Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-02-26


could not have been done. No one
would then dare to face people indig-
pant at such rapacious greed. Such
influences have led to frauds, defalca-
tons, breaches OF trust. They have
filed our prisons and overwhelmed
many households with shame and
sorrow. Yet the authors of such things
are honorcd for their wealth, and we
ask with eagerness how rich do they
get, and not how do they get riches.
10 make the public feel that criminals
are men of like passions with ourselves
and that crime is an infections as we'll
as maligant disease, that its sources
are not 80 much personal inclination
aa general decentralization, are the
great first steps towards rcform.---
When we feel the disease may enter
our own houses and sieze upon the
mental and moral weakness Of those
we love we are ready TO study its
causes and its workings. We shall
then uphold and honor those men Of
humanity and true craftsmanship who
stady out the cause Of moral stains as
we honor and support those men of
.sn kr oAa..h ant In at..Ir
and hospitals the cause, and cure the
complaint which kills the body. He
who masters tho diagnosis of crime
gains key to the mysteries of our
nature and the secret sources of de-
moralization which opens TO him a
knowledge of the great principles OF
public and private reform-thc true
methods of good administration OF
the laws.
Pauperism and crime have been the
subjects of earnest thought by the
best and wisest men of the world, not
only on account OF their direct inter-
est, but also on account of their re-
lationship to all other matters Of good
government. Neither of them can be
driven out Of existence. They will al.
ways be problems to vcx statesman
ship, but they must always be battled
with. In the social edifce !lay arc
like fires ever kindling in its different
parts which are to be kept undor by
watchfulness and care. If neglected
they burst out into the flames of an
archy and revolution and sweep away
forms of government. Their subjects
must be studied directly and in their
moral aspects. There is a perpading
idea in our country that the spread Of
hnoicledge ,cW check crime. No one
ralues learning more than do, but it is
no specific for immoraiity and rice.--
IVifhout moruf una ivsiyio~o training
II frequently becomes an aid 10 crime
Silence, mechanical skill, a knowledge
of business affairs-even the refine.
ments and accomplishments of life
are used by the offenders against law
Knowledge fights on both sides in the
battle between right and wrong. AT
this age it lays siege to banks. II
forces open vaults stronger than old
castles. 1t forges and counterieits
The most dangerous criminal is the
educated, intellectual violater of the
law, for he has all the resources Of the
art at his com mand-thc forces ol
mechanics, the subtlcty Of chemistry
the knowledge Of mems ways and
passions. Learning by itself only
changes the aspect of immortality
Virtue is frequently found with the
simple and uneducated Surrounded
by glittering objects within their reael
our servant-girls resist more tenPsa
tions than any other class in society
We must look beyond the accidents o.
knowledge or ignorance if we wish tC
learn tho springs of action. To CHECK
vice there must be high moral stand
ards in the public mind. Tho Amcri
can mind must move upon higher
plan. To reform convicts their hopet
must be aroused aud their better in
stncts worked upon. l never 20
found Il man SO uutamable that thcr,
was not something of good upon whicl
to build hope. / never yet found |
man so good that need not fear fall
Through the warp and woof of The
worst mans character there run somC
threads OF gold In the best there ar,
base materials. 1t is this web of en-
twincu gvvu uuo WA :" ''vt's cuarar
! lffN Wliltn uluGkb. lhO DlObiNuio N''
perplcxities of the Legislature an'
Judge, while there is no honest deal
ing with this subject unless the Amer
lean people are charged with thei
share Of guilt, and while Christian
charity leads us to take tho kindcs
view we can Of every man IL does no
follow that crime should DO dealt will
in feeble way. Let the ld,cs be s,cGl
stern, and certain in their action
! What they say let them do, for, GER
TAINTi, more than severity carries
dread of punishment. Let the way o
bringing offenders to justice bo direct
clear, and untrammelled. Tho tech
nicalitics of pleading, proof, ana FRO
ceedinAs in many of our States ar
painfully absurd To the minds o
most mon criminal trial is a mys
.crious jumble. The pubic have N
confidence that tho worst crimina
I will be punished. The worst crimina