1990.034.002

This is a very old book dating back to the mid-1800’s surrounding the topic of humanity and human decency in relation to what the author calls “Barbarism” in society. More explicitly, the author is promoting a Christian attitude of change in the way that prisoners and the poor were treated in the U.S. during the time period in which he wrote this book. The author introduces his readers to the idea that, since many forms of torture and punishment had been outlawed prior to the 1850s, it is the dictation of God and of human progress that the forms currently used, like wrongful execution and child labor, should also be outlawed. The authors tone throughout the book is less accusatory to the ones who jail, punish and execute, but more coercive and based on what he calls the “facts of human progression”. The overall message in the book is that humanity is preserved by our constant re-alignment of our collective morals, and that acts like execution, severe punishment of prisoners and the abuse of the young and the poor are simply in need of re-alignment, and need to be outlawed much in the same way that crucifixion, the guillotine and many other inhumane forms of punishment had been prior.

Written on inside cover: "Read this book carefully and then give judgment" also written name: "Samuel N Olmsted"