East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-11-10
JUDGE LOWELL'S DECISION 4 CAUSE
FOR REJOICING, SAYS J.. B. DESPAIR

explain how good churchmen, prom-
inent citizens, estimable gentlemen,
+ find their acts in accord with their
conscience when they commit these
crimes.
II seems that We have two seats of
morals, each of which we use when
we find It convenient one set of
morals commands men to succeed,
and they must succeed in our econom-
ic warfare or be visited with fright
full penalties, with penury, Degrade
ton and oppression.
The other set of morals holds up
to us certain abstract principles. We
should be good, kind, honest. We
must not lie, steal and murder. We
must not injure and degrade other
men. But then if there is any man
who does not lie, steal and murder and
vet who fails in our competitive bait
tie. we despise him and force him in
to vagrancy and pauperism and for
the man who wins in our competitive
warfare we build monuments regard
ing il as irrelevant whether or not
he has lied, stolen or murdered,
The clergyman and professor, or
philosopher, say that morals have no
relation to our social system. Nor
do they seek to alter it. They take
their abstract moralities and hold
them up to the people. who dare not
follow them because they are terri
fled by the dread of want. They say
to us and to all men. do not bother
about the social system. Teach men
the necessity of pure and perfect de-
votion to the higher moralities, The
socialist says, but you command men
not to lie steal and murder, not to
corrupt legislatures, not to bankrupt
competitors, not to exploit men, wo-
men and children in mines, mills and
factory and then you say, we will re-
ward you in the highest If you will
but disobey our commands.
We know that Depew, Platt, Rookie
feled and Morgan succeed. That
satisfies their conscience. For six
aye. for seven-days the world press
es upon men its morality. Succeed or
perish is its command. And like Ma
slova with her sweet fact and pretty
form they use such gifts as they have
and commit such crimes as may be
necessary in order to succeed in their
chosen occupation.
Tolstoy, tormented by this strug-
gle of the individual with his envir-
onment. by this clashing of the prac-
teal with the idealistic-says with
draw from the world and keep your
selves unspotted
The socialist says, stay in the
world Here is where mankind lives,
But seek to place it upon an econom-
ic and social principle which will re-
ward virtues Destroy the social
principles which command men to
war upon each other. Take away
the immense rewards now given to
those who lie. steal and murder.
Men VINO know the world know how
frail, how sickly the virtues are be-
cause the world mas no mercy. IL
asks not if you be just or unjust,
moral or immoral. 1t has no ideal
istic sensitiveness and it thunders
forth every morning, sink or swim.
1t is a great relief to occasionally
find men like Judge Lowell, whose
very soul cries out for honor and
principle. Would to God we had a
nation of such men. Not uutil men
can abnegate self can his soul go out
with love to humanity. These
thoughts recall to my mind that i'm
mortal soul Thomas Paine who said
the whole world is my country and
to do good is my religion.
Respectfully,
J. B. DESPAIR.