The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-11-24
IMMORAL TENDENCIES OF THE
LITERATURE OF THE DAY.

To the modern student of physics there
is nothing in the field of view but matter
Motion and force are but states of matter
developed by qualities inherent in that
matter and thus the entire domain of mind
and spirit, of philosophy, of morals and of
religion is swept out of sight, to be no
longer considered or regarded. This being
the status of physical science. and its mas
tiers arrogate to themselves the credit of
having at last got down to hard facts, to
the naked truth, it is not strange that such
doctrines have pervaded the theory and
practice of life, and. by consequence, of
the literature which essays to picture life.
This is the sort of literature known as real
istic. In the realistic school the attempt
is to paint nature as it is to describe people
from their material side. In portrait
every mole and scar must be delineated:
nothing must be idealzed All material
filth must be pictured as it is; nothing
must be left to the imagination. In de-
scribing the people who animate the
painted scenes, they must be shown off
with all their modern vilcness in detail,
since the literary artist, unlike the physical
philosopher, cannot ignore morals. He
must deal with them; but he commonly
chooses the most depraved and blasted
type of morals for his most prominent
characters, while evil thoughts and wicked
actions furnish the chief theme for such a
writer. But, of course, not all modern
fiction is coined with the stamp Of deprav-
ity. Many books deal with rather harm
less sort of people as things go; but they
are nearly all destitute of any sort OF regard
for or recognition Of any principles of
virtue, morality or justice.
In od-time literature, no matter of what
nation, there was always a clear and
unequivocal regard for the worth of virtue
and the righteousness and justice of the
final doom which is always served out to
the Williams in the plot. This sort of recog-
milton of moral responsibilities as to right
and wrong was for long time the chief
motive power in all dramatic productions
and stage plays. The innocent and vir-
tuous personages, after having been iicrcely
beset by Williams of the deepest dye, were
always at last brought to happy deliver
ance, while their prosecutors and tormen-
tors were delivered to doom beiitting
their crimes Who is there that has not
seen the entire audience in theater thrilled
Il,
ing troubles to which the good and the
innocent were exposed through the acts of
Williams, and WHO has failed to take part in
the hurricane of applause when the trucu
lent and cruel wrOngers of innocence
received their Just dues. Even the worst
men in such an audience are carried away
by generous human sympathy and sense
of right and justice. There have been few
races of men who were devoid of this sense
of Justice, but necessarily it has been
chiefly developed among the peoples that
have adopted the two great religions of the
modern world, Christianity and Moham-
mechanism OF course, just and righteous
judgment in some state. either present or
future, is one of the fundamental doctrines
of Christianity, as it is of Moslemism. 1t
is nowhere more beautifully taught than in
that gorgeous and wonderful collection of
stories, the arabian Nights And upon
that doctrine for a long period, all litera-
ture was founded,
But in this age of materalism, another
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villany and the downfall of virtue and
honesty are portrayed. In such books the
prayers of the righteous are not answered.
They are oppressed by the very worst
influences; but every ear, human and
divine, is shut to their appeals. Vice
faunts in fine linen and purple, and vii
liany prospers and fattens; while virtue
goes in rags and honesty languishes in
rags where the happy rascals ought to be.
That these pictures of life from the mater
ialistic and pessimistic standpoint are often
true there is no question. That iniquity
often prospers tiourshes like the Psalm
lists green bay tree, " is not to be doubted
but the sacred poet did not fall into de-
spair at the spectacle. He believed that
there was to be, at some time or other, a
settlement, an evening-up, a Judgment,
when all the wrongs would be righted.
And is there not to be? The entire idea
of human justice is simply reflection of
divine justice; it is the glimmer of some
thing bright and glittering, the terrible
sword of truth. Why shall we not rest on
hope of better things The writer of