ABSTRACT
When one examines the violence of 2 August 1853 closely, one can clearly discern the strain of retributive justice running through it. Retributive justice theory posits that it is morally acceptable and even necessary for a healthy functioning society to punish acts of wrongdoing and that this will ultimately benefit society. The retributive punishment restores a sense of equilibrium in regard to the victim of the offence and the wrongdoer. Retributive clashes with blacklegs could assume numerous forms. Such confrontations could encompass measures higher up the scale of violence, such as the targeting of blacklegs in their dwellings. The principle of retributive justice demanded, however, that the culprits should be enlightened as to their wrongdoing and some sense of equilibrium between the parties be restored. Direct action included a willingness to use retributive violence in the war against blacklegging, as can be seen from the following example from Scotland.
