The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-11-27
OPPOSING FORCES.

The theory that wrongs may be corrected
il the right is left free to combat them is of
ancient origin, and includes every form OF
vice and every appliance of virtue. As a
general proposition society accepts it in all
Of its bearings upon the welfare Of the state
Notwithstanding this the fact is gaining
strength that vice in its multiform phases is
steadily gaining advantages and becoming
more impregnably intrenched IN its defiant
attitude. 1t builds its citadels in the very
center OF population; hangs its banners up
on the outer walls of its Notifications and
challenges combat; 1t defies the law, the
courts, religion and the church, schools and
their infuence-in fact, its attitude daily
becomes more and more menacing,
until good people stand appalled, be-
fore its growing power. Prisons and
the gallows, social ostracsm and hu.
man and divine denuuciations seem
to have lost their power in restraining the
vicious tendencies of the times. 1t would
be difficult, IL we listened to popular COM
ments, to conceive of a more untoward as
pect of affairs, and the subject is daily be-
coming of greater gravity to these who make
social science their study. Penitentisries
were never in the history OF the country so
crowded, and criminal courts were never so
burdened with business. Crime is becoming
of a more aggravated character, with the in
PRODUCTION of variety of new features which
tax the powers of the most graphic pen for
adequate description. While this is accepted
truth, we find, on the other hand, that Bi.
bles were never so numerous; tracts, incul-
eating morality and religion In short and
easy lessons, are falling IN all OF the high
ways of society almost as numerous as au.
tumn leaves. In all directions church
spires can be seen and the mes
sengers OF Chrsrs gospel be heard proclaim
ing glad tidings to men. Free schools are
everywhere in full operation, and the youth
OF the land are being taught lessons OF wis
dom to guide them in the duties of citizen.
ship. Still vice is growing in its defiant
strength, and we are asked to believe that
the world is growing worse instead of better
Is 1t SOP II the question is answered affirm.
atively, then the conclusion is inevitable
that virtue, the right with Its eternal veri
ties, is not equal to the wrong in arresting
its advancement and the maxim, that error
may be tolerated il truth Is left free to COM
bat il is a mistake, and something else will
have to be done to secure the public good.
We are of the opinion that il all the machin.
cry of virtue were confided to men who
would operate 1T in the interests of society,
vice would be arrested-at least its tidal
waves would not roll so high nor submerge
so many. In such condition of things the
law would be no respecter of persons, and
the well dressed votary of vice would bow as
low before the majesty of the law bis
ragged colaborer. The churches, whose mis-
SION it is to embrace all the people as loving
ly as did Christ himself, and IN a special
manner look after the poor. would be no re
specter of persons, and salvation would be
offered to all without regard TO palatia
homes or bank accounts, and seats In the
sanctuary would no longer be offered to the
highest bidder for the display Of wealth and
ostentaton, and the man or woman In PLAIN
garb would be offered the waters Of life with
as much solicitude as their Weather neigh
bors. There would be in the sanctuaries Of
religion no paupers' benches, or il such
things were known Gods poor would occupy
seats OF conspicuous honor. As the case
now stands, the church is shorn OF It's great.
est power and glory by its abandonment OF
the vital examples of its founder, and the
poor-those whose elevation IL is the sublime
mission of the church to secure--sre
treated as IL they had no souls
10 save and no intellectual ca
liabilities to be developed. They can en-
ter the sanctuary only to be reminded OF
their lowly condition. and to exhait by con-
trast their more favored neighbors. In this