The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-10-12
Reform Needed.

An observer of the times cannot be lndlilcr-
cnt to the fact that there is urgent need ol hc-
form in all the relations Of life, moral, social,
and political. While the arts and sciences
have made brilliant progress in every branch,
and reached a degree of approximate periec-
ton, mankind has degeneratcd to a state of al
most semi-barbarism, SO much so, that at the
present day we witness an absence of that no
bleness of nature that characterized our fore
fathers of old. The seeds of corruption are
sown broadcast over the land, finding their
way into high places as well as low, contannn- IN
ating people who once were models OF ciVlil-
zation. Statesmanship is thing OF the past,
and the peers of Webster, Clay, and Calhoun,
exist only in the imagination. Money, seems
to be the God of the American people, and
greedy gain their sole ambition. The patriots
of former days are changed into partisans and
demapogues, and patriotism is no longer hal
lowed principle. -,
Truly sad commentary upon the so-calted
progress of the age.
The moral status of our people stands in BE-
rous need of reformation. Vice in all Its
forms seems in the ascendency, pervading eve
nv section of the country, and reaping rich
harvest. Its votaries are numberless. They
fill positions of trust and responsibility, and
direct the destiny of the American Republic.
They put at defiance the immutable laws of our
Divine Creator, and pursue their wicked ways
in the face of His expressed Will.
Crime is encouraged and winked at by those
whose duty it is to punish it, while its perpe-
traitors are often rewarded for their misdeeds.
Villainies and outrages are daily committed by
those who administer the laws, frauds are
openly practiced, and venality visible IN all
quarters. High positions. once the stepping,
stones to fame and honor, are now subordinated
to vile purposes Of filthy lucre, and made the
avenues to miserly wealth.
The sacred gifts of the people are viewed
only from a pecuniary standpoint and are
bartered for like piece of merchandise. Dis
tinction in the field of politics has money
value put upon it, and knocked down TO the
highest bidder like goods under an auctioneer 3
hammer. True fame, alas is thus swept away
by the progress of civilization and its follow
ers converted to the worship of Mammon.
Having thus shown our condition TO be de-
plorable in the extreme, will any one deny the
absolute necessity for a speedy reformation
The question naturally suggests itself, what
is the remedy ior all the ills We suffer, or from
what source is relief to come? We answer a
change must come over this people. Their
destiny is in their own hands to work out, and
if they shrink from the task, upon their heads
must fall the dreadful consequences. They
must shake off the lethargy that seems to weigh
them down, and rise to the dignity OF true
manhood They must awake to the real con,
dtion of the country, and lend helping hand
in bursting asunder the shacklcs that despotisnl
and tyranny has bound around them. Vice
and its corrupting influences must be attacked
and thoroughly uprootcd. Crime of every
character must be exposed and brought to
swift punishment, and the fathlcss servants o
the people held to q strict accountability -. iol
the betrayal of the trusts reposed in them Vir
tue must be fostcrcd and protected, and tho
love of God fill the hearts of all men.
When all these things arc done, then may
we witness the dawn Of prosperity and happll
ness throughout the entire breadth OF the iand
and the work of reformation fully accom-
ulishcd.-farfcM Ueratd.