The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-09-07
Can . viciou. Man Mako . Good Public
Omcere

From the Catholic Universe, Sept
We do not writo on this subject for the pur-
pose Of influencing votes In the Presidential contest
Tho subject has entered the struggle and consequent
discussion there has appeared and been advocated the
DRY that would take all opprobrium from unchaste
ton and tend to demoraize public sentiment No person
having the virtue OF the people at heart consider
such result without concern For this reason we write
tits broadly asserted that the chastity OF person
holding public position need not he considered; that .
who 10 regardless Of that virtue may neverthe
less be most competent and Trustworthy in public life
History does not sustain those who judge Scriptures
the history of the Church. aud profane history full
of warning to the contrary. The instances Of Samson
David Solomon. and IIarod In Holy Writ suice to show
how crimes Of this kind visited not only upon the
criminals Themselves but upon the people intrnsted to
them. In Church history the persecution OF St John
Chrysoston, the Kingdoms placed under tnterdct.
the schisns and heresies caused by fstful rulers.
notably the detection OF England fron, caholeity
sufficient illustration In profsne history note
caused by such crimes nuberess intrgues leading to
petty prosecutions, expressions and death Of citizens
Any who 10 at all familiar with the principal events
OF history from the Trojan in the dmness OF fable
down TO century easily recall facts without
number that to the point that can be asserted
with all probability that nothing else has changed the
face of empires and caused such desoaon as unchas
tty in public 1t thus be seen that chastity in
public life Is matter of grave concern. and how Zip
pant 10 the talk of those who wish for partisan pur
poses to create u different impression.
But this ia not all The mos important point the
Decentralization of public seDtiment There necessarily
an adherence OF known mpurity because of the dis
grace misery, despair and other aic tons that are
brought about by unchase action Is this adherence
that leads frequently to the speedy ynching of those
who have had share in su:h crimos II there 10
barrier. Beyond the grace OF God to deuge Of i'm.
purity 1t is the public disrepute that attaches those
who guilty Of tho II thus be that II
not hypocrisy aud Inconsistency to punish those who
nre publicly known TO lie guilty Of crimes that
ce,y committed by many other persons with IMMUNITY
1t Is simply regard for barrier to immortality Those
who guilty OF such crimes feel their
| degradation anil seek the darkness. The reasoning
Of some persons would tuke away all tho opprobrium
and give the criminal IMMUNITY IN the MONDAY sun.
The same reasoning carried out would take all these
crimes from the penal code and let every such criminal
| go unpublished from the court room Every body can
readily understand what would become of society in
such state OF afars Those who acquainted with
the dangers to youth in the general axty OF customs
to associations Of young men and young women in this
country. the dances and night walking common. the
early freedom from parental restrictions. so that in
general when children attain the age of about ls years
| parents almost as n rule do not know the where
abouts or companionshp Of young folks. cannot with
out concern dsrepute lifted from criminal actions
| and criminal associations. T. =. MAuAR, q. d.