American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-08-11

PRoGEEss OF CRIME. The commitment to
Baltimore County jial shew that crime is ra-
pdly ON the increase; and that, not only has the
number Of offenders been augmented, but the
cnormity of offences commit cd increased also.
This is state Of society which demands the
most serious consideration. To whatever cause
this increase of crime may be attributed, it be-
comes the duty Of our courts of lustice-the
police officers, and the people, to use increased
vigilance IN the detection and punishment of
criminals Let them learn, that in all cases the
laws will be promptly and rigidIy enforced, and
they may be deferred from the commission of
offences
Parents and guardians have most RESPONSE
BILE duty to discharge, which we fear in TOO
many cases, is neglected, If the young be per-
mtted to roam the streets at night unrestrain-
ed, they will necessarily contract bad habits.
which, by degrees will plunge them into crime.
Neglect in the religious and moral education of
youth, is fruitful source of crime, as it leads
them to infidcy, intcmperance, and disregard
of thu decencies and social duties Of life Not
witllstandng the continued and unremtted ex-
crtionS of the temperance societies, TO induce
men TO refrain from ''putting an enemy in their
mouths to steal away their brains, - and to rem.
der them degraded and loathsome objects to
their friends, it cannot be denied, that intem-
perance is on the increase-and with lis IN
crease crime OF course progresses five would
strike at the very root Of existing evils, we must
give to the young active employ ment-make
them labor and learn the value of time and of
money-and not raise them with high notions
OF their own Importance, and with a perfect
contempt for those who "earn their bread by
the sweat of their brow" Idlencss is more
apt to make vagabond or Il criminal of
young man, than to convert him into Il gen
tleman-but the characteristic of the times is
Discrimination to work and procure an honest
livelihood.
There is spurious philosophy abroad, which
also has some share, in all probability, in In
creasing the number of criminals. We allude
to that miscalleG philosophy which denies the
immortality of the soul, and the responsibility
of man to his maker-nay even the existence
of God himself These principles are openly
nculcated upon the young in some sections of
our country; and must have most delcterous
influence on their actions-for what is to re-
strain the evil propensites of our nature, if we
be taught that there is no responsibility beyond
that of the law of the land? 1t is certainly the
duty Of those to whom the care of youth is en-
trusted, TO that they are properly instructed
in their religious and moral duties, and to pre-
vent their imbibing those hcresies which are
alike ruinous in this life and that to come. In
sholt, all means should be used to improve the
moral condition of society-to cultivate and
elevate the minds of the young-to encourage
the disposition to industry-and to Danish the
false idea that to labor is disreputabe. Make
young men comprehend what truly constitutes
the gentleman, and we shall have less violence
and crime to complain of or to punish.