St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-09-24
CRIMES CARNIVAL,

For months past the moral SenSibiii-
ties of the community have been almost
daily shocked by the recital of crimes of
unusual boldnesS and atrocitv. Breaches
of trust by men previously held in high
estimation have been frequent; defal-
cations in financial institutions have as
sisted reckless and prodigal manage
ment in precipating failure, while tho
more vulgar, though in some respects
less dangerous highWayman has pur-
sued his ayocation with bOldneSS and
daring that amazes and paralyZeS the :
authorities. Crimes of various descrip-
tons and degrees have become alarming
~ common, but assaults upon property
have been unusually numerous and
fragrant.
This epidemic Of crime is not an
anomaly. 1t is Legitimate resuIt-the
direct fruit-of the prevailing hard
times. When money is plentiful, and
manufactures and commerce are thirty
ing. we hear of comparatively little vio-
lence. The vicious find it easy to OBJ
tain money from the gulIible, and do
not have to resort to eXtremities, while
those who are but noyiceS in crime pre-
fer to work for their subsistence rather
than run the risk of a prison cell by re-
sorting to robbery. In hard times those
who are criminal from choice are driven
to desperate resorts, and run great haZ-
ards. Their ranks are largely recraited
from the hosts of unemployed work
men. A few Of these latter NAV ba
driven by necessity to the preparation
OF crime, but vast majority. it will be
found on investigation. are lacking in
moral principle, or are the products of
vicious political theories. The idea that
the world owes man living is studi-
Ousiy inculcated, not only by the anar-
chlstlc and SOcialstic propagandist S, but
by those assuming higher plane
OF political ana social morality. The
divine edict that by tile sweat Of his
brow man snail earn bread is at war
with modern socialistic theories, aud
the many questionable aciS OF those
who have beeu favored by fortune and
assume TO De leaders among melt has a
tendency to diScredit cOnfid ence in the
efficacy of honest Industry. REGULATIONS
III official position have been followed
10y defatcatiOnS IN business life, and
these III turn through all the gradations
of crime-petty theft, burglary, rol,
berry, freebOutiug and murder. Piunder
is the AHA of all. Disregard of the
rights, the property aud the lives of
others is everywhere manifest.
Perhaps this decentralization uI our
social fabric is iuseparable from exist
III
responsibility OF those VINO are respDn-
sib!e for those conditions. The strin-
gency in money is the result OF Il per
nicious system of fiuance designed to
enhance the fortunes of few at the
expense OF the many. Glass legislation
is bearing its legitimate fruits. The
law of cause aud effect is inexnrable.
If we plant thiStleS we cannot expect to
reap wheat. "IIe who sOweth the wind
shall reap the whiriwind." Oar false
prophets of finance and political econ
omy have for years been planting the
seeds Of our present harvest of crime.
They have heen nursing IL favored class
from the proceeds of the toll of the milf
ions. aud now. when the falsity of their
promises Is being made manifest, when
the first fruits of their vineyard of ex-
clusiveneSS are being garnerGd. the out
ragged and despoiled victims of their
rapacity are rising to rend them.
Society is undergoing crucial trial
lis very foundations are threatened. 1t
toierates i'll its midst men who have be
trayed the most sacred trusts, and
worships at the shrine OF Mammon.
- RI Il
tanned by gOodly bank account, and
intellectual superiority goes a-begging
while mediocrity sits enthroned upon
the pedestal OF honor. How long will
it last? The existing epidemic Of crime
must and will be succeeded by reyul-
sion in the near future. With the over
throw of the artificial arist0cracy that
has assumed leadership ia political,
business aud social life the atmosphere
will be purified. As the upper classes
are aroused to sense Of their duty to
ward their fellow men. the lower strata
will become more amenabe to their
moral obligations, and crimes due to
socialism will disappear. while the
armed banditti now terroriZing the
country will be driven from existence.
All Will depend, however, upon the
manner in which existing conditions
shall be settled. Glass distinctions must
be wiped out, so far as legislation is
concerned, and ''the guinea's stamp"
must no longer be the passport to the
recognition of manhood.
A reformation iii business methods
and social customs can alone stay the
| reign Of lawlessness in the lower orders.
| They must be taught to respect the law,
not alone 10y feeling its penalties, but
! by seeing those above them observe il
in the minuteSt detail, not only us to the
| letter, but as to the spirit.