The Press in Exposures of Crime
By Editor
A RECENT editorial in one of the best-known dailies of the nation is very exultant over the success achieved in exposing the corruption of certain men connected with the New Haven Railroad. The writer of that editorial is sure that the exposure has been so thorough that such a thing "can not possibly happen again," and that a "better public sentiment has been aroused," so that "numerous thefts which were committed a few years ago with small risk" are "now out of the question," and that a "higher standard" has been set up "in the business world itself." The exposure of vice, crime, and fraud is one of our continued performances. It is in progress all the time; and but for these exposures and the public sentiment that is created by the strong influence of some good journals, there is no knowing what the conditions would have been in this world ere this. But we make a mistake in believing that these exposures are going to eradicate the evil. The facts are against us. It is the duty of the press to speak out against the evil. The exposures must continue. But we nevertheless should understand that the divine Book has told us "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." The view that the world is getting better all the time is a very popular one. There is something about humanity that likes to create a certain style and then follow the style regardless of fact, reason, or common sense. But when God's word speaks upon a given topic, it is safe to follow that Word regardless of anything men may say to the contrary. God is right, and His word is the one-infallible guide that mortals should follow in every subject upon which it directly speaks. Some of the best men that have ever lived are now on the stage of action. The very times serve to call out strength from those who will stand for the right against the corrupting vices of these days. Were it not for the influence of the army of righteous men and women who are found in church and state positions contending for correct standards, the immorality, frauds, and injustice that are a great submerging contagion would soon overwhelm the world. But in the face of these truly heroic efforts of the good, conditions will continue to grow most rapidly from bad to worse until the flood-tide of sin shall be met by the great event of the second coming of Christ.