The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-09-17
Conscience Aroused.

EDITOR CLARION: A Republican
pamphlet, bearing the above title and
pretending to give the views of the Re
hgious Press" of the country is now
being largely circulated. It is admira.
bly, adapted to excite prejudice against
Governor CLEVELAND on moral grounds.
Indeed the canvass of the Republicans
seems to have laid hold of the one weak
point In the life Of the Democratic eau
didate, with peculiar vigor, and Repub-
lican politicians have suddenly turned
preachers of morality.
I sincerely trust that their eeasciences
have been aroused, and more, that the
excitement will not pass off until some
fruits Of better works appear.
The attitude of the FIST paper referred
to in the pamphlet, the New York
Independent, always Republican, reminds
one of stories of persons whose con-
sciences were aroused at religious meet
ings, but whose settled habits of life
came back so strong, on their way home,
that they were unable to pass by on
the other side" as they came across an
unprotected hen-roost.
Admit the specific instance of per-
sonal impurity which so sadly sur
prised Governor CLEvELAND's intimate
friends and admit also, if you can, the
personal purity of his opponent, in this
direction, still the question arises,
What course ought lover of morality,
who regards obedience to Gods laws
as essential to true development Of
character person with an aroused
conscience take? If the canvass is
to be made on moral grounds it must be
remembered that there is more than
one law of morality. The law of homes
ty and of personal integrity is law OF
God, as truly as the law of personal
purity.
Is the Seventh Commandment any
more sacred than the Eighth which i'm
mediately follows it? Some of the most
enthusiastic of Mr. BLAINE's present
helpers were among those who, a few
years ago. were accusing him of the gross
est sort of corruption and dishonesty.
On moral grounds, unfortunately
neither of the men are what they
ought to be. Which is the lesser evil :
is the question which many are called
upon to decide, and the conditions Of
the case help to settle that effectively.
Governor CLEvELAND's public record is
unimpeachable, and the qualities which
have gained him his reputation as a re-
form Mayor and Governor, are exactly
the qualities which are pre-eminently
required in our Chief Executive.
While every truly moral man regrets
the social evils which abound, yet he,
also, in the light of recent public and
private swindles, embezzlements, defal-
cations and corruptions of every sort,
iAuot HOb ACSo ICSISl IHdJ iuCI6dS
ing dishonesty and lack of integri-
ty which has caused a writer in one
of our late reviews to ask whether
we are cultivating in this country
"a ssnation of rascals." There is no
doubt to the aroused conscience"
which takes in the whole of Gods moral
law, which candidate is best fitted for
the position, and best adapted to exert a
healthy moral influence in the direction
where his influence will naturally be
exercised.
The Republican effort just now is TO
confuse morals, and, like certain of our
temperance reformers, to exalt one vir-
tue as the complement of Gods require
ments. But let us remember this; that
the law of honesty and integrity is
Gods law, as well as that of social puri-
ty, and while the latter is most certain
ly desirable, yet the former is essential
for the country's welfare in him who
acts as its Chief Executive.
MORALITY.