The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1900-03-31
IS PROFANITY INCREASING.

An organized movement has been
set on foot in Albany, N. Y, by the
Holy Name Society of St. Johns
Catholic Church, with the intent of
lessening the profanity of that city.
At the head of it is Dr. Lynch, rector
Of the Cathedral, who made some
startling statements at a public meet
ing in support of the movement. He
compared ''the prevalence of the habit
at the present time to the condition
which prevailed 400 years ago, when
in Italy, France, Germany and es-
pecially England blasphemous oaths
were almost universal, with the re-
suit that St. Bernardino, of Siena,
raising on high the cross of Christ,
with the holy name written above the
figure of the crucified Saviour, preach
ed against its abuse with all the ardor
OF MS soul.
While it must be admitted there is
entirely too much profanity, both in
private talk and in the thoughtless or
ribald utterances of the streets, it is
doubtful if the vice is as bad as paint
ed by the reverend Doctor. He must
largely get his information second
hand, as it is not likely his parish
ioners or any one else would swear
much in his presence. That there is
much profanity used nowadays no one
can truthfully deny. But to say the
practice is almost universal is going
too far. Regard for the name of Del
ty is not the only reason for refrain
ing from the use of profane words
that influences men. Many without
fixed religious belief, and many 9th
ers who don't believe in God or
hereafter, equally with the most de-
vout object to the proclamation of
names generally regarded as sacred.
With them it is matter of good taste
or delicate regard for the sensibili-
ties of their more religious friends.
Their refraining from profanity be-
comes as much habit in time as its
use by others. Unfortunately, how
ever, there is large class of men
who use profanity habitually and
thoughtlessly.
The main question is not whether
profanity is on the increase, but why
should it exist at all Exceptional
cases may be excused, like Washing
ton at Monmouth, but as a rule pro-
family is as useless as Objectionable
especially when it involves the name
of the Deity. An orator would not
think of employing it to add force of
a rounded period. No one thinks of
indulging in it when talking to a lady,
minister of the Gospel or any one
who claims high respect for gentle-
manly qualities or has fine sensitive
moral nature. Ifto be impressive or
digni6ed profanity is out Of place.
what is the use of it on any occasion
Reason condemns it. Largely it is :
simply thoughtless habit, acquired
i in youth under the false idea that it
! is manly, like the first cigar. When
--~7.-;-ad Il. is not lost. aa4;fJ. The
worst profanity one hears on the
street, or perhaps the most noticeable,
comes from the lips of boys. 1t is
not all viciousness, but the natural re-
suit of initiating seniors. Reform,
then, must begin with the latter and
this must come primarily from a.
change of moral nature and secondly
from the understanding that hippant
profanity CRATES on sensitive ears.
When it is once decreed that profan-
ity is not an attribute of the gentle
man, fashion will frown on it, and
then it will cease to exist save among
the vulgar.