Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-11-10
From Godcy's Magazine and Lady's Book
A NOV Ell Il E s II.
BY A COUNTRY EDITOR.

uEvery man," says Burke, ''has its price,"
There is great deal more involved in this
than is generally supposed and hundreds
Who Indignantly reject it as libel on hu-
man nature, show, almost daily, that they
have their price. The sentiment just quo
ted is most comrionly understood 10 mean,
that there is certain money-consideration,
by which every man may be tempted into
violation of honor and honesty. But this
is only its most palpable aud grossest sig
nification and, thus interpreted, it Will
not bear a universal application. Hun
dreds and thousands, who are constantly
giving evidence, in one form or another,
that they have their price, would reject,
with indignation, any attempt to bribe them
from integrity, no matter how large the
consideration offered. ng .0 10 3.
What then does it 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 besetting
sin, will draw him aside from just regard
to. his neighbours rights, unless he be forth
fed by true religious principle formed in
his mind after he has attained the age OF
nationality and freedom. And it is not
speaking too boldly to say, that no man
reaches the age of rational freedom, with
out, in something, small or great, being
drawn aside into acts that were not just 10
others. In proof thereof, let every man
examine his own heart and review his own
life. Beyond this, no evidence is asked to
substantiate the position that every man
has bis price. One will yield point o
principle, in, order to secure some triAine
advantage. Another will speak i'll Of hi
neighbor, from the fact that 1t makes him fea
pleasant to do SO the pleasurable feelin;
. is has price. Another, whose love OF repu
tation, or desire to have the credit Of bein'
truly honest man, in order 10 forward hi
interests, leads him to strict rectitude befor
the world, Will withhold q sixpense or shil
; Hing of fthe full amount really due to a POI
ter, ccatheiver, wood-sawyer, or othe
|. Door persons from whom he has received
h service, and experience feeling of satisfat
e ton at having saved the paltry sum.
!, there question of the fact, that such me
!. have their price, None. Hundreds an
d thousands thus sell themselves daily ar
q hourly, WHO WOuiu ftJeSs 10 oA ''ss'ss
yond atonement, an offer Of money to NAL
y false accusation against another, OF b
!" tray . friend, or his country. faslf
Let every one examine his own hes
: and his own conddcb and see il, in certa
r acts of his life, 50 secret as almost to p;
without bis refecting upon them, he is ~
" for a consideration felt to be desirable, pa
ing with honor and integrity' The exam
nation is worth making. moi al ~
But we are saying too much by way
oSe S introduction to little affair, that occurs
en- in a certain town that shall be namele
&C. &C. and, perhaps, rendering obscure, by ma
: and s;I words, what we wished to make clear.
Mr.. Justice Gregory was city mae
: trate, in the town Of y, and
the reputation Of Being an honest man.
= was spoken of a. sHonea Squire Greeol
y By every one; and, knowing the rep.
J |tiion in which he was held, he felt no
" little pride thereat. And few men W
:, more strictly honest than Squire Gregg
,e 's In his dealings, be, was careful to reg
ana Others rights = well ~ his own, and p
ncil ffrtGeptly called ahd, paid such bill
~ ha appened to be against him, than wa
ssed for them 10 be sent in. ~.
laps 81 dom know how others view the mat
he used to say "but, for my part, Wit