Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-11-23
The Power of the People to Sup.
press EVIL.

All eyes are attracted toward the strug-
gle for reform in New York city. For q
long time men were skeptical of any good
results for the wrong condition of things
was we'll known long ago, and many flu
tile attempts have been made to remedy
it. But it has become evident now, the
moral sense of the people is aroused, and
it has found itself to possess more force
than was suspected. The great meeting
at Cooper Institute-the Committee OF
Seyenty-the conversion to reform OF
many of the leaders of that party which
will suffer most in the necessary exposure
these could be, and still the movement
not succeed, for things like these have oc
Cured before without noticeable results.
But when the test came to the people and
men endured the annoyance and possible
danger Of voting-men who have habitu-
ally remained away from the polls, and
thus manifested their personal interest in
the natter, the question was felt to be
practically decided. No surer evidence
of the way in which this popular express
sion against corruption was viewed can
be found than the resignation the very
next day of the shrewdest man CT the
"Ring." That his resignation was ante
dated only increased the value of the
evidence. The moral sense of the people
has found expression, and it is acknowl,
edged az decisive of the question. The
remaining details are only matter OF
time.
These same scenes are being enacted in
other places. The apparent ease and
safety with which the commercial me-
tropolis was robbed, has led to the for
nation Of similar combinations for rob
berry in other cities, and they have at
tanned more or less prominence and sue
cess. But the example of the people Ii
still more contagious, and it is proving
to be very bad season for rings.
One thing, it may be we'll worth motto
ing. An important truth is being re-ut
tered. The people are the arbiters o
their own fate, 1t is idle to waste ou'
breath in abusing our rulers. They are
lust what we make them. Ii there il
taste of garlic in the cream and butter
it is because it was in the milk. The ris
ing to the surface in New York, of the
men who are a disgrace to our civiliza
ton reveals the condition of the society
out of which they came. Taking then
as embodiments Of morals, they are flint
exponent of the morals of the day. Thi
Is no new truth. 1t ia as old as human
society.
1t is not meant by this that a ms(orit,
OF the citizens of New York, or of thu
people of the nation, are thieves, bul it il
meant what il almost as bad, that ma
lority of the American people have no
felt called upon to condemn thieving. Th'
law makes a distinction between the mar
who breaks into his neighbours house ant
the man who sees it done and yet doe
not call for the police. But it is very I'm
certain if there Is much difference in thu
eye of justice. To knowingly permi
wrong, puts one very nearly in the grad'
Of the actual wrong doer. 1t is for Thu
sin that the people of New York and o
the whole country are being punished
That Nemesis who watches that no wroD.
may go UNPUBLISHED has awarded tn
same punishment to him who cover
wrong as to him who sins.
The sooner this truth is accepted tn
better for all our communities. Their
will be found men everywhere who will
20 as far in vice as they are permitted tt
90. 1t is only necessary for the people t.
sit still and be silent to have as mucl
wrong as our society possess, come to tn
surface. While we are suffering evil
which exist evidently because of our neg
lect, it becomes US to inquire If our suffer
ing is not a just punishment and if it doe
not contain therefore suggestion full o
the deepest importance to ourselves pei
sonally.