Year: 1867

1t would seem as ifthe vile deeds s.ofwieked
men, which alike by reason and law place
them beyond the pale Of decent sesiety.
should be deplored and condemne4 by al
right minded men, especially By those who
largely form or direct public opinion. But
strange to say, many Of our public journaIs
not only take delight in paradipg before
their readers tho long and Disgusting eata-
logue cfcrimes that e-om day to dag throw
their fearful shadow upon the civilization of
our Christian land but do it in way deser-
wing Of severe and general reprobation. In
stead Of allowing the details of sin and
shame to slumber in the records Of the po-
lice courts, they hasten to announce them to
the world THEW object, however. seems
not to be to make vice hideous and reoulsive
but rather as something to be laughed at if
not attractive. Hence they employ the art
of their skilled writer's in dressing out the
disgraeeful particulars, seeking to excite a
smile by feeble wit or paltry puns at that
which should only awaken sorrow and tears
And thisofensive accord of vice goes di-
rectly into the family circle with It's noisome
and cOrrupting influence.


But as ifthese highly colored descriptions
we're not enough, there are papers specially
devoted to the chronicIing of crime, which
are not content with giving full particulars
Of the horrible and demoralizing incidents,
but engage also the engraEer's art Ia depic-
ting the dreadful scenes to the eye. It can
scarcely be imagined that this Is designed to
be in the interest of virtue. Whether It Is
deliberate intention to pander to the most
corrupt taste Of the basest and most aban-
doned or not, the result is obvious Il is
heart-sickening to see the crowds Of unsus-
pecting youth around the bu' u'letins Of these
public poisoners, gazing upon the ezag-
geTatod representations of Yillany aud crime,
too often Of deeds that it is a shame even to
think Of thus being insensibly alluzed to
enter the downward road to ruin and death.
And it is humiliating to think that there are
those wearing the form of men, who, for the
sake ofgain, can attempt to create or pandcr
to vicious and lieentious taste, can awaken
the morbid appetite whose cravings zcou
become Unsuitable, till its debased victim
finds no relish in what is beauti ii and viz
tuous, and is only satisfied when it can
Hsup on horrors.


The responsibility Of conductors Of the
public press cannot be oyerestimated
Crime is a fearful fact in this fallen world,
and it is useless to attempt to conceal It.
But those journals that by pen or pencil
seek only to hold it up to ridicule, or by
their representations fascinato and allure,
rather than frighten theinnocent ond unva1y
from its commission, are recreaut to the duty
Of their high calling 1t Is notorious that
many have been led into career Of crime
BY reading the lives Of noted criminals; and
editors and publishers whose presses TEEN
with the records of the scenes of horror aud
vice that abound in the land, may be guilty
Of the fall and ruin of some whom their H.
| judged exposure Of crime has seduced to It's
commission The words Of the poet are a
fea1fr' but true commentary upon our poor
h6man nature:


''Vice Is a monster of such hideous mien,
That to be hated needs but to be seen;


But seen too Oft, familiar with its face,
We first endnre, then pity, then embrace.
dMericdn Messenger.