The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-03-05
Careless Indulgence
kiLLs The SOuL

iehbou MhICn IL, amos l-b.
We would do we'll to give a care
ful reading OF the writings OF Amos
He was nearly contemporary with
Isaiah. but was In the northern
kingdom OF Israel, while Isaiah re-
sided In Judah. But the protests Of
Amos against the prevalent evils OF
| nj, day reads so much like the con-
| dltion In the United States In this
year 1879 that we cannot help but
be startled 20 read his donunciatlons
and note the historic fulnllment Of
his prophecies. We are all OF the
opinion that there are many things
In human society here and else
where, that need to be pointed out
far destruction, N we would save
our fair land for the noble mission
In the worlds history that we are
In the habit Of assigning to Il.
Start at the Right Place.
Many good people have thought
that this condition called for drastic
Legislation to curb the most out
standing faults. But the scriptures
teach us that such things are NOT
overcome by any system OF lawmak-
ing that human ingenuity has ever
devised. For one thing, any law, no
matter how good In intention and
effect, IN a burden and n snare un-
less It Is supported by an overwhelm-
ing public opinion. ANY, other law
simply manufactures crime instead
OF reducing Il. The individual Is the
man in whose power It Is TO save the
day. not in legislatures. When we
hate evil enough to quit It our
selves we arc worth while to society.
II is folly to denounce social evils.
graft and debauchcry unless we.
that Is you and !. have a mind TO put
on clean record and answer TO God
for the deeds done In the bgSy. II is
ot no moral effect to preach against
liquor and still keep n supply in our
cellar for individual use. Righteous
ness, like charity, begins at home,
and every effort TO attack sin by
Eeneralities Is doomed to failure, IL
we want the world Cleansed of evil
doing let us commence by cleans
ing number one.
Dcfaultcrs TO Public Trust.
Default, writes prominent re-
llgious author, is the failure to meet
an obligation. whether IL ho in the
payment of n note or in the fulfill
ment OF any other promise. Politi-
; cal defauiters who fail to meet the
obligation OF their solemn oath OF
office are the most damaging to a
nation OF all its citizens. Their
power for evil Is deeper and strong
or than that OF the most lawless
criminal. The entire book OF Amos
Is a charge against political leaders,
} the business leaders and the reli.
gious leaders OF Israel. They had
, failed 10 meet their obligations alike
to God and 10 the people. In their
graft and bribery and extravaganza
they had closed their eyes to the
needs of the nation and were merely
looking after themselves. feeding
at tho public crib"
Responsibility OF Leaders.
Nations do not drift into good
ness. They struggle for It under the
leadership of virtuous, diligent,
, w!deawake individuals who know
. how to make sacrifices II need be TO
: do their duty and render service.
These officials OF Judah and Israel
were not struggling for the common
welfare of the people nor for any
other high ideals. They were TAX
. ing their ease in office, living q gay
, life. never stopping to think that
they were bringing disaster upon
, themselves and upon their people.
Public men OF today likewise are
apt to look upon public office as a
1 chance to make themselves solid
! and neglect the lesson OF all history,
: that whenever the trusted leadership
: OF a nation grew selfish. grasping,
lazy and dishonest that nation was on
1 a short road TO destruction and hu-
: initiation. Let us pray that our
: leaders will see the point before the
historian begins to write of the fall
= OF the American republic.
I The Dccadence OF Ideals.
:. Those that sin against public
trust will be the first TO feel the
|, heavy weight OF ruin. Their care
! lessness and INSTRUMENTATION
! makes them the easiest prey and
- their egotism makes them the most
. worthy OF the penalty. From the
$ beginning OF history the rise and
fall OF nations has been recorded in
4 about the following order: Pioneers,
y moved by high hopes and motives,
. settle new territory. endure hard
, ships live virtuously and lay the
n foundations OF commonwealth.
n They build up a standard of life
= that continues for generations In n
' spirit OF brotherly cooperation that
q produces prosperity. contentment
10 and happiness. Then some come
- into large share OF authority or
! wealth, use II seifishly, and con-
consciously or unconsclously, start
an age of graft, oppression, extraV-
agance and vice. Such a procedure
: unless checked by moral reform
= seals the nations doom and the
" chapter Is closed-the nation yields
place to some community that
starts anew with ideals.
Inlqulty leaves Its Mark.
Sin kills just as sure as fire burns
II Neither nations nor individuals can
e escape this law. Individuals may be
IS saved by the riches OF grace, but
q nhNnLnnl .Lna lnnn.a LknL. -. ri. l...l