Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-01-07
EDUCATION AND CRIME,

The subject Of education IN It's rela-
ton 10 crime, has been discussed dur
Ing the very interesting and profitable
convention or school teachers In this
city. We believe that the big gather
ing Of pedagogues will result IN much
good to the cause OF education IN Utah,
aud think It has given opportunity for
the demonstration Of the fact that great
advances have been made In the art
OF teaching and In the experience and
qualifications Of the Instructors OF our
young people. We congratulate them
on the high character OF their conven-
tion and the abilitiea Il has been tho
occasion OF displaying
The question whether crime can be
overcome by education has been much
debated for many years At one time
the notion was held IN educational cir
ces that ignorance was the cause OF
crlisy After Il was clearly demon~
strated that a large proportion Of the
country's criminals were educated per-
sons, the pendulum Of theory swung to
the other extreme, and II was argued
that education increased crime. The
subject OF the relation between the two
Is stu open for dispute and It Is some
what amusing to watch the contest
Chrlsts doctrine was, evidently, that
sin Ia to be graded as to its enormity
by the knowledge had by the sinner
This Is the condemnation" said lie,
that Hight is come into the world
and men love darkness rather than
light because their deeds are eyil"
This does not show that Hight causes
sin, or that education causes crime, but
It does show that sin and crime are
committed IN spite Of light and knowl-
edge, and that ignorance does not ac-
count for evil tendencies or actions. II
also announces the justice Of judgment
against the offender according to the
understanding he has OF right and
wron.
Education can be accredited only
with It's power to increase the guilt OF
It's possessor when he is criminal He
who knows most can offend most A
criminal disposition can be stimulated
10 wrongdolng by the cultivation OF it's
powers through education. The edu-
Gated criminal Ia the most dangerous Of
law breakers It Is true that moral
training is an essential part OF true
education. But It IL also fact that the
most persistent efforts IN that direc-
ton are without effect on some minds
except TO sharpen their faculties and
render them more than ever cupable
when they transgress
But does that afford any argument
Truth Is naturally eleyating IN us ef-
fects and every principle OF truth is OF
value, Its diffusion adds to the sum of
human knowledge and helps the nor
mai recipient 10 advance in goodness
as well as understanding Even the
criminal mind that Is not Imperyious
to It's influence may be induced by its
inculcation TO turn from evil The or
binary mind Is bettered by education.
The criminal mind is In the minority.
There are various causes leading to
that condition Hcredity has some
thing to DO with IT, but It Is not so
potent as It Is imagined to be. Back
Of all influences, inherited or surround
lng the individual is that yolitiou, or
Will or personal agency which ren-
ders the being accountable for yoIun-
tary acts, and makes just the doctrine
OF rewards and punishments
Educatlou-the diffusion Of useful
knowledge. the drawing out Of the
powers OF the pupil, mental spiritual
and physical-is "a be promoted by cy-
cry rational means. lts preycptors
should be encouraged and well remu-
nerated, The fact that q comparative
~ few persons, who are abnormal or
through choice, pursue IA path Of evil,
are rendered more able BY education TO
indulge IN sin and commit crime and
evade detection and earthly punish
ment argues nothing against education
In general Az well might fine cooking
be abolished because It helps TO make
some folks goumands, as to make
against education because it helghteus
the power for evil In the wrongly dis
posed and criminal class
TO him who knoweth 20 do good and
doeth It not, to him II is sin" said the
Apostle OF old, Certainly. Light and
truth carry responsibility Modern rev.
elation declares, Behold, here Is the
agency Of man, and here Is the con.
domination Of man; because that which
VAS from the beginning ia plainly man.
fest unto them. and they receive not
the light There is the principle, The