The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1893-04-28
D~EM0RALIZED SOCIETY.

The stories Of the two crimes recently
committed near Scranton, the details ol
which are given in another column, point
Il moral 40 clearly that comments arc
not necessary, aud arc examples OF u wide
spread and growing decentralization
among the young men Of our community.
1t has been known and commented upon
for a number of years that there existed
in this community n gang of tousfr boys,
young fellows in their teens whs led
lives of malicious deeds, of crap shooting
aud other species of gambling, OF the va.
rious vices common to boys. but one dar-
ed not think TINT the dcpravity in NOR
al natures of these boys had become so
deep seated as prompt such crimes as
have come to light, and which, before ex-
ecuting, the most hardened criminal out
cast would shudder Mt the thought.
Ii is a matter Of deep chagrln for us to
acknowledge, hut the fact stands ont I'M
deniahly clear that Scranton, where
known, has u most unsavOry Iepnta.
ton as a place Of morals, g%entecl society
and the other sraces that give charm to
Il community. Judge by comparison, if
you will, and where do you find u town
Of the population and wealth Of Scranton
where exists u lower state OF morality 7
Where so many of the young men may
DO classed us night pool-loom or bar
room loaiesi Where churches are 30
scnnt,ly attended and supported 7 Where
young boys are not taught to respect
the Sabbath day nor the feelings of
others, the ignorance of such lessons to
allow them to stand by the side Of Il
church on Sundays during services aud
| play at base ball. rs was noted last Sun
day Where nothing in the way Of So
cial muse ents prove an attraction ex-
cept it be of Il light worldly nature
card parties or dances-secm in. to be no
higher aspirations other than to Shave
II good time" regardless Of the influences
exerted on the Young. When children
sit and hear the laws Of our State decried,
the Sunday law rUundly abused, aud
those opposed to their views classed as
religious fanatics aud hypocritcs, is it any
wonder that tho Is youthful ~depravity,
and that drpravcd influences gradually
entice and wind around the plants in al.
most every family circle!
The DEMOCR AT-STAR Is identified with
this community, and has always labo,ed
fnr the towns best interests, aud what is
said is prompted by non other than hon
est convictions dutifully presented.
The statement of these things will do no
harm, if they are right. II the existing
conditions are wrong, they should be
righted. We are aware from journalistic
experience, and by personal knowledge
that the people Of Scranton do not see
em,elves as others SEQ them aud linn
tied to the borlc rs OF our W State, ev-
cry in telligent man who has u personal
knowledge of the different sections, read.
lily notes the CO ntrast in society. Poo-
pie arc ever ready to sheer ut such crit,-
clsms, and pick ont some n as an ex-
ample of the creation of their opponents
views, and hold mp such an one to the
light Of ridicule and scorn, accepting II
! part as an embodiment of the whole, but
that is the argument of the hoodlum,
and has in 1t neither truth nor logic.
Society must be pure, enabling and
i%mplegnated with lofty moral ideas If the
lives of Young boys and girls are to be
toward the ideal. What is the tendency
10 Scranton How run the influences
that are daily being excrtsd' Scranton
people should stop aud think on these
things.
The causes of this state Of reckless de-
pravity cannot be limited to any ono
thing, except it be summed up under ono
general head -the lack of moral re.
s%traint. Yellow back literature plays its
part, but it does not compare with tho
utter disregard 10 other social structures.
OF course what is said here does not in
clude the entire community. There sic
as good people here as anywhere to DO
found, whose influences and teachings
are of the highest moral IDEAS, and it
must also be recognized that every town
and city nourish bands Of hoodlnms, yet
in this latter particular the Gulf Coast
towns and villages are ~deplorably in
1,cted, and it must be admitted, they ars
in the majority among the youths. But
it has been left to Scranton to furnish an
extraordinary example of incipient out
lawry. Let MS hope that tho events of
the past week will purify the atmosphere
and that the turning Of the tide will soon
been noted.