The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1878-12-12

We give one more extract from the ar
ticle in the October number of the Allan
tic Monthly, entitled. Certain Dangerous
Tendencies in American Life"
1--WE shall wholly fail if we think we
can improve society, or any portion of it,
by any plan which does not require i'm
provement on the part of the more fortu-
nate and cultivated classes. Much of
their culture is superficial and unpracti-
cal, consisting rather of unrelated frag-
ments of thought, and vague impressions
concerning what is supposed to be known,
than of real knowledge resulting from
the ordered activity of a disciplined in
telligence. We need better culture for
our teachers and leaders; not merely
more of the same kind they now possess
but culture of a higher order. 1t will not
do to confine our, interest or efforts to
the lower strata We must learn how to
solve such problems as lauperism, or
poor-relief, and prison management; but
woe to our nation if we expend all our
vitality upon them. We must do this
and have strength for higher interests
and more constructive work. The lower
classes are now educating US. A neces-
sary tendency and peril of democracy, OF
universal suffrage arrangement of soci-
ETY., is general mediocrity, the adoption
of low standards, halting of the army OF
civilization while we wait for the camp
followers to come up. Let us distribute
rations among these if that is best. But
their place is not in front, and the head
of the column must move on. We must
open the way ahead, and not merely for
tify the rear of our position.
"The people who believe in culture, in
property, and in order, that is in civiliza,
ton, must establish the necessary agen-
cies for the diffusion of new culture
Capital must protect itself by organized
activities for a new object educa-
ton of the people. Those who possess
property, and those who value it as one
of thesgreat forces and supports of civili
zation, will be obliged to learn that legis
lation, even if the laws are properly
enforced, is not an adequate means fo1
| the protection of property and the re-
preston of the disorderly and destructive
elements in our society. Legislation it
self is fast becoming a weapon in the
! hands of the hostile forces and even i
| it were always the work of wise men it is
only one factor of civilization, and woulc
not give us security without great ad
vance in the culture and character of the
people. Our present conditions canno
be permanent. If they are not improved
! they will soon grow worse The evil
which threaten US must be studied anc
understood and then dealt with ration
ally, and some Of their sources must bt
cut off.
The present slovenly and miserabl.
inefficient procedure in dealing will
tramps, yagrants, and people destitute o
food and employment must be changed
by taking some unit of territory, town
ship, ward, or county, and then confininl
all who need relief to the district il
which they belong or may be found. La
Dor which will yield them food, no
wages, should be provided, and all per
sons supplied with food should be com
PEELED to work. AS it is now, vas
army marches around the land refusing
all work, and receiving far more foot