Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-08-26
Degrading Influences.

One Of our exchanges uses the following
language-"murders and crimes increase up
on us until we have no heart to record the
disgusting details"
We have no doubt that this is the senti-
nent of very many Of our editorial brethren,
whether they have SO expressed themselves in
their papers or not. But really, avery good
text for a few reflections on the subject indi-
Gated in the title to this piece, is made in
the words-A"we have no heart to record the
disgusting details. 8 . ..n ,b -
! And why the need Of repeating the eds
gushing detailsna Is it not rather an injury
to do so? What can be morelJ demoralizing
and degrading to the human nature than the
repetition Of such scenes, often in language
none too choice? To us there seems no good
reason for holding up TO the gaze Of the
world scenes and transactions of iniquity and
crime. The human mind, especially the
mind of the youth, is easily influenced by
whatever is thrown in contact with it; it is
truth in the mental, moral and physical
world that like begets Ike where tares are
sown, no man gathers wheat. And in what
way can we surer SOW the seed that of a de-
graded influence, shall take root in the plastic
soul of humanity, and spring up to bear its
woeful harvest of sin and crime, than to pre-
sent to the unfolding and absorbing faculties
the relation of the deeds of those STEPPED in
crime and lost in iniquity Itisundoubted-
Unnecessary in order to promote the efficiency
of the police and detective force Of cities, and
to put citizens on their guard lest similar
deeds should again be transacted, that Grim
inal acts should be published and known
But is it necessary that all the minor details
should be published at large, and commented
upon, by all the newspapers in the land? 1t
is well that there should be Police Gazette
to put crimes on record, that the perpetrators
may more easily be arrested, and the safety
Of the public promoted thereby; but should
not the home and literary journals, that are
read by thousands of minds wherein good or
evil may be implanted to spring up and
thrive; should not these journals seek to in
huence the mind with pure and noble
thoughts and save the youth of the land.
We well recollect, when, few years ago,
two beings--we could scarcely call them men
although they bore the human forln-who
prded themselves not as much on mental
power as on physical strength, resolved to
have a trial Of their brute force, that they
might know which of the two was the strong
er or more skilful, though, to be sure, there
could be but little merit attached to such a
qualification. Well the disgusting trial came
of-one of the combatants was beaten-but
the evil stopped not here, it had scarcely be-
gun, The "details were published in all the
papers; gaudy pictures disgraced the walls of
every rum-shop and hell throughout the land;
and as natural result, harvest of sin was
reaped, Boys, even quite young, thought
of no greater feat than that of initiating these
distinguished pugilists, and on every street
could be seen Juvenile re-enactment of the
great fight. l'-' t'..i +
This is not an isolated picture. 1t is ever
SO with the human mind. Deeds of grand
eur and moral heroism awake the noble fac
uties and holy powers of every soul; but
sceneslof crime surely degrade humanity and
ideaden the moral power of the mind. 80
Vice is monster of so frightful mien, ra
That to be hated needs but to be seen
But seen too oft, familiar with her face
At first we pity, then endure then embrace.
So with the recently transpired Burdell
case. A great crime was committed by him
who did the deed but great as was this, the
murder itself was but the beginning of evil
and woe. For the calm of the ocean of
thought is ruffled by an unnatural wave; the
stiffness of harmony is broken by an unwel-
come sohnd, and the holy music Of the souls
life ceaseth its merry song, and a long time
must elapse ere its melodies awake, for
diseordant note hath overpowered its divinity,
and the soul loseth its strength, for griev-
Gus wound hath it received. Earths echo Of
heavens glories, for time, ceaseth. -