H. L. Mencken Quotes
Hanging one scoundrel, it appears, does not deter the next. Well, what of it? The first one is at least disposed of.
Mencken, H. L. Minority Report: H. L. Mencken's Notebooks. Alfred A. Knopf, 1956.
This is the earliest surviving attempt of the Romans to formulate a legal code.
South Carolina passed a state law which overrode and nullified Federal Laws that they did not like. It was a type of secession. President Jackson, in his own blunt style, let them know that they had better not try to implement their nullification law. Of all the Presidents in American History, Jackson had the least respect for Constitutionality and due process. He had a history of summary execution where he was the judge, jury and almost the personal executioner. He is the only president in American history who refused to obey and order of the Supreme Court. There were few who doubted that he would make good on his threat. The South Carolina convention reconvened and repealed its Nullification Ordinance on March 11, 1833.
1st Marquees of Halifax. Even in the 18th century, it was realized that capital punishment was not a particularly good deterrent. Savile and others observed that there was a significant vengeance motive for state execution.
This has been the case in EVERY jurisdiction that has had capital punishment. Capital punishment does provide vengeance for victims, relatives and society. And in many societies execution is less expensive than prison for life. But it has never curtailed crime despite the example. In London, they used to have public executions as examples to inhibit crime. While the crowd was watching a pickpocket be hung, other pickpockets were relieving many spectators of their wallets and watches.
Henry Louis Mencken was an American journalist, essayist, satirist, cultural critic, and scholar of American English. He commented widely on the social scene, literature, music, prominent politicians, and contemporary movements. His satirical reporting on the Scopes Trial, which he dubbed the "Monkey Trial," also gained him attention.
