The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-09-12
TEMPoRA MUTANTUR.


The following fne piece OF satireworthy Of classic
days-appeared in the New York Nation with the
signature ~. R L-doubtless from tho author Of the
famous Biglow Pspers," James Russell Lowell.
The world turns mild; democracy. they say,
Rounds the sharp knobs Of character away;
And no great HARM unless at grave expense
OF what needs edge Of proof, She moral sense;
For man or race Is on the downward path ~
Whose hbre grove too soft for honest wrath
And ,here's subtle influence that springs ~
From words to modify sense Of things. -
plain distinction is obscured of late:
Mem. II they will, may pardon, but tho State
Forgets its function. IL not hxed as Fate.
So thought our aires, q hundred years ago.
II mon were knaves. why, people called them 80,
And.crime could zee the prison portal bend
It's brow severe at no long vista's end;
In those days for plain things plain words would serve
Men had not learned to admire the graceful swerve
Wherewith the Esthstic Natures genial mood
Makes public duty slope to private good;
No muddled conscience raised the saving doubts
colder proved unworthy was drummed out,
An officer cashiered, civil servant.
(No matter though his piety were fervept
DIsgracefuliy dismissed, and through the land
Each bore for life stigma from tho brand,
Whose Far heard hiss made others more adverse
| To take the iaciie step from bad to worse
The Ten Commandments bad o meaning then :,
Felt in their bones BY least confederate men.
Because bshind them PRblic Consc5onoe stood,
And without wincing made their mandates good.
But now that Ststesmanship Is just way
To dodge the primal curse and make IL pays
| Since Once means Q kind Of patent drill
| To force entrance to the Eation's till,
/ And peculation something rather less
| Riaky than If you spelt 1t with ans;
| Now that to steal by law has grown art,
Whom rogues the sires their milder sons call smart,
And slightly irregular " dilutea the shame
| OF what had once q somewhat bunter name;
| 1ravv fhaV lima.
OUr Swindiers are permitted to resign;
Their guilt lie wrapped in deferential names,
And twenty sympathize for that blames.
Add national disgrace to private CRIME,
| Confront mankind with brazen front sublime,
| Steal but enough, the world is uusevere,-
| Tweed 60 statesman. Fisk fnancier.
| Invent mine and be-the Lord knows what,
Secure. at any rate, with what you've got.
| The public servant who has stolen or lied.
| If called on, may resign with honest pride:
AS unjust favor put him in, why doubt
Disfayor as unjust has turned him out
| Even II indicted, what is that but fudge
To him who counted in the elective judgel
whitewashed he quits the politicians strife
At ease in mind, with pockets filed for life:
His lady gTares with gems whose Vulgar blsse
The poor man through hts heightened taxes pays.
Himself content If one huge KohinOor
Bulge from . shirt. front ampler than before
But not too candid lest iS haply tend
To rouse suspicion Of the Peoples Friend;
A public meeting. treated at his cost.
Resolves him back virtnO than he LOST
With character reGilt, he counts his gAinsi
What's gone air the sohd gold rernans
Il For what = good except what friend and foo
Seem both unanimous In thinking 90,
The stocks and bonds which in cur age Of loans
4 Replace tho stupid psgAns stocks and stonesI
With ohOksr white, wherein 10 cypic eye
DareO idealIsed hempsn tie,
At parish meetings he conducts in prayer, s
Al, En,I H. ala vhNWo.
On Change respected to his friends endeAred,
Add but . Sunday school olAss; he's revered,
And his too early tomb viii not be dumb -
To point o moral for outh TO come