Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-09-16
TRUST

The pages Of one Of the periodicals OF the
dav have been recently occupied with the
discussion Of the question, Does any one
teIl the truth2D We had always supposed
thai II would not be difficult 10 answer this
ouerv al once In the affirmative; bnt nom
the amount Of ink and paper that has been
used ND in celebrating its pros and cons, It
would seem as Il, in the minds of many at
least. it is not yet satisfactorily settled. IL
IA well. perhaps, that this comparison OF
ideas should have taken place. The discus
sion Of mental or moral questions is always
proftabie; and any code Of manners or Of
morals that will not bear this test must be.
detective. In this disputation, however,
which has arisen upon this point there Is an
element that has not been developed as full
" as could be wished. Il must not be for
ootten that truth is an essential bond OF So
cietv. and. as has been well and truly said,
"Not falsehood, but truthfulness binds men
toVetherD Neither does il require much
reasoning 10 show that without this bond 50
cistv conld not exist for a moment "A
npiebbor must coniide I'm his neighbOr, ii the
yslstion Il "a be maintained in reality, and
inst "a far as that confidence il weakened by
fns;ncerity ON either side, 10 that extent is
the whole social fabric endangered. Nor Is
che working of this principle restricted to
neiehborhood. The same is seen in society
NJ fargo. and in the general intercourse OF
The world. Without this confidence OF man
in man. the wheels Of social and business life
,voild soon cease 10 reYOlYe, and the picture
,yould then be presented---than which mo-
thing would be more saddening-of a collec-
ton Of human beings, each armed and
watchful against his fellow, dwelling togeih-
er. but without any community Of thought
or action. Fortunately, however, the trust
in human nature is too strongly implanted
In the heart 10 make the realization Of such
q picture possible. The merchant viii still
RELY on his cashier for his balance sheet, and
will not hesitate TO invest his all on the re-
ceipt Of telegram from his agent IN dis
tant city; men and woman will continue 70
sleep soundly even in mid-ocean-though
knowing that AN instant's closing OF the eye
lids Of the oiled-begrimed engineer may send
them into eternity; the captain OF the vessel
freighted with hundreds Of souls, VIII lear
lessly sail in the darkest night, close to the
perilous reef, confident that the lighthouse
lamp will not fail him till the danger Is past
and the weary sailor, relieved from DUTY,
turns into his hammock in the midst Of the
storm, assured that the helmsman Will not
desert his post Nor is the position invali-
dated by the fact that oecasionly men betray
their trust. Human nature IS tallible, Of
course. But an ink stain will show more
distipctlyupon white cloth than on one
soiled and worn, so the very prominence
that is given by the public 70 such events
when they occnr, only shows how few are the
exceptions to the rule. But, il may be said,
these employees are faithful, honest and re
liable solely hecanse this is for their inter
est Perhaps, in one sense, this is true, but
il does not change the argument. II may be
questioned II any higher motive than this
can be effective upon human conduct. Sell
interest-not selhshness, but the highest
happiness aRG well being Of ones own soul
is the supremest argument ever addressed
10 man. Whether in obedience 20 superior
wisdom and authority, or 20 secure an APP
proving conscience, IL is the secret spring Of
every noble action. And i Is well for society
that this is the case. Else the many instan-
oes now on record, where selfish ease, and
even life itself have been sacrificed IN de-
votion 90 high and holy trusts would never
have been. The histories Of the hospitals
Of Sevastopol and Of our recent war, are 70
fresh in the minds Of thousands 20 Obliterate
the memories Of FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE
ana the noble army oi AlhcilSall NNlhe1@i
who rendered a similar service. The fear
fdl scenes Of the yellow fever. few years
since, in a sister Southern city, arc hallowed
by The remembrance Of the administering
angels that hoverod over the sufferers couch
--the spirits Of both, in many instances,
taking their departure together.
While therefore, these memories-not 20
sneak ofthe countless individual cases in the
worlds hisiory-remain as monuments let
not the sleptic seriously ask the question,
aDoas any one tell the truthF Truth and
Trust like twin brothers, walk hand IN
Misunderstanding theasperities Of daily inter
course. and pouring oil upon the social ma
chinery of life. These heavenly messengers
must not Be hinderod. Their mission is love
-'1ove based upon truth-truth spoken IN
love" These are the first and essential cor
ditions of human friendship