The record-union., 1898-02-21

done save by laws. What are laws
but the embodiments of justice? Gov
ernment is simply an institution which
by just laws endeavors to regulate the
relations between men for their truest
development. Justice is the founda-
tion upon which society rests, and thus,
in tones in which the prophet of old
seems to ring once more, Carlyle de-
clares: Justice! justice. Woe betide us
everywhere when for this reason or
that we fail to do justice. There is but
one thing needed for the world, but
that one thing is indispensable. Justice
in the name of heaven. Give us justice,
and we live. Give US only counter
felt of it, and we die
There are many remedies to replace
justice. but 1 doubt their efficiency. ]
do not deny the value of wise and
discriminate charity There will always
be thousands who will need its minister
ing hands, bat to look to it as the cure
all of evils or the foundation stone
of society is indicative of nearsighted-
ness. Sentimentality and vapid gush
of love does more harm than good. So
called charity has been instrumental in
increasing its own volume of trade. The
growth of pauperism is directly trace
able to unwise sympathy. There. Is
more real charity in justice than there
is charity in charity without justice"
l shall not now speak of the numerous
movements to heal the gaping wounds
of society Suffice it to say that had
justice been done when justice was
necessary there would not now be any
sores requiring attention.
a n he CT nf
tions Will reveal the truth of the mes
sage of Amos. A nation may be pros
porous, with gold flowing necessarily
into its Golfers. with widened territory
and enlarged ambition, and in all out
ward signs resembled beautiful summer
fruit-a thing of beauty, perhaps joy
forever. The real question is: rs II
sound at the heart?" Has It the core Of
equity and right? If not, Cas-
sandra of evil will soon be heard pro-
claiming its doom. See Rome at the
very hight of her power, mistress of
land and of sea, at the time when to
be a Roman was greater than a King.
She presented a spectacle beautiful TO
see. but sad to contemplate. With un-
told wealth streaming in from all quar-
ters, her armies planting her banners
on new lands, her legions treading the
mountain Businesses of the then in
habited globe-she proudly earned the
title of Queen of the Seven Hills"
And yet, at the very hight of prosper
ity, decay was going on. The worm OF
injustice was eating at the vitals of Ro-
man manhood. Society was divided
into numerous classes. Clashes be-
tween the patricians and the plebians
We're of daily occurrence. The courts
were corrupt; trade was piratical; the
leading men We're bribe- givers and
bribe- takers. All in ALL Rome pre-
sented a picture similar to that which
called forth the speeches OF Amos. The
doom came and the Imperial City was
soon numbered with the ruins of en-
pires.
and where she will be in fifty years
ciple of justice in the case of Greece
and Babylon, we instance in a hurried
way the country of Spain. This nation,
from occupying the first position in Eu-
rope, now boasts to be a fifth-rate Pow
er. She is sinking lower and lower.
and where she vii be in fifty yearls
hence is not a matter of much doubt
to farsighted statesmen. The answer
to her present humiliation is easily told.
Injustice and corruption. Cuba will
testify.
Cast eyes across the Atlantic just
north of Spain, and behold a further ex-
emplification of the teaching that only
upon Righteousness can a nation live
and fulfill its destiny France is In
the throes of moral revolution such
as she has never before witnessed. Not
q nf 1c hut nf a
between light and darkness, right and
might What is the picture? France, a
basket of rosy fruit A flush is on her
cheeks, but it is the flush of fever
within. of weakness at the heart Fair
is her exterior with grace, courtliness,
politeness and polished finesse. But her
heart? Lasciviousness is mistress.
Morality is lax; marital infidelity is on
the increase. Her press is largely
venal and much of her literature foul.
Many of her men of prominence live
off the earnings of wickedness. Injus-
tice holds the scales. France to-day
is one large whited sepulcher. Few are
the exceptions.
France is now at the hight of pros
perity Now when she is about to as
tonish the world with her great fair,
humble classes, but a Zola from the
hubble class, but a Zola from the
wealthy and the learned. He is called
to set his country right. He is called
TO preach, proclaim against his country
for her SINS And his message runs as
follows: France, thou art basket of
fruit; rotten is thy core. What does
God ask of thee but to do justice and
TO love mercy? What cares He for your
refinement and your manners? They
are simply the externals of society, even
as ceremonies are the forms Of relig-
ion What to Him are -our festivals
and your fairs? They are signs of
physical strength and materialistic ad-
vance. What exposition of justice
canst thou give to win the approba-
tion of humanity"
1t is not a cry that France loves to
hear. The truth is unpalatable. She
loves her Zola when he writes fiction;
she spurns him when he indites truth.
His cry for justice to Captain Dreyfus
means justice 10 whole race and to
the world His arraignment, like that
of Amos. reveals sores and wounds 1t
involves the pfobity of the army; the
honesty Of the nobility. 1t unearths
hellish conspiracy.
What answer does she give. but slur
and insult. 'Tis well; such cowardly
action is the best confession. The best
men in France, and, to her credit. be it
said, there are many of Zolas moral
courage in that unfortunate land. are
beginning to read Alright the message
OF justice. What will happen to Zola
and to Dreyfus we know not, but of one
fs.rr tts.s a. f,,,