The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-10-25
wHATTHE COUNTRY NEEDS.

The following is from recent letter
from Rev. Sam Jones, and has SO much
meat in it that we give it to our readers:
Talk about an honest difference of
opinion. Where do opinions come
from? 4 mans opinions are only
worth possessing and maintaining
when they come of research, expert
ence and wisdom.
You hear men say II follow my con-
science" or 81 will die by my opin-
ions," or "my principles are the correct
ones" etc. Ny conscience is like my
watch, it can only be trusted when it
is carefully regulated, and has proven
itself reliable. So no man can trnst
conscience, principles or opinions until
they have been regulated and tested by
right standards.
Or, rather, conscience is like a tar
bucket on the hind axle Of a wagon.
It's about the last thing to come up.
Some men may die by right convic-
tions, but surely they won't live by
them.
I want to Sc a wise strong man
turned loose, untrammelled by fear
and unpurchasable by rewards, and
unterrorlzed by enemies, and un-
swerved by friends-just to see what
he would do.
The nation never needed such men
in Congress, in editorial chairs, in pull
pit and in society as it needs them to-
dav. Such men, in the majority,
would regulate and run this country
grandly.
A mans conscience is only valuable
as a guide of right living when it has
been properly trained and is enlight-
ened. Still the voice Of conscience
should not be hushed, and there should
be more heed given to it. We do not
know that we agree with Mr.. Jones,
that the conscience is always the last
thing to come up. 1t may be after it
has been pushed aside and driven back
for many years. BY constant treat
ment of this kind a man may put it so
far behind that it will not even be as
near to the front as the tar-bucket on
the wagon.
But the point that we wanted to en-
phasize in this extract is the need OF
lust such a man, or lot Of them, as
Mr.. Jones wants to see turned loose.
ga wise, strong man, untrammelled Dy
fear and unpurchasabie by rewards,
unterrorized by enemies and unswerVed
by friends" It would be interesting to
note just what be would do. His con-
science would not have to occupy the
place of the tar-bucket on the wagon.
There is greatneed and much room
not for one such man-but for many OF
them in this country in every depart
ment and vocation in life.
But pity it is that in these times the
demagogues and politicians seem to be
on top and running things. to suit
themselves. Maybe it will not always
be thus.
The demand is here for big men.
Men with big hearts and big brains
and big consciences. We need to be
rid of so much narrowness and bitter
ness and selfishness. We need to rid
ourselves of that idea, Every man for
himself and the devil take the hind
most" No man can live to himself.
We are dependent upon each other.
If there were a clearer realization OF
this truth, ard there were more SYM
pathy, ond i:iose who are strong would
lend helping hand to their less tortu-
nate neighbors, the world would be
better for it. We need broad-minded,
liberty-loving, patriotic men in puoilc
places. The country needs more states
manship and fewer selfish demsgogues
in high official places.