American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-07-19

again undertake to vent your spleen up
on the Provost Marshal and his % Paltry
officials inform yourself as to the truth
of your assertions
s--.SD--eks
LaWlCssness and TsOwdyism.
The conduct of certain young men and
a large number of boys in the borough of
Butler, is disgraceful in the extreme
We have taken the liberty to speak of
this subject ON several occasions, in hopes
that yolulg men especially, would refrain
from conduct that is low, grovelling and
vulgar the committal of which is far be-
meath the character of any person, young
or old who claims the least degree Of res
pectability, and would make, even, hea-
hens blush for shame, The truth is
patent, that there is a degree of lawless-
ness, rowdyism and malicious mischief
practisod and porpetrated in the borough
Of Butler, disgraceful to any community,
and argues very strongly in favor of any,
thing else but law and order. The often
ders are the sons and apprentices Of those
who would like to be considered respec-
table and moral citizens, aDd yet, they so
far forget their duty to themselves and
their ncighbors as to permit their boys
to roam about in idleness during the day,
and promenade the streets and lounge
in and about Restaurants and Drinking
Houses until late hour at night, and
then, vainly hope that they will be
good, intelligent and respectable AS
well might they expect the brightness of
day without the rays of the sun. That
"evil communications corrupt good man
ners," is just as true now, as when the
words we're first uttered
The spirit of lawlessness and malicious
mischief is carried on to such an extent
that there is nothing too sacred or yalua-
bic unless under lock and kee, that is free
from injury, damage or appropriation
Out buildings Of the most prjcdte chorGc-
tcr-no difference at what cost erected
are wrested from their appropriate places,
and stuck up in the most public and con-
spicuous places on the main street, and
the signs of pcaceable citizens and busi-
ness men, torn from their proper places,
and suspended upon these private bull
dings. This may be sport to the vul-
gar, indecent and profane, but it certainly
is very mortifying to the intelligent, law
abiding and moral citizen. t,
Fruit and garden vegetables are not
permitted to mature, no difference what
labor aud expense have been bestowed
upon the same, they too must be appro-
priated to the qualification of these young
loafers. In passing along the back streets
aud alleys, they can be seen singly and in
groups, reaching through the palings and
fences, and those who have become bold
in their depredations can be seen inside
Of Enclosures clubbing apple trees and
gormandizing the spoils, as they suppose,
thus clandestinely obtained. In fact,
there is nothing upon which they can lay
their hands, let it be ever 50 valuable. but
must either be destroyed or used to graft
fy that spirit of malicious mischief which
is so prevalent in our midst.
We have been credibly informed that
some of these youngsters, have taken
the valuable and costly books Of lawyers
and others from their Offices and libra
ries, torn the backs off them, and then
sold the books to store. keepers for wrap
ping paper.
In civilized communities, this would
be treated as stealing. There is certainly
"screw loose" some where Parental
rule, civil aud criminal law have with
some, become nullities, and young
America" is permitted to have full SCOPE
and run hcad-long to ruin and perdition.
We sincerely hope that there will be a
marked and decided reformation in the
proper direction. That parents and guar
dians will awake to interest and duty
use their influence and authority for the
permanent correction of these evils. If
we would do our duty to ourselves and to
the rising generation, we must attend to
these matters now; if we fail-with US
will be the responsibility. As profess
ing Christians and law-abiding citizens,
we cannot safely neglect so important a
trust as is committed to our hands.