New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-17
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
rIIr 40 ANrIc .MnNTHLY- Ooioher.

untsnaie theories in regard TO the relations and Obli
cations of society He introduces the main discussion
by referring most significant consequences OF the
Civil War namely the destruction Of property to the
amount Of many millions Of dollars and the necessity OF
Government loan of more than two thousand millions
IN order maintain the existence OF the nation WIN
this immense reduction Of national wealth. and the
new burden OF enormous debt, there was
but one course OF wisdom and saiety-that OF tine
most rigid economy. Instead Of which, by strange
deiuson the people came 10 regard the paper money
every note Of which certificate of debt and OF loss
OF property as an addition 10 wealth which not only
compensated for material losses, but made us lar
richer than had been before the war. Under the IN
huence Of this astounding both Government ana
people entered upon Of boundess extravaganza
There was little effort to pay what owed. Many per
sons lost their heads and acted II debts never 10
be paid and as If wealth without limit could be created
at viii by the issue of paper promises The result Is
that the country is much poorer than the people are
ready to admit That is they value their property at
vastly more is really worth Much of our wealth
consists of houses, furniture, mills, machinery ana rail-
roads, which produce nothing and which cannot be sod
But this real wealth. and much of the money thus
invested is lost
This extravaganza, the writer afirms has had some
important results I'M the domain Of morals. Manual
labor came 70 be undervalued. Mutudes Of men who
had hitherto honestly earned their living by the work OF
their hands, began 10 1--we by their wits by starting
business enterprises for the investment OF other peoples
money and taking Government contracts and corpora
tion Jobs. The Astounding dishonesty which has slice
then been our curse had its strongest impulse in the de
fusion about the power Of paper money in the uncer-
tanty Of its value and the extravaganza prOdueedp by
the war passionate greed for riches was developed
among the people. Even tue pulpit and the press en-
couraged this and reckless acQuisityeness IL
could be expected that the wOrkngmen should be
wiser than their teachers The increase OF wages Tor
all kinds Of manual labor great but compara-
lively few Of the wOrkngmen saved anything
Economy was deemed unnecessary, and they initiated
the prOfsion their employers. New wants we're IN
vented and habits were formed which have wrought
important changes in the character and aims Of the
wOrhngmen OF this country The sheer wastefulness
of that period is almost incredible With many men all
foresight seemed impossible They were intoxicated
by their ancied prosperity and were confident That II
would forever Into these conditions population
with no sufficient moral safeguards was suddenly
plunged. The transition 10 dishonesty had been pre-
pared for among all classes and was already partly
accomplished.
The writer then proceeds to consider the changes in
religious and moral character and equipment OF the
people which taken place during the last fifteen
years The nominal religion of the country Evan
geeal Professionalism. It's early creeds were still UNI
changed but real gon Of the people already
to great extent, decOrOus wOrldness. Many of the
ministers and Of the more intelligent members Of the
churches had become skeptcal regard to some OF
the cardinal doctrines OF the popular Christianity
Preaching became more and speculative and
railroads.&c.. Everywhere it almost ceased to deal
with morals duty 1t longer addressed 70 the
conscience but to the aesthetic taste. The dsineRra
ton Of religion has proceeded rapidly The church is
now for the part depository of social rather than
of religious influences Still there many truly reg
people churches who sincerely believe the old
doctrines embodied in the creeds. But these are every
where a small minority, and they mournfuly con-
sciOus that the old religious life and power have de-
parted from the church. These people are the real
strength Of the Evangelical Protestant churches far
religion concerned and their character is one Of the
most wholesome and truly conservative forces Of our
national life. But they few to regenerate the
American Church. though their influence is highly valu
able in resisting Of the evil tendencies Of the
Another class described by the writer are those in
whom prehistoric savage thought still survives with
slight modification from science any other modern in
uence Not all Of these have rejected Evangelical Pro
testantsm Great numbers Of them members OF the
popular churches Many Of them have wealth and social
position. But outside Of the church they usually
hostile to Christianity They believe in Omens, dreams,
signs many kinds in the influence Of the spirits of the
dead and other features Of prehistoric supernatural
ism. They have usually OF history, and Of the
past teacher, and especially hostile to belief in
any authority except Ihat Of the individual soul.
They mostly regard society great OppressOr and
believe that priests they call all ministers Of religion
have been the authors Of nearly all the evils which act
mankind They attach little value to facts and do not
think It important TO study them. Their contempt
equal to their sco for history They would like to see
the existing organization of society displaced and begin
without trying TO patch up the old systems Of
HgOn and law. No other class at present
fully educating the people Of this country They
positive aggressive with certain power Of enthus
asm which other class possesses. IL is great
and successful movement for the propagation Of unedu
thought the spectacle Of the unauRht classes and
dsOrganing forces Of the time taking possession ofthe
prntngpress Of the rOstrum Of the ballot and attack
ing modern society with It's own weapons. =
There doubt the writer continues, that the
IN whom the methods OF prehistoric thought stin
dominant includes a large number Of our countrymen
who, he thinks inclined TO regard nearly all labor
unnecessary and look upon employers oppressOrs
who defraud the wOringmen out Of large part Of the
fruits of their toll The political objects OF this GLASS Of
our citizens fully defined than is yet believed
by those regard them with contempt indifference
They think that the interests Of the labOrer will be ad
vaneed by nurng capital in every possible way, and
this they intend to do They will influence legislation
in this direction wherever they have the power
Those who possess property and live In
fort and refinement more and more regarded the
foes OF the workngmen. Intellectual labor is not re-
spected Professional men, scholars teachers, and eul
tyated people not acknowledged as laborers or
entitled the rewards Of labor The chief point Of at
tack arranged by the leaders OF the movement TO
be for time to the money OF the
country their policy to bring the whole subject of
the currency before the people meeting
sembed that all questions relating TO the issue Of
money shall be brought before the country voted upon
and decided anew at every election Their idea Of gov
eminent is attach less Importance TO Constitutional
provisions aud to depend more and more Congress
sionRl legislation.
Among other suggestions offered by the writer in view
OF the circumstances presented in the article is the i'm
porance OF active agencies for the diffusion Of the vital
principles which at tho foundation of human society
The fundamental TRUTH he insists, which underles the
menta and moral culture which the age requires is the