Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-04-10
.Rsbmk,ina immortality.

Re6Uhin0 IBaDtOFGuty.
At times there seems 10 be an at
mospheric wave of immortality floating
around and among Us. exerting balelul
influence upon the whole community.
Profanity and vulgar speeches are heard
at every turn, and lewd leer. plainly
shows whittier the thoughts OF men wan
der. This influence grows and gains,
until some overt act or shocking barbara
", causes US to pause, and think where
this course OF conduct is leading.
Twice the people OF Oxford County
have thus been called upon to mend their
ways, during the past year-cAlled to by
the voices of two murdered human
beings,-one an infant, weak and help
less. taken away in all its innocence, and
the other young msn, in the full visor
of life. The perpetrators of the first and
most shocking murder have Just been
brought to Justice. At their trial, and by
their trial. a shade Of society has
been presented 20 our people, such as
few imagined could exist in enlightened
New England. Here in our very midst
has been maintained an establishment OF
such character. that its very name Is
unmentionsble. In the country which Is
supposed TO be under the special super
vision Of Divine Hand, man has caused
q sore. the stencil from which has, during
the past few weeks, sickened and dis
heartened many a lover OF his kind. The
most distressing details OF this case were
not allowed to 90 before the jury-ror
were oil that did, made public by the
print-yet as the trial progressed, fact
after fact was detailed By those familiar
with the parties, such as can but lead one
to embrace the doctrine Of tota! deprav-
ity, and TO almost doubt whether any III
fluence can change the law which sin hiss
thus laid upon the race.
Not only are these sad crimes commit
ted, but there are men who. knowing
better. allow them to pass unrebuked.
that they may afterwards sell their silence
to the criminal, at market value
Money thus obtained will prove ssmost
undesirable possession. The legend is
often told of q miser who dreamed that
he was in hell He had taken all his gold
with him. and the angels of light-fre
hght-were melting the precious metal
and pouring the molten MISTER down his
heated throat. II money saved by stingi-
ness lesds such dreams, that obtained at
the price OF helpless lives must bring a
greater curse. Il will not only cousign
the exacter to he'll hereafter. but make
such perdition OF this life, that it may
seem joy to leap into the next.
The young man who was killed in
Norway belonged 10 a company who
"loyed good time He was no worse
than many OF his companions-nor were
the eighteen upon whom the tower Of
Sloan tell and slew them" worse than
81 men-but his death comes 10 us with
s lesson that should be needed. The
only safety for the individual and for the
community is RICH, living.
Judge Barrows very Justly commended
the Jury which convicted the inhuman
mother who murdered her babe. and her
scarcely less guilty companion in crime.
Their conviction and punishment, is re-
buke to immortality. which is much need
ed. 1t may serve as warning to those
who are INDUCING, thOughtlessly, it may
be, in practices OF questionable prOpriety,
and must lead al to examine their ways,
to see if their steps are not directed
toward the same chasm. But this work
of publication should not stop with the
conviction Of these two women. Every
community should drive all evil doors
from their midst. and every person cog
infant OF breaches of the law, should at
once report them to the prosecuting
officers. The long session OF our Grand
Jury seems to indicate that the people
are awakening to their best interests. and
are endeavOring to suppress crime. We
are confident that they will find hearty
second in this effort from those 10 authori-
ty. All that Is necessary to make Oxford
County one OF the most law-sbiding, Is
that every hiding place OF vice shall be
exposed to the eyes OF the proper officer.