Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-12-13
From Codsy's Lady1 Book.

We commend the following story to oil non.pay-
ing subscribers to periodicals aud newspapers.-
EDITOR Of tho Lady's Book.l We endorse the
commendation.-tEd. Hawk-Eye.
Every man. says Burke, has his
price, There is q great deal more I'M
volvetl in this than is generally supposed;
and hundreds, who indignantly reject il
as libel on human nature, show almost
daily, tina, they have their price. The
sentiment just quoted is most commonly
understood 10 mean, that there is GER
tain money consider alton, by which every
man may lie tempted into a violation Of
honor and honesty. But this is only its
most palpable aud grosse>t Specification;
and thus interpreted, it will not bear a
universal application. Hundreds and
thousands, who are constantly giving evil
dence, in one form or another, that they
have their price, would reject, with in
digna,ion, any attempt to bride them from
integrity, no matter how large the consid-
eration offered.
What then does il mean? is asked
Simply, that every man, by nature, has an
evil will /; and that there is some form Of
temptation which, as an easily bese,ting
sin, will draw him aside from just re-
gard IL his neighbor's rights, unless he be
fortified by true religious principle form.
ed in his mind after no has attained the
age Of nationality and freedom. And, il is
not speaking too boldly 10 say. that no
man reaches the age Of rational freedom,
without in something, small or great. be-
ing drawn aside into act. that were not
just to others. In proof thereof, let every
man examine his own heart and review
his own life. Beyond this, no evidence is
asked 10 substan,ia,e the position that ev-
cry man has his price. One will yield a
point Of principle, in order 10 secure some
trifling advantage. Another will speak
evil OF his n-ighhor, from the fac, that il
makes him feel pleasant 10 do so-the
pleasurable feeling is his price. Anolh-
er, whose love Of reputation, or desire 10
have the credit OF being truly honest
man, in order 10 forward his interests,
leads him 10 strict recttude before tire
world, will Withhold sixpence or shilling
Of the full amount really due 10 porter,
coai-henver, wood yer, or other poor
persons, from whom he has received a
service, and experience a feeling Of salts
faction al having saved the paltry sum-
Is there a question OF the fact, that such
men have their price? None. Hundreds
and thousands thus sell themselves daily
and hourly, who would reject, as an Insult
beyond a,onement, an offer Of money 10
make false accusation against another, or
betray a friend, or his country.
Let every one examine lis own heart
and his own cunduc:, AMI see if, in GER
tain acts Of his life, SO secret as almost to
pass without his rejecting upon them, he
Is nut, for a consideration felt To be desira-
bile, parting with honur and integrity? p
The examination is worth making.
But we are saying loo much hy way Of
Introduction ~ little affair, that occurred
in a certain town which shall be na,neless,
and perhaps. rendering obscure by many
words, what we wished 10 make clear.
Mr. Justice Gregory WAS city magis-
ira,r, in the Town al y, aud had the
reputation Of being an honest man. lie
was spoken Of as Honest SPUR. Gregory
by every one aud knowing the reputation
in which he was held, he tell not a little
pride the, eat. And lew men were more
strictly honest than Squire Gregory. In
his dealings, he vas careful 10 regard 9th
e:'s rights as veil US his own, and more
frequently called and paid such bills as
happened 10 be against him, than waited
Tor them 10 be sent in.
Il don't know how others view the mat.
ter. he used 10 say, but for my part, whe'
have enjoyed the property obtained from
| aI,oti,er, ii seems 10 me that the least
Can do is 10 pay for it,
III motley is not worth calling or send
ing for, il is not worth ha, iug,' was the
usual reply 10 this. Il wish could gel
my own by simply calling iot il. 70,
may be sure would think j, no hardship.
perhaps not returns Squire Gregory,
'tu. il doesn't remove the simple ohliga
ton under which every man lies, TO pa,
what lie owes the moment he has the ahil
i,y to do 80. The waiting to be called OF
s. stem. is grounded, say what you will o
il, in a secret reluctance 10 pay what i
Justly due. Now, don't call that clear
" honest feeling. l know what il is
I've felt il hundreds Of times and have 4
fight against il how. We all love GU
Weaknesses.
|, happcnrd one day, that Squire Gre
CORY and his character Tor honesty. form
ell The subject Vi conversation among >ev
eral persons, one Of y hon was the Edilo
Of a newspapers published il the town.
] Squire Gregory, remarked the latter
after listening for some time 10 what wa
said, 'is no doubt one Of the most homes
men living. Still DO moi believe him I
be strictly so.'
We'll, l teieve,' said one Of the com
pany, that Squire Gregory could not b
lem pied, IN the value Of sixpence, I
wrong another by Withholding what wa
justly his due, or by oys1.rsaching in
bargain
understand, gentlemen said the Ed
tor 10 this, ah".l think Ms highly Of SOUR
Gregory W. any man IN town. But Al
sail, fled, that Gun pu. him 10 q test, y
well Us every man present, that shows
paip"b!e Disregard TO the plAine.t an
most common sense views of houesiy.-
The fac, Is, and it, 10 u.e trying to den
Il. we all, W. Burke says, have our pric'
1 a. .A.,ss ~,