Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1879-12-24
HYPocRITEs AND FRAUDS.

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HYPOCRITES AND FRA UDS
What Is wickedncss Probably
nineiy.ninc of every hundred would
answer that wickedness is TO steal,
cheat, murder, get drunk and beat
wives, committing adultery, forgery,
perjury and other criminal offences
specified in the penal code. But be.
fore we judge wicked man harsbly
we should know his entire history,
from infancy. and consider the inau,
ences and surroundings and opportu-
mites he has had, and in very many
cases we would find him to be an OBJ
ject OF pity and charity,
We have men in the community who
are far more infamous than the wicked
one referred to. We mean the hypo.
critics and frauds who conceal villainy
under the cloak Of re!igion-the wolves
in sleeps clothing-who lie, and cheat,
and steal very cautiously who throw
people of their guard by their up.
parent piety-by their prominence in
the upper pews OF the church; by their
sweet smiles and oily words by their
long, heart.melting prayers, and who
are yet known to be the most con.
firmed swindlers and scoundrels. 1t is
this class who are making the mischief
in the community, and these are the
ones who deserve the fullness OF Della
ware whipping post punishment. For
mere wicked men we may have some
respect. A burglar, when he enters a
dwelling for the purpose of robbing a
safe or money drawer, runs the risk of
having bullet put through his heart,
and there is, therefore, some sort Of
courage necessary to make success.
ful burglar or highwayman. 1t does
not by any means follow that bur-
glar or even murderer, is q mean,
cowardly sneak. TO satisfy the de.
mands OF law, and protect society, it ~
necessary sometimes to hang a man
for murder committed under crcum.
stances calculated to command our ad-
mration of his manhood, and those Of
this class are very hard cases.
But what can be said OF the sweet
oil hypocrite who succeeds in stealing
the confidence of those by whom he is
surrounded and then basely bctrays
that confidence in a manner that can.
not be reached by any process of law 7
How about the head or leader Of the
church who is even known as q robber
of the contribution box and notorious
swindler of the church, and who relies
entirely upon hypocritical sweetness,
and long prayers, and lovely profes.
sions of Christianity to escape justice ?
This is not strictly political sub.
ject, yet in view of the fact that many
OF the most barefaced political corrup.
tionists, in high National and State
authority, are labeled "Cbristian States.
men" the general subject Of hypocrisy
does not enter into discussion of polit-
ieal affairs, and demand the attention
Of all well. disposed and honest men.
We hear much talk about reform.
And we need reform in every depart
ment of National, State and Municipal
Government, and everybody knows
and feels il. And as reform is getting
to be popular idea, the people are in
danger Of being outragcously deceived
by frauds and hypocrites protesting to
be reiormers. Tho only safety is in
closely investigating every proposition
claimed as measure Of reform. II
real, then support it; if bogus, show it
up and expose it. What the country
now needs is hold, square, independent
and outspoken men who are not afraid
to call things by their correct names.
We need public journals to point out
not only political and social evils and
advocate reform but who will also de-
vote themselves to the good work of
unmasking the pretenders and sneaks
who are by far the most infamous of
all scoundrels with which the commu.
nifty is afflicted. That which is gon.
orally known as wlckedness is by no
means the greatest evil under which
society suffers. 1t is the Pharisecs,
frauds and hypocrites high in political
authority, and we regret to say IN too
many cases even in the Christian pull
pit, who need to be exposed and made
odious by all honest and right-mlnded
men.