I could go on and on, but instead I will simply list some sources below where much more information and examples can be obtained.
None of this is to suggest that everybody was wicked and rotten a hundred years ago. There were plenty of good and decent people then as there are now. But we must dispel ourselves of the notion that there was some golden era in American history (or any history for that matter) when all was pure and pristine, wonderful and lovely. Along with that we must also reject the belief that everything is much worse today than it was "back then." This does not mean we should fail to take our problems and challenges seriously, but a little less of "the sky is falling" hysteria would be a good thing... and unfortunately, we have too many "Chicken Littles" cackling around us.