THE EVIL OF GOLD. (From the Sydney "Empire," August 21 )

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 675, 2 October 1852, Page 4

THE EVIL OF GOLD. (From the Sydney " Empire," August 2 1 )

The carl v fears which wcie very generally entortained, that the semi-barbarous pursuit of goldmining, with its novel excitements, would have a baneful influence on the moral condition of society, are now receiving confirmation, in the experiences of almost every day. It was a. vcsonahle apprehension that the tendency would be retrogressive and anti-social, so far as individual morality was concerned, at all events during the paroxysms of the excitement. In the immediate effect on the conduct and character of the actual mining- population, the evil has been far less than was anticipated bv the nervous and timid ; but the mischiefs likely to result to our moral interests are such as pervade the whole framework of society, and are felt most powerfully in their remotest operation. The order and obedience to the law at the diggings, have been commented upon v.ith pride and satisfaction by the highest persons in authority; and, we believe, with much reason, notwithstanding- that we fear some exceptions to the rule must be admitted to exist. The danger, however, does not lie here, but rather at th" very heart of civilization, where the accumulating poisons arc carried back at last, when most potent smd virulent, and deposited to do their work of (1 and darkness. In circumstances of privation and trial, the faculties arc all strained in the endeavours for success. The mind is too active to be affected by rust. Far otherwise, whan .success is attained ; vice then usurps the place of work ; and in too many instance-", good fortune is followed by reckless and deplorable debauclieiies. The scene of this maddening indulgence, in nearly every case, is in one or other of our large towns; and the effect on our moral character, and more especially upon the rising generation, must be incalculably baneful. It may indeed be fairly questioned whether any man returns from gold-digging a better member of society, while it cannot be doubted that hundreds are ruined by the experiment. We have been led into these reflections by the frequent occurences in our streets of a wild and besotted character, which must be deeply regretted by every well-wisher to society. To stay this tide of demoralization, it is incumbent on all of more settled habits to set a worthy example in their ordinary tansactions and daily conduct. And it is to be fervently hoped that even those who have engaged in mining operations with all a gold-digger's infatuation and profligacy, will not suffer themselves to neglect the education of their children, though they forget every lesser duty which they owe to the State.