, 1874-01-25
4 NEEDED REFORM.

To The Editor Of The Chicago 7fibR71e:
S1E Amongst all the projects OF reform that
engage the attention of modern philau1lrop.sss,
and the discussion Of which occupies so much
space in your valuable paper, I know Of poue
more needcd-cersaiuly none lesa dwelt upon
than ono in furthcrance Of fidelity to promises.
The whole network OF society depends upon our
confidence in each other; if this be lost, " chac3
is come again.'' And by the term "proruises"
do not mean simply the obligations wo assume
over written signatures ea,-acceptances. notes OF
hand. md the thousand forms essential in legal
transactions, s,-but also the verbal pledges that
pass from individual to individual in daily life,
aud which constitute the basis Of au our e1-
pectutions Of income or enjoyment Huc.i III
We need good faith in commercial
matters, the MASSES arc III still greater need
Of trut1fuluess in word between cnch other; and
no undertaking GILL prove successful where this
is wanting. How many printer, for example,
has realized this proposition, when, IN response
to urgent solicitations from interested parties,
Ae has purchased materials for country-ncws-
paper, relying upon the verbal assurances OF
material nil, that pass as currency III 20 many
new but ambitious communities, for tho where
with to meet his bills payable. Not ono in
twenty Of such pledges is erer redcemeu,-p
haps not one in fifty was made With nny view OF
fuitilment. And tho poor adventurez, homes.
aud 0afu-WOEE1u1 aD0SH aAd AialoA4t1 Va LIZ
ne1ghDors aud pseudo patrons, IS forced at last
to abandon Z field in which he hoped to be ol
service to the world, simply because tho io was
| cheap upon the lips OF men in whom he trusted.
| But the unfortunate disciples Of Faust are
| not alone Us victims OF false promises. It ii SC
easy to say pleasant things in regard to tho un.
| dertakiugs OF other meu,-so comforting te
| those who have embarked their all III euter'
prises TINT depend upon popular favor, to re-
ceiyo assurances Of future patronage and sup
| port! The records OF human e1eEtlon, II ulads
| palpab1e to the eyo of sense, would astonls II
even the plilanthropist by their exhibition o!
| the holloWncss of human pledges in every con
| ceiyable direction. And men are daily maat
bankrupt, and incur the obloquy OF diahonor II
every form, through the unfortunate credulIt.
| of their natures, which led them to believe
where they should have doubted,-to hope
with no surer basis than the numerous
verbal pledges Of sympathy and material alt
which their fellow-creatures have fairly laVlsnet
upon them in the outset OF a venturesons
career. Therefore, say, VIC need another lie
| form moyemont,-one TINT shall impress upol
mankind the wickcdncss Of thoughtless lying il
their daily dealings With eaoh other. For 70 saF
| "I Bympathize with you;" II I'm glad you have
embarked in this;" - I will pat1onize yon, etc.
| ETC., when you do not mean to be held thereby
when, in fact, You nave no purpose to contribute
I ANYTHING to your neighbor's Success, to whom
| YOU g;ye such liberal pledges,-is, in plall
terms, lying for which God Gf man cannot
| will hold you responsible.
/ In the name OF all who are struggling TO
| support under such a condition, Say, let u
| have q new Reform. n.