PREVENTION OF CRIME
BY ZEBULON REED BROCKWAY
ELMIRA, NEW YORK
Complete prevention of crime is, of course, impracticable, and probably quite impossible. Extirpation of crime might disrupt society, destroy the very semblance of what is now commonly understood by the word society. So long as human nature remains human, offenses must come—the tares and the wheat must grow together until the harvest, and, apparently, the harvest is not yet. The prevailing social order is in accord with nature and Providence; it is not accidental. Dependency and crime accompany a progressive civilization; are, in a sense, a natural product of civilization, and, may we not say, inferentially, are intended to be? These evils are included within sovereignty of the Supreme—purposed in wisdom and beneficence. There may be, in this regard, identity of contradictories—human worthlessness and worthiness traced to the same elementary source—social contradictories conjoined in the individual without his consciousness of a moral conflict—diverse moral qualities abroad, interdependent, necessary antitheses and complemental. "All partial evil the universal good; all discord but harmony when rightly understood." Shall we then surrender to crime with superstitious reverence for it as a blessing in disguise? Evidently we should not. Social reaction against crime is also natural; it is inevitable for preservation, and it is according to the established social order. All progress, material, social or moral progress is a product of activities bred of conflicts—contention of opposing inward impulses; competitions of our associated life; and contests with, rather than against external nature. Opposition to crime is but a phase of the common struggle of all humanity for existence and growth. Only dreamers forecast the perfect state, devoid of both, dependency and crime, and idly wait for it. More realistic aim best serves the present need and work, not waiting, will minimize the effect of evils which cannot be entirely cured. Wise measures well applied will carry on improvement, within the range of what is possible to accomplish; improvements to be wrought out in time if also for eternity and, by use of men and means at hand. No obligation rests anywhere to do or to attempt the quite impossible and economy of benevolence as wisdom of it should direct our efforts to what is practicable.