The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1873-02-21

nag NOT produced one atom OF ef-
feet, and it is a fact that to-day the
first cry for war or revenge usually
comes from the pulpit. Investiga-
ton has shown that the condition
of mankind has been ameliorated
by the labors of those whom the
church are most ready to number
among its enemies.
Governments are being investI-
gated, and they are found to be
filled with the very ulcers of cor
ruption. If their people are pros
porous they are so, not by the aid
but in spite of the government
Wars are found to have been the eff.
feet not of some great principle out.
ragged, as is usually claimed, but
that some personal spite between
individuals ia to be gratified. In
vestigation has shown that when
the matter of dispute is between ma
lions only, courts, not wars, are
fully competent to decide. Institn-
tions of all sorts are being investi-
gated, and the result is that wrong,
almost without limit, is being IN
earthed. Men who have passed for
demigods are found, upon investi.
gallon, 10 be little beyond ell COM
pare.
Pope, by investigation, falls
from the high pinnacle of a great
poet, and becomes the mean pilferer
who pocketed the lions share, while
the poor "dig" who did his work,
scarcely could keep himself from
starvation with the sum allowed
him.
Fulton, according to recent inves-
tigation, did not invent the steam.
boat, but as an object of charity was
sent from Paris to work out the
idea of his employer.
Morse, so says investigation, did
neither construct nor operate the
first telegraph.
Investigation proves to us that
William Tell only existed in the po-
cts brain, and that Pocahontas was
a myth, and that Captain John
Smith, the party supposed to be
most interested in her, never heard
of her. In short, this same stern
spirit of investigation is laying its
profsne hands upon the ancient and
the modern, the sacred and the pro-
fame alike, and bids fair to unearth
many an old lie. True, tits little
hard to have all our faith IN our
earlier beliefs shaken, but when
convinced of their untruth we ought
to be glad to lay them aside.
Many will sigh to give mp their idea
OF those streets of "pure gold )" yet
we fear that John was drawing
heavy drafts on the bank of his i'm
agination when he told the story.
At all events, facts and figures do
not sustain him, and besides, inves-
tigation shows that he is not very
generally believed, for if he were,
q great many more people whom
whe know would be striving to get
there for the sake of chipping of a
chunk or two of the big, precious
stones he describes.
But the question arises, will good
come of all this investigation ?
From the signs of the times We
think we can see good in it all.
Religion is laying aside some of
her dogmas, and others are about
ready to follow of themselves. Gov
are becoming more and
more open to the investigation of
the governed. Old fables are giving
place to facts, and there is a general
upon the part of each to
lock more carefully into his own
actions.
We say, investigate, then, to its
whatever has the least faint
of evil in its nature. Let no feeling
for old forms or usages,
no feeling of personal friendship
hinder a full and open investiga-
ton, and if guilt be found, or wrong
be unearthed, send the news abroad
as . warning to all the world. Bet
ter crush one scoundrel than that
The innocent should suffer in the
least. We care not whether it be
or state, or school, or per-
son, let the spirit of investigation
hat is abroad in the land, have full
Ingress and egress. Let there be no
of crime, sin or pecadillo,
but let everlasting and self-sustain-
ing truth hover over and protect the
people from error of every descrip-
ion.