The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-05-29
IMPROVE.
THE WORLDS MORAL IMPROVE
MENT.


MENT.
There is no intention in this article
Of cutting into the apple of d.scord be-
tween legislation and moral suasion on
questions. outside Of criminal law
which affect the we'll being Of individ-
uaIs and organized society. But it is in
order 10 invite attention to the enor-
nous moral improvement that has been
manifested in the world during the last
century. which, however due to selfish
as we'll as altruistic considerations Is
equally conspicuous and equally bene-
fetal. The necessities of mankind, in
all the teeming relations of modern
progress. have compelled and enforced
better rules of life. and have raised the
level. moral as well as intellectual, of
the units and aggregates of commune
ties and nations.
The partition of Poland could not be
repeated in the Twentieth Century.
The reconstruction of Finland, in order
TO bring the Finnish people within the
grasp of the Russian octopus, though
bad enough in itself, and involving
breach of an Imperial oath, was not an
attempt to exterminate race, and was
vigorously denounced throughout Chris
tendon, and as consequence percep-
tibIy modified. The rebellions and at
tempted revolutions of 1s4s, though po-
lfticaI failures, largely increased the
measure of personal freedom and
wholesome legislation throughout Eu-
rope. and contributed to the consolida-
ton of Italy, the formation of the Re
public of France, and the vast develop
which eternal principles control per-
sonaI tyrannies. Our own Civil War
was conducted and ended for the sup
preston of rebellion and the final
establishment of national unity, but in
tense and protracted though the. con-
hict was. it was pervaded and followed
by the amenities of civilization.
These are conspicuous and suggestive
examples of the outcome of modern
education and experience. But, even
more fudThc4 ~ tie plO6LCSo OA Lie
world in relation to individuals and
society. AS examples, the vice of
drunkenness has diminished and the
purity of women is more effectively
protected. A hundred years ago, and
until a much later period, naval and
military officers. at least many of them,
OF all Recognized nationaIities, when off
duty, commanded respect by the hard
ness of their heads and their amorous
successes. Now. in every known ser
vice, conspicuousIy in the United States
and in Great Britain, officers, who be-
come intoxicated or who misuse their
are not only liable to
reprimand and dismissal, but are
despised by their associates. A hun
dred years ago, the social value of a
was distributed into grades.
from the man who could absorb one
bottle of port to the heroic imbiber of
four. and he who could not drink hard
liquors besides was regarded as fedg-
ling. In these days. drunken guest at
a dinner party, even of stays, is thor
oughly disgraced, and, where both sexes
are represented, gentlemen usually rise
with the ladies. In governmental de-
partments. in railroad systems, in i'm
portant business enterprises of every
description the rule of sobriety is en-
forced, and, through all the strata of
population, to considerable degree is |
observed. There are many |
places in which even cigarettes are
tabooed. The unwritten law has been
or revived, that, under the !
pain of exclusion and degradation, |
wives. sisters, and daughters are shield |
ed and guarded. not only by their nat
ural protectors, but by every man who |
is not reprobate and an outcast
The world advances morally and |
spiritually, as well as materially, and |
the intricacies and complexities of the
Twentieth Century demand and receive |
the sanction of the Moral Code. Now,
as in all past history, the pessimists are
mere Instructions in the upward march. !
$
cHERUBS TO THE RESCUE.