St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-18
-. u w ILL
st. Paul, Feb. 16, 1885.


To the Editor of the Globe:
The arrogance of vice and immortality of
the day, in American politics, and the largely
prevalent want of moral courage or senseless
indisposition among those who con-
stitute the so-called better class
es of society, to meet or reprobate
it, concur unhappily to discredit the sub
lime theory OF true Democratic government,
based upon the sentiments and principles of
popular virtue and intelligence. This is an
inirmity which will remain inherent in our
Democratic system of government until the
mass of our people elevate themselves TO
higher and nobler plane of true manhood in
their citizenship. This higher plane were
easily attainable by the common people,
they only to dispose themselves TO obey the
dictates Of their reason and sense. How few
there are, com paratively, who, in their social
and political affairs generally, are guided by
their reason and judgment, by an intelligent
sense Of their duties. The requirements of
well ordered society impose obligations OF
positive duty upon all its mem ers, the first
and chief of which is, that each shall govern
himself according to the requirements OF all
his relations in society, or 10 the community of
which he is a member. No one can escape
the retrhutive consequences OF neglect or
violation Of duty. The adjustment Of retri-
button is absolutely memorable and cannot be
avoided. Society is always preJudiced to
some extent by any material delinquency of
the individual; and pFOpOrtiOnally by aggre-
gate delinquency. The trde happiness of the
individual is inseparaby blended with his
duty; and the happiness or well-being of
society is also absolutely dependent upon its
virtue. While society may prosperin its in
dustres and commerce, in the fabrication Of
wealth, in learning and science; yet, in the
absence Of virtuous and moral sentiment,
there win prevail, correspondingly, crime,
Injustice and oppression, and OF course suf-
fering ana want among the less wary, the i'm
provident and unfortunate. This IS a true
portrayal OF the condition OF the American
people; and our future is by no means
promising Of ameliOratiOn. The dark
shadows of increasing degradation and an
advance in general decentralization, obscure
our future. II seems that all the vile forces
OF vice iniguitv and decentralization are being
formulated, in the name of liberty, into
active antagonism to the true principles of
Democracy. This the deprayed adherents of
with all the light of experience and reason to
warn them against this SHINING against their
own true welfare, and that of society, that
most unaccountable and unreasoning dispo-
sitiOn to perverseness, the infrmity Of total
depravty attributed TO humanity in common,
seems TO impel them with increasing force to
abate or destroy all the better influences OF
true humanity in social life.
The immortal patriots who achieved our
national independence, and Instituted our
liberal system Of government, opened
lis portals wide as it were inviting 10 shores
and the protection Of our mild government,
with scarcely appreciabe restriction, the OPP
pressed of all nations, to find here refuge
from tyranny and despOtic violence, aud
aid Us, in the interests Of humanity, TO eS-
tend the empire Of reason, justice and sound
morality among our own people; these for
cign accCssiUns incorporated aud identified
in the common mass of citizens. What has
been the result? While their industry has
aided in achieving most gratifying progress
in the rapid development of our boundless
resources, our strength and power as q ma
ton, Of which so far we NAV all indulge
in a feeling OF grateful pride; yet,
however notifying, we must also acbnowl-
edge the deluge Of crime, vice. paupcrism
and lunacy, which overcasts all our pros
pcrity with the pail Of general dcbauchment
aud dcbasemeuL
In his public address in 81. Paul, the other
evening. Bishop Ireland gave some impor-
tant statistical information which may well
challenge the serious attention Of ali right
thinking men. Society. even In an ultra
democratic state, certainly has the right to
exert its restraining power upon all who com
NIT crime; and also upon all whose practices
or business tend 10 promote it or even eX-
cuses for it. Society owes it 10 itself and all
under its protection, that il reasonably re
strict any business when INDUCED in as a
license TO depravity and degradation, and
when It becomes evil, and evil only, in its
influence. Tne public judgment must form
uiate and then enforce the methods Of cor
rection. and sustain those charged with the
exertion Of its restrictive powers.
y. T. HAUsEE.