Morning journal and courier., 1886-07-12
The Hest Policy.

From the Journal of Commerce.
 The man who is honest only because he thinks it is the best policy will lapse from virtue before the first strong temptation. Some occasion will present itself where it will seem polite to swerve little from the path of rectltude, and policy is his only guide, he will soon be led astray. He who puts his material interest first, without spec ial regard to the great principles of equity, has an unsafe guide and will find no anchor age in the day of trial. It is undoubtedly for mans highest good that he shall maintain an unsullied character, but it does not al ways seem to be for his interest at the mom- ent, and if he is acting from policy instead of principle, the temptation to gain some temporary advantages at the expense of truth and justice will be too much for him.
 No lesson needs to be so often repeated as this, and there is none which men of the world are so slow to learn. The cunning which seizes on the gain that comes from taking unfair advantage of another is shortsighted at the best, but it is the maxim that governs in large part of the worlds business and industrial pur suits. We have often been struck with it in the policy that controls the production of new articles of manufacture, or new styles of fabrics, sent to this country from abroad.
 The first samples that come are always the best. Instead of improving by practice the second seasons products from the same hands are almost invariably lower in quality. It seems to be taken for granted that the trade will demand some concessions in price, hat I1TDf1n n a ent grade of purchasers, and that this can be met to the profit of the manufacturer, only by producing an inferior article. Having been pleased with some particular thing i'm ported for sale in rhis country, we have tried in vain to secure an equally good sample out of the next seasons lot It will bear the same trade mark it will have the same de- scriptive title, but it will be an inferior pro duct
 The men who have succeeded in building up reputation that has been a fortune to them have taken very difficult course. They have made everything bearing their name of the very best, and kept up the qual- ity from yoar to year, changing only as they have found means to improve upon the ear Her issues. Character building is slow work in any part of the world, but if we'll done it pays for itself in the life that now is, and with the financial dividends it returns a grand revenue of self-respect.
 We knew two brothers who lived over fifty years ago in small town in Connecticut (both possessed of much mechanical skill who were remarkable specimens of faithful men. Isaac Towner worked mostly in wood. His rakes for use in the hay-feld were per feet models of this most useful instrument. A we'll rounded handle and head of tough white ash, with bent bows and teeth of white hickory, made 8 farming tool of such dura- ble quality that one would last almost a life time There was no metal to rust, but eve " tooth was pinned in with it's wooden peg, and the hickory was well seasoned that no tooth ever loosened, although subjected to the intense heat of the summer sun. Long after rakes were made by machinery, and the process greatly eheapened, the farmers of Connecticut would pay two prices to get one that was hand made, with the modest letters l. T. burned on the head.
 His brother Asahel worked in iron and steel His axes were the admiration of New England and were sold ''way down East" as far as the lamber districts of Maine. As boy we have seen the stalwart smith temper