The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-07-03
Mr.. Lincoln-Honesty the Best Policy.

Mr.. LincoIn-Honesty the Best Policy.
Frequent charges are made of fraud and
dishonesty prevailing among persons in bus
mess and persons holding public trust. 1t
is said of persons in the service that feel
ing exists which may be thus formulated:
The emolument is small; a change may soon
take place; and unless advantage is taken
of the moment, the opportunity is lost for
ever. If the charges were true generally,
it would show sad state of morals; but,
as there is truth enough in the charges to
make dishonesty the exception and honesty
the rule, they deserve attention, for many
reasons.
One of the worst examples to young men
is that of public servant, having used his
office to enrich himself at the expense of
the people; for, although swift punishment
will follow discovery, the warning may be
forgotten, and only the guilt remembered.
In country like ours, it is most import
ant to instill the principles of honor and
honesty in the hearts of men, in order that
the duties of good citizenship may be well
performed. 4 violation of those princi-
pies is public calamity, deserving the Sc
verest censure, and demanding ample atone
ment, be the culprit who he may.
Honesty is the best policy. A poor man
is not debarred from rising in life by his
poverty, if his character is untainted and
his ambition wise. If he has been faithful
in limited career, the probability is that
he has prepared himself for higher respon-
sibility. The eyes of a community are
fixed upon those who do well the duties
entrusted to them; and when the time
comes, as it always will come, for advance
ment, the testimony borne to good repu-
tation is supported by willing hearts and
helping hands.
Wherever Mr.. Lincoln dwelt he seems to
have impressed his neighbors most favora-
bly,. In the early days of his obscurity,
people remarked in him certain candor
and manly honesty, which, doubtless, was
the foundation of his subsequent prosper
ity. There was a kind of moral grandeur
in his independence and freedom from all
cause of rcproach, that attracted recogni-
ton and induced reliance upon his integ
rity. His poverty spurred him to industry.
His industry enabled him to acquire much
general knowledge, and the knowledge of
the law, which was his profession. AS he
rose in public estimation, he labored for
his daily bread, with the idea of riches a
long way off; but his poverty kept him so
scrupulously careful in the path of right,
that when receiving money which was not
his own he paid it over in the coin that
was paid to him.
How many young men with fair pros
poets in life have wrecked all by using
funds which they fattered themselves that
they would soon return, but were not able?
They became amenablc to the charge OF
dishonesty, though perhaps at the time,
thew did not mean to be dishonest. 1t is
the first wrong step that destroys cbarac-
ter. To shun that first step should be our
courageous cndeavor; and if we reflect
upon the results likely to ensue, the temp,
taton may be resisted.
Mr.. Lincoln was remarkable for his love
Of truth and consistency in politics. Train.
ed in school where he had to labor and
suffer, he came out of the trial with a keen
appreciation of right and wrong, and Of
the necessity of private worth as the basis
of success. The effect of his surroundings
was to chasten his mind and lead him tC
| look out upon the affairs of men from nc
superficial standpoint. He saw men of pro-
mise fail and fall, which aroused his sympa.
thies and gave him strong bias toward al
| that was good and noble in our common
nature Had lie not received that peculiar
ton and guarded his heart, he might have
| shown weakness in his altered fortunes
when, in fact, his manliness and purity
created surprise. AS politician, he wa:
in full accord with the principles and aim!
of the Republican party. They became
incorporated with his manhood, growing
with his growth; and, eventuating in al
able and wise craftsmanship, he could serve
his country in the crisis of his fate. Will
unblemished honor he discharged the du
ties of the hour without thought Of hi
future destiny; and he rose, step by step
until he reached the highest Office in th'
gift of the people. Thus preserved in pow
erty, and protected as with a shield by hi
uprightness, the following pleasing Incl
dent by " Burleigh," Of the Boston Jour
nal, tells the secret of his fame, not onl,
to the country of his birth, but to the ma
lions of the world:
"Mr. Lincoln, before he moved to Spring
field, was postmaster in small Western
town. The office was poor, aud Lincoll
was poorer than the office. 1t was know
that he was very hard up, and it was ais
known that the Washington agent was il
town to collect the little sum due the Gen
eral Post-of1ice. A friend, thinking Lin
coin might be embarrassed, came down t.
the Office to loan him the sum necessary t
meet the demand. Mr.. Lincoln thanke
him, and said he did not need any loan
While the two were talking, the gentle
man came in. The sum due was less tha
500. Lincoln went to his desk and tool
out an old stocking, and turned the col
on the table. 1t was counted out, and me
the demand exactly. Well it might, for
was not only the exact amount due, bu
the identical money itself that Lincoln ha
taken in; old fashioned Xix dollars, psta
reens, sixpences, old-fashioned cents an
all were there. l never use money tina
belongs to other people, said Lincoln, an
that resolution did much toward maxim
.. him President of tho limited StateS.''