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

ShA M Il - CAhNIt "A II.
For months past the moral sensibiIi-
ties of the community have been almost
daily shocked by the recital of crimes of
unusual boldnesS aud atrOcity. Breaches
of trust by men previously held in high
estimation have been frequent; defaI-
cations in financial institutions have as
sisted reckless and prodigal manage
ment in precipating failure, while the
more vulgar, though in some. respects
less dangerous highwayman has pur-
sued his ayocation with boldness aud
daring that amaZes and paralyzeS the
authorities. Crimes of various descrip-
lions anddegreeS have become alarming
ly 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 thriv-
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 noviceS in crime pre-
Ter to work for their subsistence rather
than run the risk of prison cell by re-
sorting to robbery. In hard times those
who are criminal from choice are driven
to desperate resorts, and run great hsz-
ards. Their ranks are largely recrated
from the hosts of unemployed work
men. A few of these latter NAV DO
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-
ously inculcated, not only by the anar-
chIstic and socialistic propagandist S. but
by those assuming higher plane
OF political ana social morality. The
divine edict that by the sweat Of ms
brow man snail earn bread is at war
with modern SocialiStic theories, and
the many questionable acts OF those
who have been favored by fortune and
assume to De leaders among men has a
tendency to diScredit cOufid ence in the
efficacy of honest industry. REGULATIONS
In official position have been followed
by detaicatiOnS IN business life, and
these in turn through all the gradations
OF crime-petty theft, burglary. rol,
berry, freebootlng and murder. Plunder
is the ain of all. Disregard of the
rights. the property aud the lives of
others is everywhere manifest.
Perhaps This demOraiization oI our
social fabric is inSeparable from exist
ing conditions. Ii 50. it increases the
responsibility of those VINO are resp0n-
sib!e for those conditions. The strin-
gency in money is the result OF 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 insXurable.
If we plant thistleS we cannot expect to
reap wheat. "IIe who s0weth the wind
shall reap the whiriwind.'' Oar false
prophets of finance and political econ
0my have for years been planting the
seeds OF our present harvest of crime
They have been nursing Il favored class
from the proceeds of the toll of the mill
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 garnered. the out
ragged and despOiled victims of their
rapacity are rising to fend them.
Society is undergoing crucial trial.
lis very foundations are threatened. 1t
tolerateS i'll its midst men who have be
trayed the most sacred trusts, and
worships at the shrine of Mammon.
Moral worth is despsed unless sus-
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 revuI-
sion in tie 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 a sense of their duty to-
ward their fellow men, the lower strata
Will become more amenabie 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 in 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 it
in the minuteSt detail, not only us to the