National Republican., 1877-01-20

Relations of Law and License in Warrington.
Asa general proposition 1t is true that every
community is responsible for the crime which it
tolerates or renders possible by its Indifference
and inattention. But, obviously, there should be
q departure from this rule in considering the moral
condition of great political centre, such IS the
city of Washington, whittier the questionable
classes naturally tend in pursuit Of pleasure or
excitement or of the idIeness OF office, in lieu of
the legitimate employment which is denied them
elsewhere because Of their habits and lack Of 1T
ness. Here congregate, during the sessions Of
Congress, as at . national rendezvous, all the
unoccupied portions Of the people not only Of the
United States, but Of other countries temporarily
sojourning among US, bringing with them all their
weaknesses and vices to be INDUCED and prac-
ticed as elements in the festivities Of the grand
carnival of "the season." The advent is simulta-
neoIs yith the commencement of the session,
and the hegfra, with its close. Why it is so, no
one can tell, without Seeming reflection upon
the representatives of the people unless, perhaps,
It may be accounted for on the hypothesis that
these classes assume the weakness Of many
among so great body Of men as compose the two
Houses of Congress, and knowing them to be
mostly unaceompanied by their families, presume
upon their general participation in and encour-
agement of the scenes of dissipation and proni-
gacy so familiar in Washington during the
winter, introduced by them for purposes of
pleasure, of proft or Of plunder, when the circum
stances are SO favorable for indulgence and
secrecy. But this explanation does not materially
change the moral aspect of the situation, for the
reason that the classes in question are credited
with being superior judges of human character,
whether private or clothed with ofical dignity,
and since, by this immemorial usage, they have
familiarized the public with very low estimate
of the average morals of legislators and others,
when absent from their homes on a winters cruise
at the Capital. But be this as it may, the fact
remains that with the presence OF Congress in
Washington there is grand arrival Of the repre-
sentatives of the sporting and immoral classes at
their accustomed places, which, like other embas-
sizes, they locate NEAR the Government" Then
come the idlers and ofice-seekers, who, having
nothing to engage their minds, fall into evil ways
and seek congenial resorts and companionship;
then come the numerous hordes of hungry harpies,
by their lobbies and subsdizers, scattering cor
ruption and crime in the paths Of all whose ser
vices can be made available in the advancement
of the schemes to be promoted; then comes, also,
an off color of fashion, seeking by me ans Of the
lavish display of money and jewelry to be recog-
nized and received in society; and, last in men
tien though by no means last to arrive, then come
the train of gamblers and the suite Of the file de
joIe, which the world over, as the experience of
every capital on earth will attest, seem to be as
inseparably connected with legislation as if they
were formal part of it.
Thus II will be seen that the resident popula-
tion of Washington can hardly be charged with
a lack Of virtue If they fail to regenerate and
reform the motley throng which steadily passes
through the Federal city, pausing only with the
presence of the occasion, and then proceeding on
it'll perpetual round, but to return again with
ever-accumulating varieties and forms OF dissipa-
tion for itself and of temptation for others. And
it will be admitted that they have far more
difficult task than falls to the lot Of the residents
of most cities in preserving themselves and their
youth from the combinations sown by the An
nual cast of vice during the fashionable season.
They do all in their power to shut out the de-
vourer, but without success, because Of the
breaches made in the walls of defense by the
assaults of the external forces to which they are
annually subjected.
These facts should have the effect, at least, to
inspire the minds Of the pure in the legislative
halls with great patience and forbearance toward
the devoted people whose homes and hearts and
whole affections are centred here, exposed to the
debasing influences of the contagious mass which
floats in their midst, having its sources and rsmi
fcations in every city of the Union, and drawing
its support from those distant fountains 1t should
prompt them to see to 1t that the amplest means
are provided the local authorities to restrict the
influences, If they cannot suppress the existence,
ofvice by the investment of some sufhcent agency
with untrammeled power to that end, and by pre-
scribing exemplary punishment for the violation
Of the laws by those who make them; for 1t is
useless expense and absurd folly to enact lsgisla-
ton denouncing penalties against the general
transgressor while in his presence those who erect
the barriers OF the law join in breaking them
down. How shall it be expected that the weak
and deprsved will be restrained from the clre-
less indulgence Of evil practices and vile pas
sions from q respect for the law or out Of consid-
GRAFTON for themselves, when the very soyer-
eighty of the people, as represented among
them, is trailed in the mire and filth Of secret
Iicentiousness? To hope for such q result. or to
labor for it. is to expect miracle, and to practice
. carnal syncretism.
Where the people Of . municipality are under
the direct control Of the sovereign poweN IS in
the case of this city, and particularly as the cir
cumstances entail all the evils We have pointed
out, any lack Of morals want of respec: for the
laws manifested on the part Of the heterogeneous
multtuderesiding or sojourning therein, is wholly
ascriSatIe to inefhciency on the part Of the roy
ereign authority. And 1t behooves Congress to
consider well the great responsibility imposed
by the people in oonding to its hands the govern
ment of the District and to provide such full and
complete measures for the purpose, including the
force of its opn example, as shall protect not only
the morals Of the National Metropolis, bat the
reputation Of the country at large.