I appear for the prisoner, and claim that he is not responsible for his act.
(Cries of shame! bosh! lynch him!)
I will first of all remind the court of the reasons upon which I base my claim.
(Gentleman in white tie rises and declaims vehemently against the immorality of the defence. Talks excitedly about the flood gates of anarchy, and the bulwarks of society, and is with difficulty persuaded to resume his seat.)
Clerical environment does not make for toleration and sweet reasonableness. I proceed to open my case.
Every quality of body or mind possessed by a child at birth has been handed down to the child by its ancestors.
The child could not select its ancestors; could not select its own qualities of body and mind.
Therefore the child is not to blame for any evil quality of body or mind with which it is born.
Therefore this tramp was not to blame if, at the moment of birth, his nature was prone to violence or to vice.
The prisoner is a criminal. He is either a criminal born, or a criminal made.