NOTWITHSTANDING the palpable downward tendency of society in a moral point of view, there is a certain class who vainly pretend that the world is growing better, and harangue the people about the "Progress of this enlightened Age." The improvements and discoveries in the arts and sciences are faithfully enumerated, and the imagination and hope wrought up by a glowing picture of the future. The attention of the multitude is diverted from the moral state of things, and their minds directed almost exclusively to the intellectual progress of the age. I had the opportunity a short time since, of listening to a Temperance lecture in which the present state of society was faithfully depicted. I wish to make a few quotations in substance from this lecture. The lecturer commenced with the lower classes and gradually rose to the national government; but I choose to reverse the order.
Washington city is under the immediate control of Congress, therefore the moral tone and character of its citizens may be taken as an index of the character and principles of the ruling class. New Orleans has been noted as the rum hole of the Union, but the lecturer said, "New Orleans cannot hold a candle to Washington city. Rum is poured out like a river." [I would here state that this person is sent out by the New York State Temperance society, to advocate their principles.] It is not long since, that a fight occurred between two members on the floor of the House of Representatives. An honorable occurrence for two American statesmen! The lecturer obtained the following from an eye-witness.
"On the night the Nebraska Bill passed the House, I sat in the Reporters' gallery. The haggard looks, nervous gestures, and fiery speeches of the members, bespoke the excitement they were under. As the time drew near for the vote of the House to be taken the excitement grew intense. One would almost imagine themselves carried back into the past, and looking down upon an ancient gladiatorial scene instead of the deliberations of an American legislative body. Members would frequently rise and draw their pistols and bowie knives, and then, as if remembering themselves, would replace them and resume their seats. In the midst of this excitement the Nebraska Bill was passed." "The truth of the matter is this: The South was determined that the Bill should be passed at all hazards, to accomplish which, their money and liquor was freely dispensed. Such excitement could not have prevailed if the members had been sober. The Nebraska Bill would never have passed a sane American legislative body." This is astonishing. "At the last session of the Legislature of New York, a prohibitory Bill was presented for the suppression of intemperance. It was strongly opposed, especially by those engaged in the liquor traffic. The sum of $150,000 was sent by one firm alone in the city of New York, to Albany, to corrupt the Legislature, and prevent if possible the passage of the Bill. The Bill was passed by both Houses, but vetoed by the governor, Horatio Seymour." I heard a man say the same evening, that Seymour intended to sign the Bill all the time, but was prevented at last by scruples of conscience.
"The influence" of the higher classes upon the mass is demoralizing in the extreme. The young especially, think it is perfectly proper for them to follow the examples of the leading men of the country. If this state of things is permitted to exist, in less than ten years the young men of this state [N. Y.] will become a race of bloated sots." The lecturer concluded by saying, that "the influential men of the country are just waking up as though they had been asleep fifty years, are going to take hold of the matter in earnest, and the cause will certainly triumph."
A short sermon on the "good time coming," is necessary to captivate the people. The world is going down in spite of every effort that can be made; then what folly to cry "peace and safety." The honesty and simplicity of olden times is set aside as a weakness, and fashionable deception has taken its place.
A temperance lecturer once said, "We all wear a mask, and every one of us have agreed to deceive each other all we can." The present generation has become so refined(!) that naked truth is too coarse to suit the nice and delicate taste of the age; so fiction, arrayed in beautiful apparel is courted in its stead. Children and fools only are simple enough to tell the truth. "Pride and fashion, folly and foolery sit in the parlor; while common sense and genuine worth are kicked out of doors." "They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge." II.