Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-05-02

dRcucy may not easily Do TeckOH-
cd. 1t has thousands under its
words and beiRg moulded by its
influence. Far be It from US to
F, undervalue the teaching of the
sublime mysteries of faith or to
dispute the axiom that if the tree
be made good the fruit will be
good. But we believe the Deca-
fogue survives as vital part of
the pulpit heritage; let its stern,
unbending morality be expound-
ed. Let the burning words of
those grand old Hebrew seers ring
out in our modern Christian con-
gregations. Nor can it harm creeds
and confessions if the morality of
the Sermon on the Mount and the
Epistles be occasionally ex-
pounded.
We trust there is no occasion to
suggest the kind but earnest ell
forcement of church disci pline at
this point. We naturally recoil at
the thought of an immoral cler-
gyman, but there is scarcely less
evil TO society in dishonest yes.
tryman, trustee or other church
officer No congregation is strong
enough to carry many commune
cants of the kind thus specified by
All acute observer: "Oid Mr.. A
yes. Well, Goddard he seems to
be very fair, but nlanward he is
mighty slippery"
Teachers are influential here.
They can inculcate ethical truths
on impossible minds, and send
out honest young men and wo-
men, who will. at all events, be
right until corrupted.
And at this juncture the Ad-
ministration OF this great country,
trusted as none other ever was
trusted, is called to vigilant and
thorough work. 1t must realize
there is some distrust in this coun-
try. Ii sees States heretofore reck-
oned upon for unfiinching, un-
swerving support, hesitating ifnot
transferring their allegiance. It
may be an unwelcome revelation,
but il must be faced. The agents
of the Administration have some
times been found wanting; the
people have come to suspect Il EN-.
1t will be well that the President
of the people shall open his eyesin
time. He must put away every
SPOTTED and doubtful man, no
matter how close he may be to his
council board. He cannot afford
that men only distinguished for
bold, unscrupu lous smartness
shall stand forth as is
representatives, and dictate either
his policy or appointments. 1t is
the duty of every man trusted by
the Government to show that his
hands are clean, and suspicion de-
mands clearance.
Heretofore this journal has
given warning, which needed,
might have averted disaster. 1t
soberly repeats its caution. The
great soldier and ruler at the
head of the nation is strong
enough to throw off every leech
and cormorant, to drive into
exile every hribed judge and
dishonest official. He can
do this with or without
his Cabinet, with or without the
Senate. with or without the House
Representatives. He can purify
the public service, can break rings
and Danish adventures and trick
sters. He can put premium on
honesty, and restore the conf
dence which draws prosperity after
ter it. Let him be true to his own
brave heart, and cut loose from
demagogues, and pOsterity will
bless him. 1t will require moral
heroism, but the man who cho-c
to accept hostile criticism at Boil
mont rather than expose sub
ordinate, has that; it will require
courage, but he who marched In
to the Wilderness mas that. Let
him WELD his great powers for
the salvation of his country.
Is it worth while to give any
exhortation to Congress