CHAPTER XX. Blood-Revenge and Compensation--the Punishment of Death

BLOOD-REVENGE AND COMPENSATION--THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH

The prevalence of the custom of blood-revenge, pp. 477-479.--Blood-revenge regarded not only as a right, but as a duty, p. 479 sq.--This duty in the first place regarded as a duty to the dead, whose spirit is believed to find no rest after death until the injury has been avenged, p. 481 sq.--Blood-revenge a form of human sacrifice, p. 482.--Blood-revenge also practised on account of the injury inflicted on the survivors, p. 482 sq.--Murder committed within the family or kin left unavenged, p. 483.--The injury inflicted on the relatives of the murdered man suggests not only revenge, but reparation, ibid.--The taking of life for life may itself, in a way, serve as compensation, p. 483 sq.--Various methods of compensation, p. 484.--The advantages of the practice of composition, p. 484 sq.--Its disadvantages, p. 485.--The importance of these disadvantages depends on the circumstances in each special case, p. 486 sq.--Among many peoples the rule of revenge strictly followed, and to accept compensation considered disgraceful, p. 487.--The acceptance of compensation does not always mean that the family of the slain altogether renounce their right of revenge, p. 487 sq.--The acceptance of compensation allowed as a justifiable alternative for blood-revenge, or even regarded as the proper method of settling the case, p. 488 sq.--The system of compensation partly due to the pressure of some intervening authority, p. 489 sq.--The adoption of this method for the settling of disputes a sign of weakness, p. 491.--When the central power of jurisdiction is firmly established, the rule of life for life regains its sway, ibid.--A person may forfeit his right to live by other crimes besides homicide, p. 491 sq.--Opposition to and arguments against capital punishment, pp. 492-495.--Modern legislation has undergone a radical change with reference to capital punishment, p. 495.--Arguments against its abolition, p. 495 sq.--The chief motive for retaining it in modern legislation, p. 496.