New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-24
MENTAL ETHICf

MENTAL ETHICE
Ethics as the science CT human duty, IS almost
always associated with and regarded as an III
tegral part of morals. 1t is seldom CONNECTED di-
Icctly or indirectly with the mind, or aught APP
pertaining thereto, although ethics must In the
highest and best sense depend largely on the I'M
derstanding. Inconsistencies or neglect OF this
important truth causes deal OF confusion, anu
materially helps to distort what are pleased to
consider moral ideas notwithstanding that they
often prove TO DO very immoral ones. We never
SHALL we never can. have airy just apprehension
of ethics until we look upon it as resident, par
italy at least, in the mind Unless ethics has
clear and close relation to the intellect, 1T does
not deserve the name TO view it as moral only
is to brd our Judgment and warp our notion OF
accountability. The mischief that has been done
by this one-sided Inspect is incaculable. No man
can Justly claim to be governed by an ethical code
who fails to hold himself responsible for his acts
through his intelligence and judgment. 1t lSn0t
enough for linn to mean well he must either do
well OF be able to show that lie had SOUND reason
to believe that he was doing we'll.
Far mora harm has doubtless been wrought by
persons of correct morals and inadequate mind
than by persons of irregular morals and compe-
tent mind. High intelligence is apt to be good
sunstltute for lack of principle, since 1t see its
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outward observation of honesty and honor. Pure
moralIt, is on the other hand prone to be so sure
OF itself as to be Needless of consequences per-
shaded that right intention Will have worthy
outcome. 1t is not likely to, however, unless
penetration and foresight lend their aid. There
have been and ever will he, many examples Of
moral purpose with vicious results that there is
ample cause for doubling il there be more fer
tile source of evil in all creation than an actively
ylrtuous fool. 1t is comparatively safe tc trust an
astute rascal who will know. at least, when he is
going wrong, and will transgress Willingly, while
tue fool will spread ruin with the fullest Udor OF
sanetity. No wonder that worldlings feel that,
after ascertaInng q mans shrewdness, they can
afford to anathematzo his morals.
When we are deceived or betrayed or swindled
by "A scOundre and are entirely aware that he IN
tended what he has DONE there is savage sort oil
consolation in the thought that his intent and
performance were coherent. But when suffer
wrong from fellow whose aims were OF the best
and In. achievements of the worst. we mar
yellousy patient and amablo If we can resist ex-
ASPIRATION toward the benevolent blunderer. Is
# not rather an aggravation of tho harm to be
told that bis chief fault is his goOd-heartednesS;
that we owe our misfortune to his kind intentS Z
Docs the fact excu pate him' Ought 1t to shield
MIN from the consequences Of his action Will
his inward innocence heal our wound Was he
not bound by the circumstances to exercise In
telligence TO employ prudence rs well as to Keep
fair NAME and so with unstained handsf
This is complete, wholesome ethcs,-ethics Of
the mind NO less than of the heart and on snch
we have right to insist. No man Is privileged to
undertake anything that concerns others, to accept
public or private Office. to assume responsibility
unless he ia qualified for it mentally as well as
morally it is as much his duty to DO acquainted
with himself intellectually as it is spiritually lie
Lasno excuse for iniurlng Others in the circnm-
stance that he meant no harm. lie Is as amenable
70 common sense as to conscience. Integrity OF
mntiye is no plea for bringing sorrow and distress
on a single trusting soul. All responsibilities
should be equally mental and moral If they were
so the sum Of human anguish would be dimn.
ished by half.
II seems sometimes that we Of the present age.
e,peeially in tho Republic are too charitable, or
rather that our charity Is miSdirected. We pardon
so many gross offences Though easy good-nature,
throuch want of earnestness and reflection, that we
really lower the tone OF genuine ethics, and en-
cr.rrage weakness to point of wrCng-doing. Men,
all over the land. in whom perfect confidence Is
rem, sed. are continually violating the common and
the higher law. are guilty ct the deepest sins.
without meeting public condemnation because
they were tempted, yielded to impulses, or we're
sjmply neglectfui. The assertion that their pre-
vious conduct had been exemplary, or that their
uurposes were without blame is sufficient TO elicit
any amount of sympathy. The inference would bo
that to live certain time honOIably would almost
iustify tho commission of subsequent crime, or
Tint results, however greYOus. should be meas
ured by intent.
The West has furnished most lameutabe in
stance in kind. A prominent ecclesastic received
for forty years the small hard earned wages of the
faithful, humble poor of his creed until they had
swelled to millions. They trusted him, not a
man. but an Iniallible priest OF an infalble
Church, and he. though bearing n reputation for
financial aoumen aud secular wisdom. lent their
money TO the prosperous Of his flock with the
recklessness of tpsy spendthrft. refusing TO take
any written evidence of their Indebtedness. He
built converts and retreats and churches, too. in
the name of religion, spreading the pious fame OF
the amiable prclate who had made him his agent,
and extending the influence of the archdiocese
with means that had been slowly won In tho agony
of toll. When the day of reckoning had come.
there was no money. Of course. to reckon uthi 1t
had been allowed to waste BY most criminal
carelossuess. generated priest. supposed to have