Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-08-14
Tor lie Essex County Herald.
The Cause of Social Evils.

The Cause of Social Evils.
o The population, the knowledge, and the
wealth of the United States have incroas-
ed i'm a very great and astonishing degree
within the last half century-and com
pared to the state OF the country before
the Revolution, the difference win appear
still greater. But tits an important ques-
ton whether we are much more virtuous,
orderly, and happy than at the former
periods; and if the people are not i'm
proved, rs might have been expected, or
in proportion to their privileges, it is in
teresting to inquire,-Whata are the causes
of failure? What are hindrances to pub
ic and private virtues? Disorders and
crimes might, perhaps, have been expect
ed to be more frequent or more numer-
Gus, with a population of forty millions,
than with three, if no means were used to
prevent them. But with mild laws, full
measure of freedom, and liberal means
for disseminating useful knowledge, it
was predicted that we should continue a
sober, peaceable, and virtuous people,
notwithstanding the great increase of
numbers. History, however, does not
fully confirm the favorable predictions of
emigrants into this country from foreign
nations. No doubt this is one cause, or
may justly be referred to, as accounting
in part, for our disappointment of the
propitious social results expected. But
we fear there is some error or defect in
the education of the young. We speak
not Of the literary part of education, but
ofmorals; and it seems as if there was a
great defect as to parental instruction,
government, and example, as to teaching
social and relative duties, and as to the
necessity, subordination, and reverence
for laws duly and deliberately enacted.
Family discipline and instruction, we
fear, are now far less regarded by parents
than formerly. But here the education
must begin. There must be government,
submission, order, and good feelings at
home, or we shall expect them in vain il
society. The young must obey, listen to-
and be sustained by their parents; and
must learn that the middle-aged, and the
still more advanced in life, have expert
ence and practical knowledge, which en-.
titles them to advise, to control, and tC
direct. But now young men and women
of twenty think they know more and bet.
I ter than their parents, and undertake &c
older and much wiser than themselves
This is great error, and should be cor.
rected.
1t is not uncommon to find quite young
men who assume to know more of the
nature and design of civil government, OF
the social duties, and of the great princi,
pies of constitutional liberty than men OF
fifty or sixty, who know fully from obser.
walton the bearings and tendency, as well
as the direct effect of the laws, the meas.
ure Of liberty the people will bear, and
the necessity of fair and impartial adj
ministration of government founded by
the majority, after cool and deliberate
examination. There is no short and safe
road to justice, other than that painted
out by the constitution and the laws.
Summary proceedings by Il party, or a
mob, and setting aside the usual forms OF
law, are always dangerous, and usually
unjust and cruel. Suspicion is the in
| former, and prejudice and passion are the
judges and jurors. The innocent are LA
bic to suffer The first violators of law
and peace, may soon become the victims
Of lawless violence; and often, it would
seem, Owe speak with reverence, the ret
ribution of Heaven are speedily awarded
to the authors ofviolence and of reckless
vengeance towards others. With every
good citizen and true patriot, it is time
for deep reflection as to a remedy or a
preventive of such evils. J.B