The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-03-17

svcr calis iteeit society there, Afe undoubt-
edly unparalleled on this continent elsewhere.
A great number OF men. from different parts
OF the country, most Of them with no strong
or controlling sense Of moral obligstieus or
religious responsibilities, without even the
ordinary social and family ties which else
where surround them to put restraint upon
their conduct while there, are convened each
session by tho meeting Of Congress. With
them comes also great numbers Of meu who
live by their wits. a political managers, a
spectators Interested 10 government con.
tracts, as lobby agents, petitioners for Con
grcss'onal iavors. who find II for their inter
esl, ~ II is In addition for the qualification
OF their own depraved sppctitcs. to minister
10 the passions and lusts OF thosc by whose
favor they live. Meantime there 10 no par.
amount and permanent public sentiment to
put its cons,rant upon the action Of any
one. Such y thing Is indeed an impcwi.
bility IN city whose population IL sggrc.
gated 80 loosely, and hold together for 20
short time and, therefore, ~ long N mon
keep within the palpable limits Of the law,
or do not grossly and outrageously overstep
these. they may do pretty much what they
will
Gambling houses, drinking saloons, and
manifold filthy or fashionable resorts of
licentisus indulgence. are therefore unver.
sally understood and admitted To oxis, At
Washington. The hotels are trequsn,ed,
the winter through, by male aud female nd.
ventnrers aud sharpers, from all parts Of the
country; and more absolute mixing up
Of maidsny women and courtesans, OF de.
cent nen and Prolligaie seAinps, Of every
degree, and under every outward disguise,
can hardly bc imagined than il presented
on almost any day In tho dining or supper
rooms Of one or those great and crowded
caravansaries. The very atmosphere, too,
full Of political excitement. Of party in.
trigues, Of schemes br plumber. of manTu.
wiring and diplomacy, IN which these swarms
Of people live---the ramor that are starting
around thom all the time Of this or that sue
cessial stroke on tho part Of some prcxideu-
tial asplrant, OF this or that combination or
stratagem, which is destined To affect the
next election most scriously--all this ab.
sorption or stimulation Of tho mind by mere
political interests. and by successful or un.
successful management and chicane, tends
directly aud powerfully to loosencss Of mo.
rails, The social state Of town cannot but
be excessively unhealthy where commcres
or useful industry hardly exists. al least
among the influential classes AID where, at
u fashionable "soircc or reception" q
young bride fresh from tho country may vi
next woman blazing with jewels, who has
the reputation OF having been the Aspssis
to mere than one popular Pericles or
where u man Of tastes a. yet un,utored 10
wickednoss least in liz grosser and more
defiant iorms--is cngirt by circle Of gen.
tocl scoundrels. some Of them 10 Congress
aud more OF them out Of II, who know how
10 utter the vilcst sentiments In forms the
most sngary, and who do tho very vilcst
deeds with an easy sparkle and dash Of
manner that makes them look lik innocent
recreation.
II is not at all surprising that amid such
q social state IN this, 81 constituted and NJ
characterized, even such an outrage IN that
committed by Brooks upoT sumner. for cx-
ample, should have PASSED comparatively
without reprobation and II 10 not in the
least degree surprising that such tragedies
m that which IL briefly chronicled 10 our
columns this wek and Of which our read.
ers will doubtless have read elsewhere more
detailed accounts should occasionally occur.
Similar occasions 10 that which brought
about the sudden and bloody death OF Key,
do undoubtedly not unfroquently arise, and
though 10 large majority OF CASES those
who are specially touched by these, for the
sake Of MI the interests involved. Of family.
reputation. pride, tho future, sex other more
silent forms Of redress there will be cases
whsn only the utter aud instant destruction
Of the life Of the betrayer will satisfy the fu.
rious thirst FOE vengeance. We do not JUS
tily Mr.. Sickes In his act. II was simply
. summary. saDguiDary, relentless street
murder, committed Of course under greatest
possible provocation. lie has made him.
self obnoxious 10 the laws Of the country, TO
the Judgment Of bis eountrymen, 10 the
searching and terrific inquisition Of biz con.
science, which can never shake OF or really
wipe out this stain Of blood shove al, 10
God. whose judgment draws higher every
hour.
But whils We syeak thus Of him, the slsy.
or, wo have n Icssoe OF sdnonition 10 draw,
hardly one Of regret, from the death Of the
slain. n man Of the age and position Of
Mr.. Key. with children around him. and the
memory Of their decreased mother TO dstain
him, certainly, one would think, from such
forms Of sio--if he uss his powers, and
avails himself Of the opportunities afforded
by the unsnspicious friendship Of another, 10
carry the blight and contamination Of lust
into u household otherwise happy-snd then.
W il IL said, evea boasts Of his success 10 the
criminal smour-be ought TO expect 70 be
shot like dog whenever he ia discovered.
It is well ior such polished scoundrsls TO IN
dcrstasd that sudden bullet through their
brains may be the barrier 10 further pur-
suit Of such genteel but daInning crime.
The old fashion was, for man whose family
had BEEN invaded In this way. 10 "call out "
the trait0rous debanchee who had injured
him. and expose himself 10 the Others bullet.
We have nothing IN say 10 favor Of the