Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1889-08-31
THE ELL TALE

+tA1N AdPcuQs Nh NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ray child. Sometimes to tell tale is
mean; but also, sometimes it is very
heroic. very honorable in the highest
degree"
This lead to explanations, you may
be sure. Tho motive is everything.
The meanness OF tho mere informer,
the Peeping Tom who pliers informa-
ton through a Seyhole and tattles it,
She cowardly telling for the sake of
shielding ones self. or for revenge, or
10 get friend punished; this is one
thing. The schoolboy who likes to
tell on the other fellows, and is at it
all the while, playing spy, who does it
with pseudo-pious air before his
teacher, that he may be reckoned a lit
tie saint, and who is moro anxious to
catch others in wrong than himself
10 do positive right-that is one
thing.
Tho gossip who smacks her pardon
re, his-lips and gets of u damaging
story with a gusto that-shows he would
infinitely rather report sin than
virtue; low-browed spirit that is new
n heard to speak well OF any one. and
pockets all the good he hears OF others,
while he proclaims from the house-top
all the evil that is the despicable
character. The motives in these cases
ere all selfish.
But there is an informant who is
aven noble in his story. My child was
asked by me to relate what she knew
Of supposed wrong desd done by her
brother. Her brother was present to
hear the witness, there was no covert
stabbing him behind his b lc.I, aud he
was to have his tlrn ut re'utation.
asked it II, the head of the family
and lawful ruler. whose motive was
only justice, motive bound up in love
for them both. My right as ruler was
above all other rights. 1t included the
right to punish, and both of the chill
dren knew and confessed these rights
vested in me. | am human, and hence
limited in knowledge. l did not see
the dear boy do the wrong; only US
pected it. Possibly he did not commit
the deed. and facts would vindicate
him. At all events, | must have evil
lence, must ask some one. and in the
interest OF simple justice. To state the
facts under such circumstances would
DOT make the hesitating little witness
..tcll-tale." Col himself could not
see an evil motive in her precious
heart. She even pitied Charlie; her
eyes were all tears.
1t is not easy. unless parents and
others take pains, to teach these dis
sinctions. Boys won't tell, through
4 sense OF honor that is more often
false than true. Ask such boy what
he THINKS of the ends OF justice sought
m his country'5 court-rooms; by pro-
cess as dignifie1 as judge aud jury can
make it the witness tells what he
Snows. If men declined TO testify be-
cause tits mean to tell" how would
The theft ever be convicted, the traitor
known and hung. or the murderer
Not to tell what you know Of an evil
Iced will often, boys, rob you Of the
,hivalric power to defend the limo
cent or rescue the imperfect Not to
ell a crime within your knowledge
makes yol yourself, in the eyes OF
common law, a criminal by participa-
ion. 1t is itsclfa crime to know OF a
crime, uninforming. Take counter"
citing for instance. lfyou know and
hide the fact that any gang or person
IS engaged in this, you are helping;
ior concealment is absolutely neces-
sary to success, and, while the other
fellows contribute plates. printing,
and paper, you contribute conceal
ment. Boys, If they protest, ''it's
mean 10 tell" need to be taught that a
majestic system of ermined dignity
and power, from the Chief-Justice ut
Washington to the police judge would
soon shake such nonsense out Of
hem. On the contrary it is right to
ell, to tell unasked too, II you know
any lawless deed. The great God
will make us all tell at his judgement
seat
| The nursing OF another mans or boys
guilty secret is like taking fire, or per-
laps vitr1ol is better illustration, into
your jacket-poclet. No man has any
light to impose such burden on me.
''I'll tell you something" says the
whisperer, "if you will not tell it.
All right That implies that it is a
harmless and an honorable confidence.
But suppose he begins to secretly in
orm me Of high treason, or any other
wicked thing; | am not bound; on the
contrary, | am insulted by his con
idence. ara asked to help him cage
lis rattle snake No. sir! Let him
Keep his reptile to himself. am not
n that sort OF business. No oath TO
xeep wrong is binding. That would
DC making me promise to crfminate
myself Can any other man make it
light to compel me to do wrong? To
shield the guilty is always wrong.
III ha fnaroifttI IN the Y,auifant 60 ora