The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1909-05-17
Onco More Into the Breach.

Once More Into the Breach.
Is human nature, after all essentially
vile, given over to the allurements Of
sin and the pleasures Of vice beyond the
reach OF old law or new legislation
Profoundest sorrow moves us to asA
this question, as all around us we hear
that the most odious and unspeakable
Of all debaucheries, racetrack betting,
has undergone a new birth. Here was
ut least one devil, one visible, horned,
tailed, fame breathing Satan whom we
regarded az safely exercised, banished
forever, finally returned to his neither
most abyss. Yet behold him at this
moment, triumphantly extant, fendishly
exultant, opposing oral vitality to writ
ten rt0or morris.
The whole affair Is distressing in the
extreme. For six months, six solid
months last year, this moral community.
this most moral Of all communities un-
der the skies, writhed and heaved and
labored and at last brought forth-was
it only q mouse? All questions Of public
policy, all problems Of government, all
relations between revenue and appro-
priation, all things whatsoever Of State
significance we're held in abeyanoe-a
permanent injunction stayed the wheels
OF government, all precedents parlia-
mentary were abrogated. All this was
done, moreover, that by legislative en-
actment man might be made moralI
The thing was done. From Maine to
California there rose a mighty chorus
of rejoicing, the angels sang editorially
and the morning stars gave extra con-
certs. Was it all in vain, then?
Never in NJ own time have we known
such a moral uprising as that Of last
year. Never. in our brief life have we
seen such a stir at the ultimate founda-
tions Of the aggregate moral sense
of this community. Moral sentiments
suddenly burst forth from all sides,
from the most unexpected Of sources.
There was hardly 8 man in this great
State who was not reused to vocal right
eousness. Every other man at least was
q crusader. 1t was a time Of universal
uplift, of free transfers in all regions
and realms Of goodness. 1t was an age
of victorious virtue, and it was only ten
months ago!
Therefore, remembering as We do
that Illuminated yesterday, that era Of
exaltation. recalling the swelling emo
lions OF our own heart, our eager solici-
tude for the morals of all our neighbors,
our grief is not to be assuaged when we
are told that it was all in vain, that we
did not save mankind, but only placed
upon the great law book Of this State
a delicate differentiation between the
thing spoken and the thing written; that
we Disseminated against Transcribed
wickedness only to encourage evil con-
versation. Why, we thought We had
abolished sin, at the least, and appar-
emily we have only stimulated talk.
All this the wise courts have ruled.
With DR.. LYMAN ABBoT1's Contribut-
ing Editor We hasten to demand: Who
gave inferior or superior courts juris-
diction in matters moral? Shall we not
abolish the courts as Satan's last
stronghold? At all events, Governor
HpdHEs must reconvene the legisla-
tots at once. There is no time to be
lost. Let him recall them at once to
tho unfinished business Of perfection.
Let him advise the legislators how, in
his wisdom, they should draw a statute
granite strong and court proof il the
courts are not to be abolished outright.
Let him draft for their acceptance a law
that shall not merely prohibit written
and spoken sin-let the inhibition be
against sinful thought also-abolish
evil thought, and all sin must vanish,
dissolve, 60 back to its own foulsource.
We trust the Governor will act
promptly. The crisis is here; delay may
prove fatal. If this is not done and done
soon we fear the consequences will be
fatal, irremediable, appalling.
The Presidents Southern Policy.
No appointment by President TAFT
has pleased the South more than that
Of Mr.. HENRY G. CoNNoR, a Democratic
l. l. TT.A-l