St. Paul daily globe., 1889-03-24
A DANGER sIGNAL.

~ SlON ~ u.
The curse that is degenerating society
to-day in larger portion of our repub-
lie is that character is valueless. To
be honorable and high-toned, heroic
ally virtuOus and faithful to principle
and the best interests of the country, is
to low-rank person in public estima-
ton. We observe immoral forces at
work everywhere undermining our in
stitutions, which not only threaten to
subvert,, but are rapidly subverting all
law and order, and breeding reckless
and revolutionary popdlace. We are
enyironed with the dangers of plutoracy
on one side and anarchism on the other.
Where is the remedy. and in what
direction does our salvation lie? are
questions that are Springing to the lips
OF the more thoughtful classes. We are
yalnglorious III our boaS tings about the
progress we have made over the prim-
tive times of our -forefathers; and yet
in our more Thoughtful moments we are
weighed down with the melancholy re-
Election that, in spite of all our moral,
religious and intellectual teaching, there
is marked decrease In the virtue OF the
American people.
Nor is it wonder that a moral ma
laria should blight the land when the
germ of the malady is found in the very
fountainhead of our political institu-
tions. The tendency of republican in
stitutions is to germ and develop eX-
treme individual selfshness. conse-
Quently inducing disregard of COM
munity or public rights, as we'll as pri-
vate. Hence the Overshadowing growth
and domination Of those imperium in
imperio masters of America-the great
corporations and rings of money brok-
ers. Those who are pointed out as the
leading and best citizens are those who
ayariclously grasp after money and
property, and who corrupt all the
branches of government to assist them
in securing it. And just there we find
the source from which originates that
other vicious element, the anarchists,
Thieves for their robbery have au-
thority, when the judges steal them
selves;" and so it is, when our lawmak-
erS become corrupt, the governed nat
urally have contempt for the laws that
are enacted.
Within the past few weeks we have
heard frequent accusations of corruption
preferred against our legislature; and
while there has been no evidence
to prove specific bribery, the ac-
ton of the Legislative body, in either re-
fuSing to investigate or in SuppresSing
the testimony when an investigation
was ordered, has imbedded in the pub
lie mind the suspicion that the accusa-
tions were true. We have not given
credence to the many ugly rumors that
were af1Oat, yet we confess to sense of
uneaSinesS and humiliation because the
legislature has not taken the active i'll
terest in vindicating its own good name
that was to be expected Of body COM
posed of pure and honorable gentlemen.
The impression has gone abroad that
the legislature has fallen a prey to the
corrupting influences of the money
power, and the moral effect of such an
impression is most disastrous. How
can it be expected to ihstill sound senti-
ments and induce honorable conduct in
the masses of the people when those
who are entrusted with the making and
execution of the laws pursue the re-
verse themselves? Example is better
than precept, and practice speaks more
potently than language, even though it
be put into the form of legal enact
mentS.
Thus we are impressed with the fact
that the only escape from the social and
political evils which menace our insti-
tutions is to place higher value on
character. In order to make progress
in essential betterments we must return
to the rugged virtues of our ancestors,
who, if not more learned than we, were
unquestionably wiser and purer. When
the time comes that men shall be chosen
to public station because of their pecu-
liar fitness; when none but those of ap-
proved honesty shall hold Office, and
when those of high moral and intel
lectual culture shall be advanced to
positions of distinction, then. and not
until then, will we escape the breakers
that are now ahead of us.