The Wilmingtonian., 1888-06-02
Honest Character and Reputation.


That is poor kind Of morality that ap-
proves of honesty solely because it is the
best policy, but more people can be reached
BY appeals to their natural desire to improve
their condition than by considerations of
duty. There is, moreover, abundant reason
to believe that the old saying is true in spite
Of some apparent exceptions. Happiness
and consequent success, in this world de
pends upon other things beside money gains.
Selfrespect, an approving conscience, the
good will'o neighbors, which IN only come
Of honest dealing, are quite as essential to
true happiness as the acquisition of for
tune.
The merchant or merchanic who estab-
fishes such reputation for fair dealing that
old customers return to him again and again,
and bring new ones with them, who is so
trusted that he receives order to be filled at
his discretion. may not for a time make such
gains as his tricky competitor, but in the
long run he proves by his substantial pros
perity that honesty is the better policy. He
has, moreover-wbat the dishonest man
cannot have-a free spirit, self-respecting
feeling of independence, that enables him to
go about with head erect, afraid to meet no
man.
The dishonest trickster may in time be-
come SO callous as to show no sign of the
effect upon him arising from the distrust
and contempt of his fellowmen, but he eau
not conceal from his inner self his loss of
character nor fail to suffer the penalty of a
loss of self-respect. Quite frequently he at
tempts with dishonest gains to buy the pleas
ures his conscience will not afford him.
He lives extravagantly, engages in expen-
sive forms of amusement, and to the un-
thinking may appear to enjoy all the pleas
ures of life; while in fact he is feverishly
seeking happiness forever denied him. As
professional gamblers die poor because they
spend even more freely than they ct, SO dis
honest men in reputable calling very fire.
quently after short period of extravagant
living come to want, because as they in
crease their expenses, their opportunities for
gain are cut off by loss of reputation.
Thus the old fable of the race between
the tortoise and the hare is being continually
illustrated in the business world. The
mechanic or merchant who POUNDS bust
ness upon good principals, of which honest
dealing is,one, may be tortoise-like in his
movement, but be has staying powers, and
will reach the end of his journey before his
more active but unsrupulous rival who stops
by the wayside for the epjoyments he can
not find within himself.
Honesty, however, has broader meaning
than that usually given to it. 1t does not
relate solely to money transactions, the
charging of fair prices, the prompt payment
of bills and the like. Thorough honesty re-
quires fair dealing in all respects, the scru-
pulous fulfllment of promises, good work,
fair measure, open and aboveboard treat
nlent-everything, in short, which goes to
make up the character of business man
entitled to the fullest t,ust of his customers
The reputation of such honesty is not to
be gained in day, but by years of upright
conduct, and once fairly gained, it is main
stay of prosperity. 1t is part Of the bust
ness capital which suffers no shrinkage,
whatever may be the condition of the money
market. 1t is an element of true happiness
that may survive the loss Of fortune, and
is, therefore, more to be treasured than
riches themselves. Yet this character, this
reputation is within the reach of any man
who determines to be just in his dealings,
Fortune comes to few, character, reputa-
tion, self-respect, and the happiness which
these bring within them, are to be had with
out labor, it is true. but by anyone who
strives to lead an upright honorable life.
| Young men in particular, who are natur-
ally under the greatest temptations to seek
easy aud treacherous means ofadyancement,
would do well to consider these things, and
while not seeking to be honest as mere
matter of policy, determine to establish for
themselves character and a reputation for
fairness and brightness, because such char
acter is essential to right living, and be.
cause without right living there can be nc
true happiness nor success in this world oil
| IN tho world IN anna