The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-11-06
Are Men Growing Wn.se.

the COmmerclal and Financial article OF the
Independent of last week, we find this extraor-
.dinary passage, though we do not attribute its
sentiments to the editors of that paper:
g" Among the revelations of the week are some
large forgeries, unfortunately no novelty either
IN Europe or America, but which seems to be
increasing even with our advancing civilization,
as measured by the increase and diffusion of
knowledge. There is a constant tendency in
human nature TO relapse into barbarism, and
the constant efforts to educate our race hardly
keep pace with 1.-THE strong tendency to degene-
rate. .".srrE .r.f .
As long ago as 1851 we answered this ques-
tion in the chronological Journal, add now re-
peat it as an antidote to ths doctrines Of the
hnancier of our respected colempararY:
According TO the reports Of the Prison Dis
ei pline Society, the number of State prisoners
in Maine decreased (alowing for the increase
of population,) from lS37 to 1884, 40 per cent;
in Massachusetts,. l6 per cent; in New Jersey,
30 per cent; in Maryland, Pennsyevanis, and
Virginia, between 30 and 40 per cent; in New
York, % per cent; and in New Hampsre and
Connecticut the ratio remained about the same.
A very large proportion of the convictions for
crime is from the foreign population, and maxi
Ing allowances for the increase from this source
it isestimated that the average decrease of crime
in the States mentioned, between 1887 and lS47
was nearly or quite 80 per cent. And yet there
are many who making themselves unhappy
over the mistaken idea that tne world is becom-
ing every day more and more a Sodom, which
is ripening rapidly for the just vengeance of
Heaven. No one can dispute the fact that
there is crime and sin enough among men to
awaken the adherence OF Heaven and of the
pure OF earth, but that the world is becoming
worse, we do not believe word OF 1t. Statls-
tics and figures will not lie-they are above the
authority Of all the fears or impressions of par
tial observers
1t is contrary to the immutable laws OF
progress which is stamped upon all that God has
made. Vice produces nhappiness-indeed, it
is in direct war upon happiness, and a man is
too fond of exemption from the penalties Of
natura' law, to incur its penalties wllfully with
his eyes open. He ignorantly doubts the GER
taniy or probability OF punishment, or he would
not sin. But light is being scattered-men are
coming TO know that bad air, improper diet,
exciting stimulants, tight lacing, and too little
sleep are injurious to the body; and such re-
formation as has occurred in the civilized world
within the last twenty years on these subjects
has never before been witnessed in the same
length OF time.
Earth and its Inhabitants do not 90 ba OK
ward, but are constantly rising in the scale Of
perfection. Nature abhors relrogressloI.
Arts, mechanism, and science are opening
to the world the means Of physical aud mental
tmprore ent. Etucsuon Is more general than
ever before--'ha press and the pulpit are illuini-
mating the world, aud IL were indeed sorry fact
IT, under all these facilities for becoming better
and happier by having abundant means tor such
Improvement, II man was really becoming daily
more wicked and blinded TO his highest good.
: True, we hear OF more crime than we did
thirty yrers ago because newspapers have IN.
creased thousand.iold, and the more rapid
modes OF communication bring states and ma
tons INTO more nltmate acquaintance; be-
sides, the Telegraph heralds murder or fire
from St, Louis to Boston before the blood of the
Viclim' or the ashes OF the edlhcs are cold, and
all along the lines, thousand daily presses ie-
cord the facts ami ten thousand locomotives,
steamboats,, aud stages scatter the paper wings
OF thought to millions of greedy readers. 1t is
strange that few anliquated conservatives
should shuJler over sucha concentrated record
OF erim1, and. because they thus hear of more
Than they DID when II took week TO 80 from
Boston to New York. aud when not one family
Teach man the laws of Physiology, and he
will not carry Goals in his hosom-pour liquid
fire into his stoma ach-make smokehouse of
htmself-or lace the breath of life out of his
lungs. Then the sin and misery of these praC-