The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1878-09-19
Minor Morals.

We have often noticed how, at the an |
nouncement of every theft or defalcation |
in our larger cities, suburban and coun- |
try papers eagerly seize the opportunity |
to inveigh, with holy horror, against tn he |
wickedness and depravity therein exist
ing, and talk as if all morality and COM
mon honesty had fed therefrom and
taken up their abode among the fields
and forests of the country. That there
has been, during the few years past in
our principal business centers, enough
rong-doing to attract the attention and
excite the fears of all thoughtful men, is
too true That sin and wickedness more
abound at the present than at any pre-
vious time, is doubtful. There are prob
ably no writings extant that more clearly
and truthfully show what human nature
was, in the olden times, than the Proverbs
of Solomon and they need no change in
order to make them applicable to the
same human nature at present. That
the centers of business attract from the
country large proportion of its enter
prise and energy, is true; and that these
talents are not always directed in the
best channels, is also indisputable. Large
cities are also the recipients Of all immi-
grants. OF these it is only the more in
dustrious who find their way to country
homes, leaving the vile and dish onest to
lower the standard of morality, which
would be low enough without them.
We do not propose to take up the
cudgel in defence of the morality Of the
city, not even to say to the country, in
slang phraseology, Your another" We
would, however, suggest the impropriety
of one culinary utensil rejecting on the
complexion of its neighbor, for usually
the pot is as black as the kettle. All
immortality and dishonesty are not con-
nected With energy and enterprise. and
when these latter find their way to Cities
the former, or some portions thereof, are
left behind.
The enormity of crime is often judged
by the amount of dollars involved, but
theft is a theft be it of one dollar or
million,-and he who steals the one is
Just as far as, and no farther, from being
an honest man than is the other. The
country was startled few years ago by
the revelations showing how the Tweed
ring has misgoverned New York and
rnisapplied the public funds. We believe
We have within our knowledge small
townships that have been managed with
rs little regard to the public good and
with as much dishonesty in the applica-
ton of public money, when the amounts
are considered, as was New York in its
worst days And the same will hold
good as regards manufacturing compa-
nies, corporations and individuals.
In cities police force is sustained at
large expense for the protection OF prop
erty. In the country, a farmer is obliged
to build and maintain fences to prevent
his neighbor from stealing his crops-by
means of cattle-at an expense greater
than would be believed, without actual
mathematical calculation.
If we were endeavoring to make q case
against our country friends. it would be
easy to remind them of multitude OF
cases where the narrow path of morality
is often overstepped. When have we
seen barrel of apples or potatoes that
had as good fruit in the middle or bot
tom as on the top7 Will the hoops about
the bales of hay be as heavy when pound
of wood is worth more than pound o
hay-or will eggs average larger when
they are sold by weight instead of mum
ber2
Little sins, so called, are often winkeo
At, and there are many who would do yor
out of a dime to whom dollar would be
q stumbling block, and the stealing OF {
thousand dollars would seem an enormlty
at which the very gates OF perditior
would open. The temptations for wrong
doing are greater in the city than in the
country. Expensive habits OF dress ano
living, INDUCED in by those who have
money to spare, beget want for the