Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1857-07-28
Iaulessncs. OF the Age.

We are glad TO that the press, generally.
has directed its attention t. this subject. aud is
seeking TO create a healthier public sentiment
in regard 10 the duties We owe to society citi
zens of free Republic. Bu, the press. power
full as il is, is incompetent OF itself I" correct the
evil. The pulpit should come to its assistance
for this is one Of the evils to which it should be
the especial duty of the clergy TO direot atten
ton. Certainly. aothing is better calculated TO
impae. and finally break down, The cause of NOR
atty and religion, than the growing disregard of
law and contempt of its authority, aud the gen
eral reokiessness, which seem TO pervade the
popular masses in different portions of the coun-
try.
1t is. at least a favorable sign that the danger
is appreciated. But it will be admitted by all
that the difficulty of checking the evil grows a
pace with each succeeding year. Wha, will be
the result-what the destiny OK eur country will
be, If we continue thus from year 10 year,
have no heart 10 contemplate
The Petersburg ln,eliigeneer discusses the
subject IN the following appropriate, foTcib!e and
well.tined remarks:
1t cannot have escaped the attention Of ohscrvAnt
minds that spirit of lawlessness ard turbulence has
made fearful progress in this country ia the last few
years. Social disorder aHd tumult contempt for
ibority and general rebellion against the restraints
imposed by law morsliiy and sound sentiment have
become well nigh the characteristics of the age
Net only has individual crime largely Increased IN
enormity well as ia amount. but combinations 10
resist law and sci at defiance the constituted agencies
tor the government OF society and the protection of
the lives the property and the rights Of the people
have assumed audacity and multiplied with fire.
quency never before known in the country. From the
reasonable conspiracy in Kansas regulating the au
thory oftbe Federal government and the rebellion in
California oyerthrowing the sovereignty ofthe State
down to the anrated meb, executing the sudden and
terrible vengeance OF Lynch Law upon some horse
thief or house burner have almost daily accounts
Of scenes ofvoenoe and lawiessness that would shame
the most ignorant aud bsrbaroas nation 1t is pain
fully eTdent that for authority regard for
the usages and obligations of well ordered society and
veneraton for the rad,onary institutions that have
so long afforded US peace and protection have dmin-
ished and that radicahsm insubordination, and the
rule ofbrute force are 'rampiing on the perogatvcs
OF the courts and thrlstng aside the agencies of
civilization Us the experiment OF sefgovernment
about TO prove failureY For the first time since
the foundation Of the government IL has come To pass
that our standing army is insufficient for the enforce
ment federal authority, and the preservation OF civ
ii order The troops that under orders Tor Utah
where their presence is imperaliyely demanded,
recalled 10 meet more imminent eXigency in Kan
sas. The settlers of the Frontiers have to be exposed
10 the mercess violenccs of the sayages, that our
own people may be aw into submission to govern
ment. Within the last two three months, for the
first time the aid OF the federal authority has been asked
that citizens mightbe projected IN their right of SUIT
rageand that under tue very shadow of the capitol
Are the natural passions OF man incapable of being
restrained under a Democratic form ofgovernment-
and are the predictions Of those who have oretod the
final engulfment Of ourinsttuious in the whirlpool
of anarchy and insubordt 10 70 be renli2ed2 New
er, certainly have b. to fear this Ia
mentabe conclusion history than at
present The n. Orlef attention has been
directed to the aarm.Jg IS of the times. gives
its opinion Of the causes that have combined to pro-
duce the deplorable tendency Of events Concurriug
in its views and lacking space at present to advert to
other causes that we think have lent nalign force
to the result we adopt its conclusions il
says amongst then is the preclisitv to radicalism-
Dissatisfied with IN, boun sha of horty uvor
ded to ever, citizen demagorues have successfully
sought to render the of still moro accountable h,
gradually stripping il of nearly every curb md
eheck.-First. one sound principle, and then another
mas peen ooterated or declared obsolete one OF the
have more or less parcpitated has been the virtual
annihaaion ofjudical independence, by subecting
JIugss 10 ,he caprice OF popular elections, ana
feet Of this rasica' soleeism IN Government o has
been to dabbie the judicial ermine in the
muck ana mire OF politics. to poiute the
break down NV dsarses ,he aNI
ges, by compelling them SO to shape their course as
70 WIN the favor OF the multitude In this general
ism into demnoras hpnaroaa 70
wisely and properly conhded to the discretion of the
Chlei Magistrate or the Legislature are now made
demagogism has been p ,b % a,
thousands, who stoop to low and vulgar iattery aud