The Execution of Harris

I must commend Charles W. Colson for his inspiring essay on the death penalty (Column Right, April 20). It is a great relief for me to find that I am not the only Republican conservative out there who opposes capital punishment. I like having a Republican in the governor’s mansion; I just wish that he were Gov. Colson rather than Gov. Wilson.

For the reasons outlined by Colson in his article, execution is a barbaric and dangerous practice. My primary reason for opposition is the possibility of killing an innocent person. Also, I find the general clamor for executions disturbing. Such craving for revenge and blood is most unhealthy, and a detriment to civilized society.

Whether liberal, centrist or conservative, all Californians and other Americans should take a long, searching look at execution and the thinking behind it. I will not be satisfied until bans on capital punishment are written into the constitutions of California, the 49 other states, and the United States. Fellow conservatives, may we take the lead in rethinking this brutal practice and working to end it.

DAVID W. REICHERT

Los Angeles