Weekly graphic. [volume] (Kirksville, Adair Co., Missouri) 1880-1949, 1881-03-11
Fearful.
Written for the Graphic.l

9
If"the love of money is the root OF
all evil" which think no one will de
ny, oh! how fearful the fact that 81 few
there are in all the land VINO have not
this root planted down deep in then
hearts. This is why the common sen
tlment of our country seems to have no
moral standard apart from money
This is why 10 many men have no prin'
cipleS that are not in market. Minis
seis of the gospel will throw themselves
on the market. and the congregation
that bids the highest-pay most money,
will get them do not say that all
will d. this, but the exceptions are
small. At Bible Grove, Scotland coun.
ty. / heard a minister say, Every
preacher is worth just what he will
bring IN market" but there were no
bids for him.
There are other men who for money
will screen the guilty from justice, and
cause innocent men to suffer for the
crlmes of others, They will prevent
witnesses from telling the truth. or be.
wilder their minds, and twist their
words to make them represent as true
that which they know to be false.
They will assert a fact is not proven,
when they know the evidence is con-
elusive; and declare statement prov
en- when they know there is no truth
or evidence to sustain it. And so per.
verse is the public sense of morals
that the more successful these men
are in concealing iniquity, perverting
judgement and defeating justice, the
greater will be their honor, and bright
er their prospects for the future. Pub
lie sentiment excuses these gentlemen
because it is in their line of business.
They get pay for their work.
Again, editors, of religious as vel! as
secular newspapers of high standing,
can be hired by the vilest of men to Cir
culate extensively through the country
the grossest falsehood, thus defraudlng
and robbing the simple, honest laborer
of his hard earnings. But this is In
their line of business, they get pay for
it. We excuse them.
Merchants representing their goods
as better than they are; we excuse
them because it is so common among
traders. we look for nothing else. They
must do this to keep even with their
neighbors in making money.
This Is in their line of business. Men
who manufacture and sell intoxicating
liquors, do 1t not because they like the
business, or think it honorable, but be.
cause there is money in it, and they are
excused in this nefarious business, be-
cause they pay large sums of money as
revenue tax.
1t seems that money secures the COM
mon approval of the most direct viola
tions Of all moral principles.
How fearful!
And perhaps the most fearful feature
of this moral defcrmity. lies in this
men whose experience have made them
skillful in dishonest practices, will, just
before an election. 60 into the market
and buy up all those men, who are al
ways ready to sell themselves to the
highest bidder, and by a combination
of corrupting influence a corrupt man
is chosen to decide the claims or rights
Of the people, whether of property.
liberty or life. And a conspiracy is
formed tor SpeculatlonS, brides and
grabs hidden under the most noble pre-
fences.
Is this not fearful2-
The love of money causes society to
grade and classify men, and their grade
and classification, is according to the
amount of cash they command Re-
spectability is vital thing in society,
and all Of us would like to have it, if
we had the money. But friendship
bought with money is dear at any price.
If we ever raise the standard of morals |
above the purchasing power of money.
we must make virtuous life of truth
and justice, respectable, and honor and
associate with the poor who are pure
in heart, and our religious, political,
financial and social life, murt be strict
ly pure
A. RUSSELL.