The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-29
The Opinions OF a BEGINNER.


The New York 7fmcs's theory OF GoDKH
and Godkinism is not the less interesting
because it is unsound. We regard it as a
valuable and significant circumstance that
our morning Mugwump contemporary
should address itself at last. in the true
spirit of scientific inquiry. to the serious
consideration Of the question whether the
editor Of the Evening Post. with whom II
has been keeping company. as they say
down East. for q term Of at least seven
years. is wilful liar. morally responsible
for his mendacity, or merely an irresponsl-
BILE pathological specimen.
Speaking OF the recent exposure OF Mr..
GoDKIN's peculiarities, as displayed in the
incident Of the saloons alleged to be too
near the public schools. the Times expresses
these views:
The untruths tho editor Of the Etenns Pos so fro
queny prints and obstiuateiy sticks to under
rection not In the proper OF the term lies
They not uttered with tho wicked intent TO deceive
Others but in tho effort to relieve his spirit ef
fort when is successful that works like tho casting
out of devils. . Lies have their origin In moral
depravity. and suppose every will admit that
the editor OF the Erening Post IL morally symmetrical
and superb. 1t plain to that the Poa does
sciously and wilfully lie The Sun contends. The
basis of its errors. We have long been con.
WINGED. is to BIO sought in a mental state Of
emotion. and back Of that, OF course In a
physical disturbance In short when the Pax is In
pain it cries out and throws thnss at those whom it
supposed to be tie OF discomfort and OF
1t Is not at such times particular about the choice
of its words its missiles That its irresponsible be-
havior should provoke controversies Is inevitable but
have always felt that these outbreaks called for tho
pathologsts microscope rather than for brickbats"
This is practically identical with the
famous divvle theory Of Mr.. GoDKIN's
performances. formerly entertained by US
as a working hypothesis. but long ago
definitely abandoned because it was made
quate. Tho beginner in the study Of this
subject is always attracted by the notion
that there really exists q good GoDK1N. NOR
ally respectable and trustworthy when left
to itself. but possessed with u malignant.
malevolent. and phenomenally mendacious
divvle. forever struggling, for the mastery.
At first sight the divvle. or dual-nature
theory. seems quite satisfactory. but 1t
does not stand the test OF profounder
philosophy. or OF prolonged observation.
1t Is not borne out by repeated readings
OF the alethometer, covering considerable
period Of time. That relentless instrument
exhibits altogether too much divvle and
altogether too little good GoDKIN to justify
the hopes OF those who are naturally in
clined to be charitable in their view Of the
Evening Posts characteristic performances.
or reluctant 10 believe the worst Of fellow
journalist.
Tho Times. therefore. stands just about
where The sun stood several years ago.
when our attention was first drawn to the
mysteries of the Eocning Post's mendacity.
It is no disparagement OF the intelligence or
the candor Of this new Mugwump investiga-
tor OF Godkinism TO say that his present
opinions on the subject correspond. chrome
logically. to the crude theory OF electricity
which prevailed at the beginning OF the last
century. or even to the pre-Pythagorean
conception of the universe.