The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1908-01-18
EPIDEMIC OF CRIME.

An epidemic of lawlessness, with its consequent
fruits. mischief. misdemeanors and crime. seems
to have visited this community. The frequency of
minor offenses and the dastardly character of few
of the major has caused feeling of uneasi-
to prevail. In some quarters it has provoked
Indignation. in others bitter denunciation The
causes are variously attributed in such instances
The politician finds in such conditions excuses for
an attack on political enemies in power, whether
the object be to cunningly make capital for future
compaigns or to seek revenge for disappointed
hopes. 1t is easy to lay hard times at public Of
fieials door, when the public mind is in state of
discomfort 1t is then in a receptive mood and is
prepared to swallow any bait. Whether criminals
judge this safe field for their operations due to
the incapacity and carelessness of those who arc
guardians Of the public safety or whether it is
simply one of those moral waves that at intervals
sweep into communities like an epidemic of grippe
or measles; whether it is due to. the migration
in this direction Of bands of marauders. who act
IN unison and have particular reason for visit
ing one place more than another, except that it is
on their line of march, shall not venture to say
The condition may be due TO a combination of
circumstances. If so, we should refrain from pas
sion or interest in laying the blame too quickly at
any particular door, lest we do some one a grave
injustice. But there is one thing that is certain
that crimes and criminals are not produced by re-
igious influences or by the reception of religious
teachings. There is another thing almost as GER
tain, and that is, where religious influence does not
reform mans life and religious teachings are not
included in his sum of practical knowledge he is
very much more exposed to become not only use
less citizen, but dangerous member of society
The engine may run faster without governor
but it viii not run safely. We twentieth century
independence-loving philosophers have wisely de-
cided to do without moral governors. We are even
liable to speak flippantly of those influences that
kept other generations in the path of righteousness
such a religion with fixed teachings and binding
commandments. Why, pure, unrestricted intellect
ual and moral freedom, cut loose of old-fogyisn,
is our slogan. Let stop for while and reflect.
Let US gust ask ourselves <'and what has been the
result" If practical this question must
force itself upon us. If we are interested in the
fate of posterity and not mere parasites feed
ing the living present, with no regard for those
that after us, we must ask, "What will it all
lead to-" II leads to the same goal as does all
neanness, sefishness and disorder. to hell on earth
anu '"hidtioh ditei' II II an very wen 10 SWagSer
along and act the braggadoco in moral and re-
gious questions. A man may do it to mask his de-
icencies and be worldly wise, but he or any other
who does so. is in great danger Of becoming cow
ard or a fool. We had better take counsel with
ourselves We are nation with pretty fairly
veil developed religious instinct but it would seem
We were losing it. Were it not wise to take our
bearings and look up our navigation charts? This
hip of state without the compass of religion is
likely to TO the same dangerous pass as a. Sis
er ship, also flying tri-colored flag. Her public
fficers of all descriptions and particularly those
Who preside in courts of justice are now filling the
ress with distressing reports and mournful pre-
lotions, Yes, Frances ship of state has been sail
No amid shoals and breakers. Liberty. equality. fra