| Show idea has gone out that education THE out has a tendency to increase e CrIme crime It is not the purpose of the CHRONICLE to enter into an elaborate discussion of the question but there is at least one phase of it that is perhaps commonly overlooked With the advancement of civilization the extent and intent of crime is increasing that is mans man's powers of moral perception are more highly developed than ever before Many practices that have been regarded r I as moral or at least not immoral are arenow arenow arenow now regarded as great crimes and are accordingly punished bye bythe the law Other offences that were formerly Regarded lightly are now regarded very seriously and followed by severe punishment In one sense it may be that crime crim is in increasing increasing increasing in- in creasing with education but it is because because be be- because cause the same acts become more criminal as the mind becomes more highly developed developed In the same sense it may be said that there is more crime among the human species than among the brute creation because the latter not having developed the power of moral perception are not capable of committing committing committing commit commit- ting crime Those that oppose higher education on the ground that it increases crime may as well oppose all advancement advancement advancement advance advance- ment ment of civilization and advocate a return to the social conditions of the Dark Ages when it was no crime to burn a heretic or a a witch and when a feudal lord might plunder and rob his neighbor with impunity and invoke the aid of St. St Peter in doing so or they may desire a return to nature that nature that is nature beast nature beast and bring man down to o othe the level of the brute creation and deprive deprive deprive de de- him of the power of moral discern discern- ment Then indeed we would be in an ideal state for we would need no criminal criminal criminal crim crim- inal laws and no penitentiaries Philosophers believe with good reason that there is a time coming when these restraints will not be needed but that condition will be reached by an onward movement and not by a return to former condi conditions Proper education is the means by which this desired end will be attained but it must be by a steady and sure growth It must come about ally It is impossible for governments to legislate away crime They may protect protect protect pro pro- soci society ty from the violence of criminals criminals criminals crim crim- but reform must be brought about in some other way it must come from within through the reform and more extensive extensive extensive ex ex- application of education Those that would bring about about- a more innocent state of society can never succeed by opposing education m. m If they would do good for humanity let them bend their I energies in the direction of supporting educational reforms |
