The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1876-03-14
The Crime OF society.
From ll.e Chicago Tribune.

From il.e Chicago Tribune.
plicating Cen. W. W. Belknap. Sscre-
isry Of War, and his wife in . system
Of bribes and blackmail, till not fail
to produce the most painful feeling
throughout the whole nation. Gen.
Belknap vas regarded by the cozntry
as one of the pnrest men ever employ
ed in the public service. As a soldier
he won a most eminent distinction, not
only for his skill aud success as sn on.
Ger, but for his remarkable personal
bravery aud his high personal integri-
~. He was lawyer by profession,
but was never professional politician.
He was selected for the wac depart
ment because of eminent fitness for the
special duties OF the Office. or all the
men in Office, suspicion OF corruption
wouid in the least attach to him.
There is "A moral and lesson in this
terrible fall which may be and should
be taken home to the hearthstonc OF
every family. The cause Of this wreck
is domestic extravagance; fashionable
recklessness of expenditure and rivalry
in social display. The sudden scqui-
sition of wealth so cannon of late
pears has bad most demoraliziug ef-
feet upon American society. Lsbor
and Industry, aud we may add homes
w. have lost caste. and the possession
of wealth, no matter how obtained.
has become the badge of social rank
and the passport to every circle. 1t
has in measure superseded in social
estimation personal integrity, personal
intelligence, and personal accomplish
ment. When men having no other
commendntion than wealth notoriously
acquired by the plumber OF the public,
the appropriation Of public money, or
by frauds on the revenue, are admitted
to the highest official and social cir
cles, who can be surprised at the Grim
al consequences extending through al
official and business walks of life.
The elevation OF wealth to the high
est social rank has, OF course. introduc-
ed wild extravagsnos in domestic ex-
penditure. IL has made display, for
displays sake, part OF eur daily life.
We all spend our honest income. and
yearn, al unsatisfied, for more. There
IL natural but none the less dsmoral-
izing ambition to equal othsrs in dis
play, especially in the waste OF dress
ing, entertainments, and general do
nestle expenditure. For years the ex-
travagance OF fashionable ife has been
become moro and more reckless, from
the owner OF millions down TO the man
who lives on daily wages. Each has
been attempting to equal the next
above him in display and expenditure.
| This corrupting influence has pervad-
ell fashionable and social life as we'll in
the rural hamlets as the large cities.
But nowhere has this fatal practics
been more balsful 10 its effects than in
Washington. The rivalry OF diamonds,
of velvets. laces, satins and silks, has
been destructive alike TO morals and in
tegrity. The rivalry in the way o.
houses and furniture, OF horses ant
carriages, of plate, OF entertainments
OF the most sumptuous character. hat
been intense, and tie majority OF
those engaged in this costly strife
have had no honest income TO sustain
1t. Debt, crime. or corruption was in
eyitabie.
The wonder il not that such wreck
OF character and honor and OF life lonS
integrity should take place, but tina
there have not been others. and man,
Of them. Looked at calmly, What 9th
er result can be expected from thi
! general, almost universal. practice o
living beyond honest means. and aoan
donment Of honest labor for equivoca
pursuits, and the lsborious effort TO &c
rich without work The effects ar
every day made evident in the long lie
Of defanlting and embezzling crime
committed by persons having business
charge OF other peoples money. 1
is evident 10 the lang daily list o
bankruptcies aud Of Official thisyery. =
E II il made evident in the fact that th'
Grand Juries have become practicall
Q permanent bodies in several States o
= The Union. investigating q single elias
y Of fcorruption--bribery and theft. IL
made evident in the fact that dali.
newspapers arc started and msintsine,
to defend and protect the men who ro'
= the government, accept bribcs. ant
who are rich in the money sfoien iron
D the public. This systrm of socis
. waste end sxtrsvsgsncs eau have bu
one eud--bsnkrupscy or crime. Wit
ali their consequences; and there ca
be no r. formation until society sha
recognize wealth ~ disreputsbis ths
is -"t the product OF honest toll an'
!. i .a1~xfass~ =