The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-03-25
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 1874.
QUIZ POSITION,

We do not much believe in the custom oil
defining ones position. We see no partic-
ular good that can grow out of it. Ordina-
rly, ones position can be determined from
his course-it always ought to be so. We
are willing to leave "our position" to be de-
duced by our course, but as this defining is
somewhat popular, we will try our hand at
it, In the first place, then, we have no
two sets of opinions--one for the street and
one for the newspaper. We,cannot CON
ceivc why an editor is not as much bound
to express his honest sentiments in news
paper as in private conversation We hold
that if lie expresses a different opinion in
his newspaper from that which he "ta'ks'
in the street or in private, that he is guilty of
falsehood in one place or the other We
believe we understand the use of language
We understand that there is distinction
between spy and regular detective or
officer. Let us illustrate. 1t is contrary
to law for boys to .scoast" on the side
walks. We believe that if a man should
station himself on a certain street, so as to
take the names of boys "coasting," that he
might prosecute and obtain an informers
fee and witness fee. that he would he n
spy, and would be held in contempt and
de,estation by good citizens. This feeling
would be intensified if he allowed his own
boy to ''coast, and then cndeavored to shield
him, or if he himself, coasted If, more
n pIliapr chnnl1 hu, al. Al,
same course, IL irouid be TIER duty To
prosecute. They would merit the i'll will
of their fellow citizens if they should fail
so to do. There is II vast difference be-
tween a selfish spy and sworn detective
or regular officer. II is the duty OF the lat
ter to ferret out and prosecute all infrac-
tons of law. They do it as Il duty to
them. elves and the community. and are
cheerfnlly aided therein by every good cit-
zen, no matter Whdt tie Ia1ticuln' lac mar
he They must not aid in breaking law
a spy works for sometimes for
money, sometimes for revenge. He cares
not for the law, because he, himself. fire.
quently violates it, or aids in violating it,
We know of some such. We believe. how
ever, that good may sometimes be accom-
plished by unworthy instruments, but
we do not believe in doing evil that good
may come thcrefrom. We further believe
that good causes are. in the end. injured
by the pretended peep of hypocritcs. We
do not think the tea drinker. referred to
Tuesday, did 1.-THE as much good to the
cause of the colonies by his speeches. blus-
ter and pledges, as he did injury by his
hypocritical course. We do not believe in
the doctrine, either in politics, religion or
morals, of being all things to all men. But
we do believe in an honest, straightforward.
consistent course upon every subject and
upon every question. BE sure you arc in
the right path and then follow it. regard
less OF the sneers, comments, arguments.
persuasions or threats of others. Square
your life by the square of virtue, temper
ance and morality, and then talk, write
and act accordingly. In other words "our
position may be summed up in the pithy
sentence of, we believe, David Crockett.
"Be sure you're right, then go ahead"