Criminals of the type that hold up trains, raid banks and rob Government buildings are jealous of their reputations in the underworld. Once whipped they become objects of derision and contempt in their own circles. Some of these men are inordinately vain. It is quite likely that this vanity, affectation or love of even doubtful glory deters them from invading Delaware and daring the post.
Notice how the arrest of a notorious yeggman is always followed by accurate reports of his record. Study these records and you will seldom see that the prisoner was whipped in Delaware. It is idle to assume that these men are afraid to come to Delaware because we have police, a militia and all the other agencies for the enforcement of law. These are common to all communities. They are not in any degree afraid of the physical punishment involved in a Delaware whipping. Many of them in friendly boxing bouts are more thoroughly beaten up every few days while exercising. It is the preliminaries, the mental picture of the trial, the solemnity of the sentence, the ignominy of the performance, and, last of all, the contempt, ridicule and humiliation at the hands of their consorts, male and female, that produce the result first on the individual whipped, and ultimately upon all of his kind.
If there was nothing to it but a mere flogging by a prison warder of doubtful authority; simply one man in brief authority beating up another man but temporarily in his keeping, there would be, could be, no such result, and the whipping of criminals would probably degenerate into revolting performances with attending scandals. The Delaware system precludes any such possibility.
The women of the nation lead in all humanitarian work as they should. In every large city in the United States, except Wilmington, Delaware, some brute is sent to jail every day or so for wife beating. Chicago has had to establish a Court of Domestic Relations for the almost exclusive benefit of women who have been whipped by beasts who swore to love and honor them. Delaware will never need any such court so long as the whipping post is so near the court house and in such great favor with our judiciary. There is no Judge sitting in Delaware who does not strongly favor the last for wife beaters.
Some of our good friends who call themselves penologists, philanthropists, humanitarians and prison reformers overlook one all important matter in their crusades. This essential is the prevention of crime. Without discussion I will agree to everything that any of them propose for the health and education and reformation of a criminal, but I still insist that he is best off when he is kept from crime.
The people of Delaware are not barbarians. In education, in culture, in true charity and in man’s love for man the people of Delaware rank with the best in the land and in patriotism second to none. It is absurd to attempt the indictment of a people of a sovereign State. Delaware has a proud place in the history of the country and is prepared to meet every proper issue as it arises and Congressmen from the wilds of Montana will do well to study the practical results following legislation in Delaware before asking for Federal interference in a purely State matter.
Let every professional criminal in all the world know that Delaware is no field for his operation; that crime here means public whippings on the bare back, the ultimate of public disgrace, absolute enforcement of the law and Delaware will be well served. Other States may toy with the criminal; experiment with crime and multiply the police, but Delaware will continue to prevent crime and thus save the criminal from himself and protect the public from the criminal.
There is no considerable sentiment against the whipping post in Delaware.