Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-04
LAX MORALITY.
An Interesting Question for Moralists to
Consider.

From the san Francisco News Letter.
Is the world wickeder than in the days of our
forefathers? is a question that frequently pre-
| sents itself to the thoughtful mind and one
that is often discussed by the moralists of the
day. We have been asked our opinion on the
subject. and therefore will try to consider it
justly and impartially. Is vice more apparent?
Yes, and no. In the time of Louis XIV of
France and Charles ii of England the court
life of both of these monarchs was one of I'M
bridled profligacy. but it was confined to the
court and its followers. We read of as high
standard of private virtues in those days as in
any other before or since. In fact, it must be
always SO, that glaring exhibition of dissolute
habits brings a counter action and revolt and
disgust fully verifying POpe's well-known lines:
Vice is monster Of 50 frs frish 1 mien.
So far as the example shown by the higher
classes, surely at no time since the days of an
cient luxury and license have there been more
striking illustrations of immortality than exhib-
tied by the court life of the Second Empire of
France. and the doings of the present Prince of
Wales and his coterie. Therefore, We say no"
to the question. lis the world wickeder now
than ever before?"
Where we answer Eyes is that vice is more
apparent-in our land, at least-by the coarse
ness with which it is paraded In older coun-
tries ana more p0llSneu circles. renne ment ana
culture gilt and gloss over irregularities of
conduct and morals. Here, on the contrary it
Is gold alone that serves to gid in such glaring
tints the Offenses committed against prOpriety.
and even decency, by the pOssessOrs of coin.
Ii only serves to make the wickedness more
distinct. until people have grown to think and
act as though millions of money. like charity.
covered a multitude of sins. and the social
crimes of the rich are condOned by society
where ostracism would be the penalty of the
poor. There is the whole matter in nutshell.
The vulgar HOuUedu riche considers he may sin
against every code Of morals and conrendnoe,
if only he Cor she) pays enough for their so do
ing to grant them immunity from censure
We think these lapses from straight path
and conventional line of action. that so often
become the talk of our community. are the
more disgusting from the fact that they are pa
raded before the public gaze with a coarse in
difference which would be absolutely shocking
i'll any city of the old world. and not tolerated
by polite society.
That immortality pervades the highest circles
In Europe Is true, but 1t Is at least yelled under
the semblance of decency. The proprieties are
strictly looked to and maintained, but with us
they are thrown aside. The ''go-as-yOu-please"
gait INDUCED in by husbands and wives is an
outrage upon purity of morals. Then, too.
another great cause of the wickedness of the
day may be found in the society literature
where uncOntined, untrammeled nature CD is
Taught to be the mark of originality and
genius. Books deal with topics which in our
grandmother's days would have brought
a blush to the cheek of an old stager. Cues
tions are boldly discussed by men and young
women of which said young women ought to
be IN profound ignorance. Look at the So
ciety life of to-day. Enter any draw
ing room, social gathering or quiet home circle.
What topic is most generally in conversation?
Gossip. Does art or science ever find place in
the talk? is high standard of principle and
life, both public and private. held up as the re-
quirement for position and esteem? Is it not
rather true that success. whether political or
social. is awarded the brightest smile, most
cordial appreciation. no matter by what means
1t has been won? Purity of mind and morals is
regarded as something one used to read about
and theorize of in glowing terms. But alas
one does not even read of such things now. APP
parently the more impure the fiction of the day
the greater the sale of the book
The charge Is sometimes made that men are
not as courteous to ladies as they should be-
Ii this be SO, is it not the fault of the ladies
themselves! The gentle Difference and respect
shown women in past ages cannot be expected
when the freedom of speech and freedom of
action allowed our young girls result in a loose
ness OF tone III the social system deplorable to
view. Unless a woman respects herself she
cannot expect to receive that tribute from men,
and so long as the lax code of morals exhibited
III the present day fashionable life obtains. one
cannot stop to query. is this the wickedest
stage the world has reached?"