Wisconsin herald, and Grant County advertiser. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1844-1845, 1845-09-20

ded, whilst hIgh-mnded raScallty
stalks unscathed through the land. Ev-
cry paper pours out its details of Sc
duction, ministerial Grim. con-, mobs,
street fights, lynching, outrage, repu-
diation and default.
Are the people shocked 2 Does
morality groan9 Does the pulpit de-
nounce? Does the press hold up the
offender to popular indignation ? Does
Society cast off the lepcr? Far from
it-seducers, hypocritic clergymen and
fery-headed brawlers, are the great
pets of the public-they keep the
world in a constant state of excitement,
and were it not for them, the columns
of the daily press would become stale
and unreadable.
"Time was,' says one of our papers,
"when crime was wick edness; now, it
is mental alteration. Time was, when
shooting a neigLbor was murder; now
it is an unfortunate affair. Time was
when seduction was 6endish act; now
it is IN affair of the heart. Time was
when the taking the property of an
other was downright theft; now it is
simple delault!"
Ministers were formerly set over US
to teach us morals and guide us by
their bright examples; but now their
errors are excused, their failings par
doned, they are so much exposed to
temptation.
Public officers were formerly entrust-
ed with the public purse, to guard it
like the honest mastiff; but now they
make it their business to run off with
the money. Men were once supposed
honest enough to pay their debts; but
now they fail, and retire to live at ease
on the accumulated spoil.
Offices Of Government were once
placed in the hands of manly, honora-
BILE and able statesmen; but now they
fatten the pockets,of dishonest dema-
gogues, and electioneering partizans.
Such is the age of reform! Not
that would discountenance the spirit
of Reform, or detract from the charac-
ter of the Reformers. There have
been reforms that have worked
mighty and pcrceptble influence
like the giant struggle against the
vice of intelnperance. There has also
been the true reformer who has spent
the flower Of his ears, taken no tho't
what he should eat or drink, freely
opened his purse and scattered the
seeds Of truth among the poor and
needy. But when the reiormer pros
titutes a glorious cause to private gain,
bargains his services to the highest
bidder, he paralyzes the energies of
humanity, disgraces the cause of truth,
and every superstructurc predicated
upon his exertions, must Of necessity
fall in shame and dishonor.
The great agents Of substantial re-
form, must be the Pulpit and the Press.
These are the leaders of the masses.
They are equally powerful for good
and FOR evil.
But these powerful engines, that
WELD the dynasty Of morals, have in a
great degree conformed to the times.
The bread that feeds their mouths, is
too often the stimulous that guides their
pens.
The priest ceases to be the censor
of evil deeds, or the prime mover in
good works. The press, instead of
guarding the public, but expresses the
public voice and cooks the exciting
morsel, which the false and dcpraved
appetite Of the people delights to feed
upon. And AL this, amid the thun-
behring's of reform, when societies for
the extirpation of vice are legion. But
each pulls at solitary hair on the
head Of the hydra; each fights against
his neighbours sins and forgets his own
the shadow is denounced and not the
substance; the ghost of evil offends,
while all love to feast upon its paltry
pleasures. The bible is read on Sun
day, and the libcrtne and licentious
trash. on the other six. The new bon
net, the Haunting ribbon, the gay cut
cloak, seek the sanctuary to see and
to be seen Of others, while the word OF
morality, or too often, the dogmstic
doctrines of creed ARE propounded to
deaf ears.
But vice. in order to be conquered
must be attacked, not in its branches,
but the axe must be laid at the foot Of
the tree. The head of the hoary hy-
dIa of vice, must be severed from The
loatbsome carcass, by the united efforts