The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1865-08-16
Increase Of Crime.

/ AAO OfDSC VI tnC W NJ oCOulo W udfC uoh
cred in, all over the country, a carnival ot
murder, robbery and all the degrees of law
Iessness and crime Mnrderers, thieves
and assassns infest our communities 10 an
extent that threatens 10 disorgsnize society,
unless the machinery OF justice be strength
Aped TO meet the emergency. The people
have lived under condition of intense ex-
element during the past four years, aud
have been made familiar with the recital of
deeds of violence and bIoodshed: and per-
; hsps they do not realize the appalling ma
ture of the criminal record that nRugurates
the reign of peace. But when il is considered
that the police returns exhibit statement
Of twenty thousand arrests made within the
pasl three months in this CRY alone, and
when the public journals, day after day.
recount the swelling list OF offences against
the persons and property of citizens, tis
impossible 10 avoid the conclusion that The
moral atmosphere has been tainted with
fresh elements of poison.
Various explanations are offered of Ibis
astounding Increase Of crime. Some sssert
thar il is owing TO the disbandmeni of the
great armies of The North and South, abrupt
Iy transferring wild and reckless characters
from The camp TO civil life. Many OF the
soldiers engaged in The late struggle were
men of respectable auiecedents, generally
honest and industrious members OF the
working class. But il is not to be denied
that the Federal ranks were partly recruited
from the refuse of foreign populations and
numbered thousands of adyenturers, despe-
radoes, Gu, purses and cut-throais from The
Old World. Toward The close of the war
the chief inceniive 10 enlistment was mon
ey, and the enormous bouniies paid attract
ed the TBeFcenary spirits of the world TO the
Federal standard 4 new brauch of vilaiIiy
was creatsd by this circumstance and
bounty brokerage and bounty jumping be-
came profession that was pursued with
men now find their occupation gone. When
their trade was lively they made great gains
and became habiluaied to a costly and lux
uri Us existence. Such fellows will keep
up their routine OF life a. ali hazards Honest
labor of course, is OFT of The question; and
6'.ding the fountain OF their profits suddenly
Sc aed, they do no: scrupIe TO enter other
channels of professional knavery.
These men we are con6denr, are the gar
rollers, The burglars, The reckless ruffius that
are infesiing the neghorhood Of our great
cities. For the most part, the returniDg SOL
diers, those, " mean, who enlisted to fight
and not to Jump the bounty, are quietly re-
sum:ng the avocations Of peaceful life
There is no trouble 10 be apprehended from
a soldier that has done his dRy in The field;
but from the skulkers, the bounty jun pers
and the bounty brokers. there is more
10 be provided against than, per
haps, our quiet, law-abiding citizens are
aware Of
Our communities must be protected
agains: these desperadoes, and, i: the mia
listers Of justice are noi equal to the task,
then lel the natural laws of self protection
prevail. Let it be understood here, that
law and order is to prevail, and it will noi
be difficult 10 awe the evil disposed inio
good behavior. The people have burdens
enough 10 bear. as consequences OF civil
strife, without putting up with the oulrages
Of gangs of scoundrels who probably have
been taught 10 believe, by their experience
thus far that the civil law in this country
has been canceIed.-Nsv York News