The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-04-09
POPULAR INDIGNATION.
Indications Point to Thorough and
Sweeping Reform.

Sweeping Reform.
Copyright Cable Special to New York Sun.
Most observers of English character would
have declared 1t impossible to arouse the
phlegmatic conscience and emotions of the
nation to such a pitch of intensity as is
to-day manifesting itself in all classes. The
horror, the loathing, the anger which the
revelations in connection with the Wilde
Queensberry case have caused can be COM
pared only. with one Of those whirlwinds
of passion which once in few decades
suddenly sweep over a nation and by their
very violence restore confidence in human
nature Not until to-day, apparently. has
the country realized that moral pestilence
in the atmosphere has long been doing
deadly work.
Already there are signs that the popular
revenge and reform will be indiscriminating
and unreasoning in their work. The finger
OF suspicion is already carrying condemna-
ton wherever it is pointed Many will
suffer fearful social penalties who are abb
soutely innocent; but the general effect
of the great onslaught of public opinion
which has now begun will be salutary and
for the purifying OF the nafi3n.
are ashamed 1t Is the first time have
ever seen the manifestation of this emotion
among them They feel that deep, black,
national disgrace has been uncovered, and
the feeling is the more poignant because
human to re sp mso 5 ager baeagh t 1h
shame upon them Is indescribable. 1t not
only. demands. the. swiftest and severest
punishment, but 1t has been instantly
turned against every art, every fad, every
Innovation with which those accused or
suspected have been Identified. To-day's
newspapers are unanimous for instance, in
pronouncing the doom of aestheticism and
the Teiegraph correctly voices public opin-
ion when 1t says:
If the general concern were only with
the man himself, his spurious brilliancy,
inflated egotism. diseased vanity cultivated
anectation, and shameless disayowal of all
morality. the best thing would be to dis
miss him and his deeds without word
TO the penalty Of universal condemnation.
self e Be inf the matter The
just verdict of yesterday must be held to
Include with him the tendency Of his pecu-.
liar career, the meaning and influence of
his teaching, and all those shallow and
specious arts by which he and his like
have attempted to establish a cult and
even to set up new schools OF literature,
the drama, and social thought.
ITO the fanatic beginnings of the new
school of ethical or literary principle no
particular objections could be urged. Never
theless, these men, linking certain real
profane mockery. have exercised visible
influence upon the generation cursed by
day, we are ashamed to declare, in the
outlying regions of the press where a GER
which has for its inspiration the salacious
impulse to go perpetually as close as can
be to the limits or public decorum and to
show Its smartness by irreverence, yelled
indelcacy, and. as farsas ii daTes, by VIOLA
ton of the sacredncss of private life. The
trail of this fetid fashion has penetrated
to our theatere. The shame and disgrace
of IT. has invaded art and we are asked
to admire nowadays specimens from the
II ae ana seoan
and mockery. + has passed, with heavy
damage to good taste and rightful amuse-
nent into the domain of fiction, so that
we see novel after novel aspire to mo-
of .prurient sexuality or of ignorant dis
The Chronicle recognizes the wide extent
of the evil and says: For long time
past London life.f or let say a small
and obscure section of. it., has been under
the shadow of a black cloud Everybody
has suspected and feared; nobody no de-
cent person. has known, that there was
some center whence most deadly infection
spread. 1t was apparent in certain class
of literature. Now Jury has declared
that even a man of unattractive character
has done a public benefit in branding one
of the most prominent figures of our drama,
our literature, and by no means un-
fashionable section of society. Suffice it to
know that as some return for the undam-
ming of the putrid stream, our life is rid
forever of a pestiferous poseur. The way
someness of life. Public opinion has been
so sharply screwed up in the past two
days that certain things in current art and
literature, no less than in conduct. will be
in,olerablo for at least long time to
come"
Regarding the measures which society,
thoroughly aroused and exaSperated,
will employ for dealing with the evil 1t
nay be said that the government has WISE
II decided upon sharp. rapid, and severe
last few days ample for the condemnation
Of several leaders OF the abominable coterie
which has 81, its ramihcations throughout
New York police parlarce. railroaded as
fast as possible to penal servitude.