, 1870-05-30

II the Editor Of the Chicago 1rf5t.ne:
In lthe supplement to one Of tho Sunday
7'1dunes, which, bJ the by, always contain
choice and valuable selection of reading, you
publish, under the title Of 'Thoyes' Litera-
ture in England & very Significant article,
showing the powerful influence that il being
exercised over tho minds Of the young by in
j,lrious and immoral literature.
America, claiming to bo tho advance guard
Of civilization and enlightenment, and being
!ruly such in many respects, is still impeded
and weakened in her onward path Of glory by
the demoralzipg effects OF the frivolous cheap,
Ind immoral productions Of degenerate or mis-
guided minds, which, in the form of light
and attractive literature, ato scattered copious-
" over our vast territory Gongh, rescued
from the destroying influences Of rum, and
irought to zee the vast ruin 1t Is constantly
and With his gifted intellect portrayB, year
after year, By startling illustrations, the evils
IT intemperence. Thousands Of others Join
the cry against the enormous sale and con
sumption Of Intoxicating beverages. soc1edos
Ind political organizations even are formed
cure tho assistance Of stringent laws,
thus % strange temPtstion offered aP1y for SELF aelf.
destruction. In attempting to crush out this
eSI, however, let ns not overlook far greater
agent Of decentralization that is stea1thily and
mind4, hearts, aud souls Of the millions al
around uB, undermining virtue, social order,
civilization, and good government, and turn
ing the light Of nature and Of purity Tito tor
rib1e dntkneas and abomination- By project
Ing the minds Of the people from continual
contact with passionate, e1citable and demon
,lixing illustrations and descriptions tending
70 tan cotr13rfinr thor1f4fc sill Fo
far lees inclination on their part to walIow in
the mire Of intemperanee and debauchery.
strike down or cure the cause, and the affect
will cease.
Has Section 12a Of the criminal code Of the
statutes OF Illinois been repealed, or las its
'ong non-inforcement caused it to become
obsolete? Or is it 80 limited in its meaning
as not to reach the great mass Of indecent
publications "H any person shall hereat-
ter bring, or cause to be brought or imported
into this state for sale. or shall sell Or of1er TO
eel any pack Of cards, &c. &C., OF any OBJ
Ecene book, pamphlet or print, every such
person shall DO fined in . sum not less leaa
fifty dollars
II it is considered an expedient enterprise
to attempt, by means Of societies and political
organizations, to stop the sale Of poison
GUS drinks, why will it not be Just a.
proper, and far mora benevolent violent
in rclation to the sale Of poisonous literature,
which destroys tho moral strength Of the mind
leaving it exposed to the degrading influences
surrounding it. The formation Of such soe'e.
ties is eydenty practical sna i ies Ind
gentlemen, they can be the means Of cleansing
lha great bulk Of literature daily offered for
sale throughout the country: Obtaining tho
cooperation Of those powerful allies, the press
and The lAw, they can conquer the evil in the
end, and ehectuAlly stop the publication OF oo'
.ions that now tend to coata.ninAte the aSs.
The writer would be glAd to hear from those
agEeeing with him On fhia subject, md VII
1ilinglJ join IN any suitable plan Of operation
RAkrox A. UI11oH.