The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-07
THE PUBLIC CONSCIENCE
ONCE FIXED m IS AOT Easily
LLTERTD. sfis DE. ciLfsCH.
shouid BE Aroused To Condemn the
Wrong 90 An Eloquent Discourse on
''Predesiinatlon aud Free Agency"

Rabbi T. n. Calisch spoke yes
1erday morning at 1890 o'clock in
Beth u\haba on "The Public Con-
science" taking his text from Exodus
E.2 lilo began By saying that civilization
was the fruit OF the consolation Of men.
AS long as the Indian remains IN his
wigwam he remains an Indian. as Emer-
con puts it. But. when the Indian steps
out Of his wigwam the long way toward
the elimination OF human accomplishment
begins to be shortened.
Civilization makes possible many things
which individual effort could not possibly
bring about
FRUITS OF CIVILIZATION.
But the fruits OF civilization are not 10
be found only in the material tokens OF
It's activity. such as public buildings.
parks. postoflices. libraries. Jails. schools.
etc. There are other ouigrowths OF the
association OF men. though Invisible 10
the physical eye. yet none the less power
fui factors in the progress OF tho race
Among these are public opinion. and the
public conscience.
To many these may appear. II not
identical. yet very closely associated. But
they have many distinguishing charac-
teristlcs. Public opinion IS variable and
uncertain: tho public conscience once fix
ed Is not easily altered. Public opinion
Is comfortable by the individual, the pub
lie conscience IS beyond the power Of in
dividual influence. Public opinion is often
the slavo-the public conscience Is al
ways the master. Public opinion Is often
dohcd with impunity: the public con-
science cannot with impunity be violated.
Public opinion is often artifcially built
up the public conscience is tho slow and
sure growth that nature makes her own.
A SENSE OF RIGHT.
In every community there Is sense OF
right. that IS tho outgrOwth Of the civil
lization OF that community; but once
created the public conscience is tho mas
ter over its parent 1t sets up standard
OF conduct. and the community must
measure up TO that standard
Public opinion deals with the person
the public conscience with the deed. The
former may be divided as 20 the guilt
or innocence Of the doer; tho public con
science has only one course emphaucaily
30 condemn the action that is wrong, 10
commend the deed rightly done.
But like that of an individual. the pub
Tic conscience may become dulled and
deadened And j fear that IS the fault
with US to-day. The many evils and tho
fragrant social wrongs of which We COM
eish public conscience permits them. We
inveigh against the political corruption
and the venality of public servants. but
We do nothing moro. When the Official
steps out Of his Office and becomes phi
waite citizen. he is received into society.
no matter how black the charges pre-
ferred against him. and uncontradicteo.
There are certain business methods I'm
vogue that are more legal than they
are moral. but they are practiced and Will
be 50 as long as tie public conscience per-
mits them. II is no justification 10 man
performing shady transactions. 10 say
that all DO them. The evil OF a multitude
never Justified tho evil Of tho individual.
JUDICIAL PROCEDURE.
OF our judicial procedure there IS much
10 lament. 10 was only this week that
local paper CThe Leader rightly con-
demned an action that took place in At
lanta. where q prominent society young
man. guilty Of rObbng an association.
was permitted to go unwhipped OF justice.
because his friends made restitution 10
the society 10 IS only a deadened public
conscience that permits this. that permits
all betrayals Of trust and defalcations.
and prejudlced juries and dishonest specu-
lation. II IS because We are worshipers
OF success. and we are blind 10 the me
thods by which the success IS attained.
Men tliiNt LfAlNNniN ~ ne AANitf 'iAA NttAf
rich because a collapsed public con-
science permits a sicklied public sentiment
20 idolizo wealth. and close its eve TO the
avenues whereby the wealth came.
AN AROUSED PUBLIC CONSCIENCE.
what IS needed IS an aroused public con-
science that shall condemn wrong, and
give its approval 20 worthy ends and high
ideals.
Some men will always do as wrong as
they are permitted 20 do. II is the duty
OF the moral element 10 insist upon honest
action and 20 conserve the moral growth
OF the community. This must come from
the fear OF Cod" for where there IS no
fear Of God I'm n community there are no
Justice. no truth. no honor
This aroused public conscience shall be
like the still small voice that came 10 the
prophet I'm the wilderness. insisting upon
Righteousness. through whIrlwind Of sin.
through storm Of passion. through up
hcavals Of violence always insistent on
the right always persistent for morality.
The service was largely attended. and
the eloquent words OF the Rabbi proved
food for reflection and inspiration for
wholesome thought.