The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-27
Pessimism Rebuked.


decline to believe in the low morality
that is so frequently attributed to the
business world. l believe the average
OF men are better, more honest, more
high minded today than they were when
this closing century began. The world
cannot grow in all the sentiments that
make for liberty, for generosity, for hu-
man amelioration of the criminal and
the unfortunate without gaining at the
same time in fidelity and common hon
esty.
In the Homeric days the deceltful
smartness of Ulysses was admired equal
ly with the prudence of Nestor and the
prowess Of Hector and Achilles. The
moral attributes had no place in private
business or official relations. / rejoice
10 think that mere commercial smartness
is now regarded as an admirable quality
only among such as engage in bunco
games or green-goods enterprises. 1t is
easy for the fiippant cynic to assert with
broad generalization that the grocers put
sand In the sugar: that the coal dealer
uses false balances; that the lawyers he
tray their clients; that the incumbents
OF public office are mercenary and car
rupt; that offices are bought; that the
franchise of the voters are only mer-
chandise, and that private integrity and
public virtue are at very low ebb.
These, however, are not the opinions of
the men who are the busiest and most
potential in our affairs. Such Is not the
evidence of the clear-minded generous
hearted, prosperous masses of the people.
Inc ONES VINO lnlnh InlS are tney VINO
have either failed in their own ambitions,
or have kept aloof from the stirring ac-
tivities of their fellowmen, and have
Judged them from the records of loss. OF
failure, or disgrace which the world wide
sweep of the newsgatherer brings to
their eyes on each recurring morning.
A Perpetual Progression.
You will constantly be told that our
legal and political systems must be
modified and -doctored in order to cure
them of impele actions. AS often as some
outcropping of human barbarism appears
from time to time in the midst of our
civilization II Is seized upon as proof
that our laws are inappropriate or in
adequate and legislative changes OF vital
and sweeping nature are prescribed as
cure-alls for the supposed legal ills.
1t is probable that in every case the
remedy would be worse than the disease
The trouble is not with the system; 1t
IL rather the imperfection and limitations
Of human nature, which cannot every
where at once and forever attain TO COM
plete subsection of the evil impulses that
inhabit the heart of man. Broadly and
widely the influences OF law and order, OF
gentleness and humanity, are spreading
over our land and among our people, a
perpetual progression toward the ideal
Of perfect law and perfect peace. But
only the visionary and impractical mind
expects TO sec the ideal attained until
| the millennium comes and the forces of
| evil are chained for a thousand years,
Meanwhile we can rejoice IN the good al
| ready attained and hope that in the new
| century the sweet influences OF rsasona-
bleness and enlightenment OF comfort
| and prosperity, will sway in still greater
measure the hearts and conduct OF our
! people.