The weekly Shasta courier. [volume] (Shasta, Calif.) 1872-190?, 1873-04-05
Loose Liberality.

We clip the following from The Nation.
These pungent remarks were made concern
ing the Credit Mobilier affair, but they are
very timely when considered in reference to
criminals of any kind, no matter what may
be our opinions of any person concerned in
the recent investigation.
There were scenes and incidents in the
debate too, which illustrated most power
fully the depth of the prevailing demorallza-
ton, and which explained pretty clearly how
it is that the investigation has ended In
nothing. Every step in the proceedings re-
vealed clearly that widespread reluctance to
punish anybody, or to apply to the vices of
anybody in particular the disapprobation
which we, in our books and sermons, infict
on vice in the abstract, of which we spoke a
few weeks ago on commenting on the failure
of the Bar Association in its pursuit of the
Erie counsel There was world of mean
ing in the spectacle presented by Cakes
Ames sitting bathed in tears, with big
bouquet of flowers in front Of him, in the
character of national hero prosecuted by
an ungrateful country, like the well-known
Christopher Columbus, while Mr.. Benjamin
F. Butler, who is rather proud Of being a
rascal, and boasts of his freedom from such
encumbrances as conscience or honor, stood
manfully forward, not in defense only, but
in gloriication of him-Butler himself being
clearly the leading man in the assemblage,
defiant, courageous, imperious, the cynosure
of all eyes, fresh from having instructed the
House in its duty as guardian of the nation
al honor, in the distribution ofthe Alabama
fund. The attitude of the rest of the body
was not less instructive. There were no
signs whatever OF shame. or indignation, or
of any other emotion with noble side to it.
The whole debate reminded one of the eff
forts of herd of sheep to find an opening
in fence through which they might escape
barking dog-the same gcurryiDg to and
fro, aud the same franctic eagerness in front
of all acknowledging holes. One little
motion, amendment, and point of order fol-
lowed the other, the sharp, ingenious fellows
carrying off the honors of the day, until the
desired aperture was discovered, after which
they seem to have wiped their brows and
breathed freely The House, in short, show
ed the very prevalent dread of persons who
have committed crimes and offenses. Nor
al courage seems to be rapidly becoming
the peculiar possession of people who have
no morality Honest men hang their heads
in the presence of a rascal. They try him
with great reluctance, pass sentence on him
with groans and sobs, and then beg of him
for Gods sake to run away and leave them
to their business ard when he refuses to
run, and proceeds to slap their faces, they
are profoundly impressed by his pluck
think he must have good in him after all
and, remembering his mother and sisters,
and his early attendance at the Sunday
school, weep on his breast, and subscribe to
set him up in business. The result is that
criminals begin to have hearty contempt
for us, and, far from repenting them of their
crimes, are daily cursing their moderation
in not stripping us more thoroughly. Their
view Of society begins to resemble that OF
the pickpocket's, who took gentleman
watch and purse in broad daylight two or
three years ago, on the platform Of Fourth
Avenue car, and, when he demonstrated
kicked him off and laughed at him as he ran
after them penniless on foot.