable. Death is not inflicted, even on the 
murderer, from motives of retaliation or revenge ; and if 
it be considered that his life is forfeited, and is taken to 
expiate his crime, the satisfaction which the injured 
party derives from such expiation, must be of a very 
equivocal kind. At the same time, the very execution of 
the sentence imparts to the executioner somewhat of 
the character of an avenger, or excites the apprehension 
that it is done under the influence of irritated and vin¬ 
dictive feelings. 
The great design of capital, and even other punish¬ 
ments, is the security of society, and the prevention of 
crime. The death of the criminal preserves society 
from any future injury by his means ; and the fatal 
punishment inflicted, it is presumed, will deter others 
from the commission of similar offences. The security 
of the community from all future violation or outrage, is 
certainly obtained by the death of the criminal; but 
experience and observation abundantly demonstrate the 
inadequacy of public executions to restrain from the most 
appalling deeds. Every repetition of the awful spectacle 
appears to diminish its horrific character, until those 
habituated to felony become familiar with its heaviest 
punishment. The principal end of public executions is 
thus defeated, the general tone of public feeling lowered, 
and that which was designed to be the most effectual 
moral barrier, is at length converted into an occasion, or 
