The morning call., 1894-04-06
EX-President Harrison S
Plain Talk.
ADVICE TO A NEW SOCIETY.
A Mistake to Say 81 Am Holier
Than Thou"
HIS RULE FOR MORAL REFORM.
The First Lecture of the San Fran
cisco Ethical Society Is Heard
by Large Audience.

Golden Gate Hall was crowded to the
doors last night by an audience represent
ing the best grades of San Francisco
society. 1t was the occasion CT the first
lecture of the Ethical Association of San
Francisco ana ex-PreSident Benjamin
Harrison delivered an address.
Judge w. W. Morrow presided and
around him on the stage were seated Mr..
ford University; Rabbi VoOrsanger, Rev.
Morton, John F. Merrill. Frank j.
Symmes, Phelan W, Ames. +. A. hyde,
j. Z. Tucker. Louis Gerstle, A. ). Hal
Idle, Ira p. Rankin, Charles Holorook,
Osgood Putnam. Horace Wilson, Isaac
Hecht, Elisha Brooks, John Vance
Cheney, Oliver Eldridge, a. n. Brown
and Professor Edward Howard Griggs.
The meeting was called to order by Judge
of the association, which. according TO
prospectus, are as follows: Its purpose
is TO be the educator and instructor OF It's
members and of the general public upon
the subjects of ethics, economies. the eth
ical aspects of political and social Ques
tons, the responsibilities of moral action.
the duties of citizenship and to gradually
become center for the expression OF the
best public sentiment OF the cOmmunl ty.
Professor Griggs spoke on the Basis OF
Moral Life" His address covered wide
field of knowledge. and proved to be q
finished and interesting discourse. Mr..
Griggs is professor of ethics at Stanford
University anu holds high ideals in NOR
nls, so his lecture was heard with double
charm by ali present.
By way Of a preface eX-Presdent HarTl-
son remarked he did not know definitely
TeE,i ion fru aaly sd
for, although he supposed hat its aims
were of moral nature, public and prl-
vate II suppose" said he. that its eX-
istence implies there are lmmOralities IN
San Francisco, but Will not touch on
them; the reception given Dir. Stead I'D
Chicago recently, after his discussion OF
immoralitleS, has put me on my guard.
Mr.. Harrison advised the society to go
ahead with determination and fix its at
tenti0n on something that needs to be
mended ia San Francisco. Let the
broadcast hberality ard charity and kind
ness characterize your society. There IS
a tendency in all reforms to be extreme,
the distinction that ought to be made is
often missing. If you meet people who
differ from YOU, treat them kindly. De-
nunciation Is not the weapon for an ETH
cal society. 1t is not hammers you need
in a work like this. Leaven is the agency.
that subtle force that enters into tbe
hearts of men and works outward. We
have too much headline oratOry in this
age.
Another thing wish to suggest-iti Is
the appearance of one class OF men 10 set
shout reforming another class. That went |
Go. Take the labor question, what is thu |
embarrassment in settling that question? I
Il is that one side is heard in the directors |
room, the other in The wOrkmen's lodge. |
The difference is prolonged. There Is DO !
common forum for them TO discuss ques-
e ho, tn hay MI
meet for discussion. Ii there is to be COM
promise those Two sides must be brought
together in kindly, liberal, friendly dis
cussion: and if after search you and there
is some evil in San Francisco, try II
reach it if you can by intelligent friendly
discussion.
"The man who says I am hoier than
thou cannot influence the other man. /
hope you will not frame a moral code.
One great trouble with present retormers
is they will not allow any one who will
not accept their caeeds tc debate with
them. That is all wrong. Let rs accept
the opinion of some men who are willing
to meet US. [ know there are some re-
forms that are greatly hampered by this
spirit. The law is not perfect code OF
morals; 1t does not reach every relation In
life, but it prescri bes the way for good Cit
Zens. II all the laws Of California and all
the ordinances of San Francisco were
faithfully regarded by every citizen it
would be a better place 10 live lnithGn It
is now. The law as q rule of duty 10 the
citizen is one We can well set up ana cnal-
lenge every mans help. Unoer this popu-
lar system of government we nave 1t In
our mower to make better laws. IL there
are breaches of the law in San Francisco
10 correct these evils is a worthy object
for your society. Get everybOdy's help.
Don't separate yourself as society from
the poor. the men aud women who can
help you most and can give you help you
will find among the humble classes OF this
community Let them see that there is a
brotherhood and sIsterhood In which they
can enter"
The sneaker created laughter by stating
as his belief that if the wives and sisters
present were to tell upon their husbands
or brothers, the men think their duty ends
with expressing adherence at some social
or moral evil.
He said that things have to grow as bad
as they can become before change for
The better takes place. People know 1t.
he continued. They know that cities are
in the hands of thugs and thieves and
boodlers, but they don It try to improve mat
iers. Forget your partisan spirit and come
together in a movement for the purity OF
the country's morals, for good government
and the nation.
1T is because our police regulations be-
come insufficient that people take the law
into tuelr own hands. Ihls Thing seems 10
be growing, and it should be suppressed.
1t is a disgrace. scandal TO our country
that one can't take up a morning paper
without reading OF some murder TO aveDge
another crime.
Il think il would be good thing now
ana then if we could build monument 70
the officer of the law who died in doing his
duty in saving a criminal from Iy1chiDg.
The next thing to do is to see that the law
must take its course. LyDching is the re-
sGlt of the inexcusable hardness of our
criminal courts in bringing criminals to
justice. You can regulate that by holding
those responsible when you come TO do
your duty at The ballot box"
he speakers last words were enthusi-
asucally applauded, and as he retired the
applause continued until vote Of thanks
was given him and the young professor
from PalO Alto.