The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1892-07-21
Guiding Principles.
From the baltimore Sun:

1uAdlliS IIluclpl0S.
From the Baltimore Sun:
Men OF promptness and decision are
always guided by some kind of principle;
it may or may not be a good principle,
but 1t is rule OF action already thought
out which has only to be applied Those
who are without principle are not only
hesitating and undecided, but they are
likely to be cratic. Their opinions
change from day to day, according to
the phases of questions presented to
them. They trim their sails for every
breeze for they are travelling without
chart There are good and bad princi-
Piles of action, though the term is ordi-
narily limited to good principles, as when
we say that man without principle is
a bad man. This means that he has not
adopted principles generally recognized
as moral and right; it does not mean
| that he is without decision of character
or rules of action. The INSCRIPTIONS
speculator is without moral principles,
but he is usually consistent, determined
and prompt in his decisions His princi-
! EiCo tiC purely stlISD, OuU lOiIOWo
them as rigidly as men with high princi>
Piles follow theirs. Young men cannot
begin too early in life to establish in
their minds certain moral principles as
guides to action. With such principles
they can withstand temptations which
if yielded TO will develop weakness of
character such as is shown by irresolu>
ton. The young man of principle does
not stop to argue when he is invited to
join in some degrading amusement; he
instinctively and firmly refuses to en-
gage in it because he knows it to be
wrong He does not hesitate, thus leav-
ing the way open to persuasion, nor does
he expose himself to actual temptation,
as he might do if he had no moral prin
ciples to guide him. After a time his
companions, associates and chance ac-
quaintances recognize that he is guided
by principle, his reputation becomes es-
tablished and he is is relieved of invita-
tions to wrong doing, because, in the
process of natural selection, those who
are not in sympathy with him cease. to
consort with him. An opposite and
Injurious effect is produced upon the
young man who is without moral prin-
ciple to guide him. He may be a neutral
quantity morally; that is to say, neither
moral nor immoral, his character being
uniformed. The invitation or temptation
to wrong doing comes to him and he has
no principle to guide him. He hesitates,
persuasion or false argument leads him
the wrong way and his course themes
forward is downward. He, too, estab
fishes reputation, but it is that of weak
ness, and the process OF natural selection
in his case gives him companions who
multiply the temptations placed in his
path. Some young men are taught
moral principles from the books in school
or in college, others learn them from
their mothers, and this last is the better
way, for the boy who has been taught
by a loving mother to do that which is
right, to respect himself and to honor :
her, has guide with him always in his
memory of her. Some day he will go
out into the world where she cannot be
present to advise him, but if he remem-
bers her precepts he will carry with him
principles that will always guide him
Alright. If doubt arises it can always be
solved by asking the question, What
would mother say?" The boy knows in
stinctively what she would say and he
can safely follow her guidance long after
she has been laid at rest or until his own
character has been firmly established,
and he has become guide to others.
The formative period for character be-
gins when one is very young, but the
critical time is when the young man or
young woman has been thrown upon
eide moral and other questions without
assistance. 1t is then that moral prin
ciples are most needed; principles that
when properly applied answer any ques-
ton that may arise and leave no room
open for doubt or hesitation. The man
with guiding principles for his moral
life, for his business transactions, for
his political and other beliefs, is not only
a good man, but a strong man. He has
decision of character. He does not hest
tate but his opinions rise nstnctively
to his mind, being guided by reason that
has become crystalzed. On some new
questions they may not be altogether
definite at first; time may be required
for the consideration of new phases of
an old question, but the general guide
is there, and the conclusion when reached
will be consistent with what has gone
before. The man with principles is not
cratic. He may change his views in
the course of time, but only because he
has also changed his principles He
keeps with him guide 10 action. and is
always strong, masterful character.