ath sentence to imprisonment
for life. In view of the fact that the great Agnostic has made a
close study of capital punishment, a reporter for the _World_ called
upon him a day or two ago for an interview touching modern reformatory
measures and the punishment of criminals. Speaking generally on the
subject Colonel Ingersoll said: ]

I suppose that society--that is to say, a state or a nation--has
the right of self-defence. It is impossible to maintain society--
that is to say, to protect the rights of individuals in life, in
property, in reputation, and in the various pursuits known as trades
and professions, without in some way taking care of those who
violate these rights. The principal object of all government should
be to protect those in the right from those in the wrong. There
are a vast number of people who need to be protected who are unable,
by reason of the defects in their minds and by the countless
circumstances that enter into the question of making a living, to
protect themselves. Among the barbarians there was, comparatively
speaking, but little difference. A living was made by fishing and
hunting. These arts were simple and easily learned. The principal
difference in barbarians consisted in physical strength and courage.
As a consequence, there were comparatively few failures. Most men
were on an equality. Now that we are somewhat civilized, life has
become wonderfully complex. There are hundreds of arts, trades,
and professions, and in every one of these there is great
competition.

Besides all this, something is needed every moment. Civilized man
has less credit than the barbarian. There is something by which
everything can be paid for, including the smallest services.
Everybody demands payment, and he who fails to pay is a failure.
Owing to the competition, owing to the complexity of modern life,
owing to the thousand things that must be known in order to succeed
in any direction, on either side of the great highway that is called
Progress, are innumerable wrecks. As a rule, failure in some honest
direction, or at least in some useful employment, is the dawn of
crime. People who are prosperous, people who by reasonable labor
can make a reasonable living, who, having a little leisure can lay
in a little for the winter that comes to all, are honest.

As a rule, reasonable prosperity is virtuous. I don't say great
prosperity, because it is very hard for the average man to withstan