Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-03-10
Ex-Governor Washburn on the
Assumed Increase Of Crime.

The editor of The New Religion, published
at Norway in this State, having written Ex-
Governor Washburn to give his views in re-
gard to the assumed increase of crime, re-
ceived the following letter, which we copy
from the columns Of The New Religion.
EUREKA SPRINGS, Ark, Feb 18th. lss2.
Rev. j. A. SEITz,
Dear Sir Your letter of January II,
only reached me a day or two ago at this
place, after having been re-drected two or
three times.
do not remember to have seen the state
ment of Judge Barrows to which you refer,
but from your letter think it may have re-
spected the question of the assumed large in
crease of crime in the State of Maine, and,
probably, other states. | know it is the
opinion of many intelligent men that there
has in later years been very considera-
Bile increase of crime in this country, and
that this increase is likely to be continued.
And they have, not unnaturally, gloomy fore
bodings of TIE future of American civiliza-
ton. They seem to believe that christianity
rs its chief factor is not to be depended on;
that it does not contain the forces by which
society is to be saved.
do not belong to this class of doubters.
In the first place. do not believe that there
are more crimes in Maine or in the country
at large, than there were 90, 80 or 100 years
ago, the increased population being taken
into account. There are undoubtedly more
legal offences. but of the crimes known as
nahum IN se-that is involving essential tur-
pitude-I am confident the number of cases
are fewer. When read the memoirs, and
most inner history of statesmen, even of such
times rs those of our revolution. and com
70 thrrn itb uhut I Nc tbo Of
the present day, am encouraged rather than
otherwise by the comparison. In lofriness
and breadth of aim, in purity and in patriotism
! see no evidence of decadence. When read
the records of our early courts in Maine, and
obtain glimpse of the times, the customs
and manners of the people as they were in
the 18th and 18th centuries | rejoice in the
improvement which | discover in the lives
and the manners of to-day over those Wanted
ages of innocence and virtue. When OBJ
serve the aims, the good deeds. the charities
and humsnities of our age, will not believe
that the civilization which they represent,
and the christianity by which they are moved
are failures-that they are elements of evil
and springs of crime. have more hope
full philosophy.
Undoubtedly, there is great volume of
crime in the land and especially Of offenses
not known in earlier times, before the age of
steam and electricity and the marvellous dc!
veloping influences of the period in which we
live, and of the immense immigration from
foreign lands with which this country has
been visited of late years. Seasons of tran
sition and change are those of disturbance.
and bring with them evils and dangers of
their own. They are inseparablc, but not
alarming. II would be no source of encour-
avement were il otherwise.
"weil roxrs the STERN to him who hears
deeper voice across the storm
The law that what we have We must paw
for, is not to be suspended in these days more
than in any other. The true question is, is
what we have worth buying? Wealth
and luxury are the parents of many vices.
but also of many virtues. They are working
out the problems for which they were sum
moned into existence, and these problems
concern the elevation of the race. | do not
believe that wealth is in itself wrong or the
necessary and efficient cause of wrong. do
not think that luxury and refinement are es-
scntially evil. and although in anti Christian
ages they could not of themselves save the
people from corruption and decay, l find no
reason TO fear that under the sway and guild
ance Of growing Christian civilization they
may not be made useful and indispensable
factors in the highest progress of men and
nations.
For every thing we would possess in this
world we must pay the price. Wrestling with
the forces at work in our time, we secure and
save through discipline and trial what is mos,
valuable.
The marvellous sccumulations of wealth
in this generation will necessarily effect many
changes in society. But that better con.
dition of society, and higher life in individ-
uals will be the result is the assurance of my
philosophy, and of my christianity.
/ sometimes hear it said that christianity is
but q fable at best-in fact an organized
hypocrisy, and that its ministers and teachers
are venAl and false. And to prove this an,
pointed to the hundreds and thousands
of men in our pulpits who. it is alleged, for
the sake of position, fashion. lucre, adhere
to churches in whose essential and fundsmen.
tai doctrines they do not believe, subscribe to
creeds which they denounce, and steadily
preach doctrines which are in direct contra
diction to the faith which they have pledged
themselves, with the most sacred of sfiirma-
tons and vows, to uphold and teach. am
told that the straining at and explaining away
Of terms and expressions in church creeds
whose sense is plain and obvious and which
men know IL that in which they are under