The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1884-08-22
Cultiyating Integrity OF Char
acter.


There is u wide difference in tue
estimate of Justice and right among
men. Some have an instructive
sense of justice; others always have
distorted or shaded views of right
aud wrong. The difference il not
that there is au intention to do
wrong, but that each has learned
to view all moral questions from
bis particular standpoint. Yet
right and wrong are immutable.
Each Is stamped with its peculiar
characteristic, aud these do not
change. Hence il different view \
OF the moral quality of a given act
are taken 1t is evident that one OF
the other is wrong. Hence a right
view Of justice aud all the moral is-
sues is a matter OF training. How
may it best be donei
We answer, by inculcating clear
perceptions OF the fundamental
principles OF right. These are sim.
pie and plain. Ii is right TO tell the
truth, to deal hoaestly, to respect
others rights and to observe the
rules of colDmercial morality. To
lnure anotherSs reputation is
wrong; and to despoil another OF
property, even If legally done, ia
wrong. The original, fundamental
principles Of right and wrong are
simple aud plain. IL is when we
obscure them by special Influences
that we are befogged. There Is al.
ways u special plea for an act oil
spollation, whether of character or
property. Aud, us q rule, there ia
a willingness to allow this special
plea peculiar force. IL is thus meu't
views OF right are warped. By
nice terms of expression, meu con
vey a false impression, when they
would scorn to openly lie. By
shrewd turus they manage to CON
plete a satisfactory business tran
saction, when they would utterly
refuse to directly aud boldly cheat
1t is the ipdirections III morals tina
need to be watched. These ar,
often dangerous.
When the minds of child
rem aro plastic aud habit
are formative these great principle
can be sohdly incuItated. Aud
carefully and wisely done, the
will answer for years after. Th
best education u parent eau impair
Is that which leads to integrity .
character. A sense OF right 9
acute that IN all doubtful issues
will instinctively seek the true
better tor a CHILD than % fortune
1t imparts the elements Of chara,
ter that command confidence, an
In the main secure success.
rough. hard man in Australia can
to the celebrated Henry Reed. II
had managed to place himself o
tho pension rolls OF the Britis
army by fraud. He lived in a pot
way on this pension. All his enc
gies were blunted by his sense /,
wrong, an6 he did not succeed
life. Reed, hearing bis story an
his wish to reform, said to him th,
first of all he must give up bis PEI
sion, aud that as soon rs abl
he must return all be hnd draw
principal and interest. The ma
did 90. Under his relieved sens
he vas able to arouse his energies
and attained wealth and position
There are many lives, like biz
blightcd by false positions, takeI
in moments Of weakness, aud frou
which there IL not moral courage Il
escape. 1t is wise to guard chil
dren from it, aud, inasmush rs con
] tingencies eau not be watched, it Il
| best to incuIcate Fundamental
truths. These are like the polaI
star to the Eiilor, q guide amid
storm aud sunshine. All else can
be made to conform il the essential
principles are right. II these are
unsettled We may as well seek to
watch the wind as to keep guard
over the wcll.beiug OF children.
Hence to instiI integrity of charac'
ter in a child Is the best legacy
that can possibly be conferred.