National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-09-10
TIE MORALISSUE.


Impure Man Cannot Make "a Good
Public Servant.
The Caiboic UniUcrsc, Sept 1.
We do not write on this subject for the
purpose of influencing votes in the presi-
Dental contest. The subject has entered
the struggle, and in consequent discus
sion there has appeared and been advo-
Gated theory that would take all oppro-
brum from unchaste action and tend to
dcmoralzo public sentiment. No person
having tho virtue of tho people ut heart
can consider such result without con
corn. For this reason we write
1t Is broadly asserted that the chastity
Of person holding public position need
not bo considered; that person who is
regardless of that virtue may neverthe-
less be most competent and trustworthy
in public life. History docs not sustain
those who so Judge. Scriptures, the his
tory of the church, and profano history
are full of warning to the contrary. Tho
instances Of Samson, David, solomon, and
Herod in Holy Writ suffice to show how
crimes Of this kind arc visited not only
upon the criminals themselves, but upon
the people intrustod to them. In church
history tho persecution of St. John Chry-
sostom, the Kingdoms placed under inter
dict, tho schisms and heresies caused
by lustful rulers, notably the dofoc-
tion of England from Catholicity, are
sufficient illustration. In profane history
we note wars caused by such crimes,
numberless intrigues leading to petty
prosecutions, expressions, and death of
citizens. Any one who is at all familiar
with the principal events Of history from
tho Trojan war in tho dimness of fable
down to our own century can easily re-
call facts without number that are TO the
point, so that it can be asserted with all
probability that nothing else has so
changed the face of empires and caused
such desolation and unchastity in public
men. 1t can thus be seen that chastity
in public life is matter of grave concern,
and how hippant Is the talk OF those who
wish, for partisan purposes, to create q
different impression.
But this is not all. The most impor-
tant point is the decentralization of public
sentiment There is necessarily an ab-
horrence of known impurity because OF
the disgrace, misery, despair. and other
aiilictions that are brought about by un-
chaste action. 1t Is this abhorrenco that
leads so frequently to the speedy lynch
ing of those who have had share in
such crimes. If there is one barrier, be-
yond the grace of God, to a deluge of
impurity, it is the public disrepute that
attaches to those who are guilty of the
crinfe. 1t can thus be seen that it is not
hypocrisy and inconsistency to punish
those who are publicly known to be guilty
of crimes that arc secretly committed by
many other persons with impunity. II
is simply regard for barrier to immoral
ity. Those who are guilty Of such
crimes feel their own degradation
and seek the darkness. The reasoning
of some persons would take away all thC
opprobrium and give the criminal impun'
ity in the MONDAY sun. The SAINT
reasoning carried out would take al
these crimes from the penal code and lei
every such criminal go unpunished from
the court room. Everybody can readily
understand what would become of society
in such state of affairs. Those who are
acquainted with the dangers to youth il
the general laxity of customs as to associa
tions of young men and young women IL
this country, the dances and nigh
walking so common, the early freedom
from parental restrictions, SO that il
general when children attain the age o
| about Is years, parents almost as rul'
| do not know the whereabouts or compan
ionship of young folks, cannot withou
concern see disrepute lifted from crimina
actions and criminal associations.
Il. +. MAHAR, NJ. d.