The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-02-14
Mercantile DiSlOnOr.

Mercantile DiShOnOr.
The recent instances in which men
hitherto held in the highest respect, and
supposed to be of unimpeachable char
actcr. have fallen so low as to commit
the crime of forgery, naturally lead to
the inquiry as to what are the causes at
work to produce such unexpected and
sickening revelations. Not the imme-
date train of circumstances which pre-
coded the particular crimes of these
men. but the secret and insidious ele-
ments that can SO poison the moral at
mosphere as to make such corruption
possible. Beside the guilt which at
taches to delinquents Of this kind, and
the responsibility incurred by those who
directly influence them, there is a GER
tain degree to which society is account
able for the dishonor. 1t is not only the
fraudulent action that is to be blamed
not only the overtrading or specula-
ton that has led to it-not only the
lack of firm integrity to withstand
temptation-beside all these, there is
far down in the very heart of the So
cial organism Il craving ambition for
wealth, and dcep-seated reverence for
it, that furnish the fruitful soil in which
all varieties of mercantile dishonor ger
inmate and flourish.
The young man grows up in the at
mosphere and inhales it with every
breath. He sees the most respectful
homage paid to wealth, even when un-
accompanied by intelligence or char
acter; he sees men and women of
worth Sighted because they are poor;
he sees all around him the struggle for
a rapidly-made fortune, and the un-
concealed admiration of the multitude
for the successful aspirants. 1t is
not strange that he, too, should par
take of the unwholesome and feverish
excitement, and should launch forth in
the same eager pursuit. Rapid accu-
mutation requires expansion of the
credit. Labor does not produce sud-
den riches, even though it be united
with economy, energy, prudence and
foresight. These steps, though safe
and sure, are too slow to suit the tenn
per of the times; SO the property or
premises of others are used to an in
definite extent. How far this may be
done with safety and honor is ques-
ton that has never yet been satisfac-
torily settled. Certain it is that they
are often depended upon to degree
utterly disproportionate to the means
really possessed. Then comes the
temptation to use such property reck-
lessly. Not having tested its value by
its true equivalent, labor, it is held
loosely and parted with easily. This
habit of risking another's property
with less care and prudence than ones
own, leaps by degrees to various
shades of unfaithfulness, and the down.
ward road, once commenced, is some
times continued until it ends in posi-
tive crimes, such as the young man on
commencing his business career would
have shrunk from with unspeakable
horror.
1t is very evident that the root which
brings forth such poisonous weeds is
the fictitious value popularity placed
upon riches, as such. Wealth, as the
representative of labor. intelligence
and self-control, as the instrument
which promotes culture and art, aids
philanthropy, raises the standard of ex-
cellence and distributes happiness over
this world, cannot be too highly priced
nor too earnestly sought. But the
wealth which springs from no such
source and seeks no such aims is a curse
rather than blessing. Gained by
snrewdness instead of toll, artifice in
stead of energy, rapidly swept in by
speculation or even more questionable
means, instead of gradually acquired
by industry and economy, and EN-
ployed to foster ease and indulgence,
instead of facilitating noble endeavor-
it is worse than valueless, it is posi-
tive injury to the possessor and all UNI
der his influence; instead of receiving
the smile and homage of society, wealth
so gained and so expended ought to re-
ceive her frown and her contempt.
1t society is thus, in a measure, re-
sponsible for the crimes which stain
her fair name, each man and woman
must bear his or her own share of the
obligation. 1t is a duty we all owe to
the community to honor virtue and in
telligence, industry and integrity,
whether they are clothed in homespun
or in silk, and to give them, not merely
the homage of our secret thoughts, but
the open and public reverence which is
their due. Equally are we bound to
dishonor all riches that are ill-gotten
and ill-spent, and this, not merely in
general and abstract condemnation, but
in each particular instance where the
opportunity of thus exerting our in
fiuence Occurs. Only as each of us
does this, bravely and heartily, thus
purifying public opinion and elevating
her standard, can we hope to strike
fatal blow at the root which is ever Civ
ing fresh vitality to all the crooked
branches of the mercantile dishonor.-
Philnflcl7lhin Le6zOer.