Evening star., 1901-07-26
The Cure for Perjury.

To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
Attention Is lately being called to the
shameful prevalence Of perjury. The sub
ject is indeed. of very serious moment
and merits most careful and thorough con-
sideration. Thus far criticisms and sug-
gestions have fallen short Of giving the
real explanation of the situation and the
effectual remedy. 1t Is true that the In
different, even slovenly, manner in which
oaths are usually administered is largely
responsible for the lack of respect toward
them on the part Of the sworn. When ofti-
cials treat the oath In any but reverent
manner, in their perfunctory mumbling
thereof, how expect the laity TO attach
much Importance? II oaths were to oe
used at all It should be only upon really
important and serious occasions, In I'M
pressive manner. Their frequent and IN
consequential use becomes levity, inviting
disregard and contempt. And their al
ministration, as Is frequently tne case os
men of personal profaneness, Is an insult
But the real treatment and consluera-
tior of this subject lie beyond this surface
view The custom Of administering oaths
most of the unreliability of testimony. It
inheres In the nature of things ana OK
men that subjective attitudes are conLa-
gtous mo man lives unto himself rus
personality-his mental ana morai state'
his spiritual energy-affects all surround
ings, whether he will or not BY a SUB.
tie process, whether called psychological
or spiritual-it may be nkened unto sus
gestion or hypnosis, or 1t may pc regaroeo
es a yibratory current of psychic force or
spiritual energy Gt is not necessary nero
70 discuss the process of mystery)-the
fact is that the moral or SPIRITUAL atti-
tude Of one person tends to pervade the
moral or spiritual atmosphere OF others,
and. to the extent of the strength OF MS
personality, actually anects ana mouiies
tn, condition of those whom ne meets.
The attitude OF doubt ana distrust
pressed In the requirement OF an oatn sa
arouses, even unconsciously, maybe, a as
nosition Of resentment, OF evasion and IN
sincerity People partake OF the 1nnuences
about them Antagonistlo .n. ,niauen S .r,,et-
ful ones stimulate confidence ana sincerity.
This is the significance OF some OF the very
important admonitions and rules or n1e ex-
nressed in the New Observation-Disclosures
tai principles of the new faith-which are
today not only ignored but even r1diculed,
by Christendoml 1t certainly apples with
much force to the question OF oaths. swear
ing not only will not, but even cannot,
change facts nor an individuals attitude
toward them. The upright need no oath
and the base reverence none. Inc oath Is
This matter is Of sufficient Importance to
have received particular mention by the
Teacher Of Gallilee, whose instructions on
all subjects express the essential, funda-
mental and ultimate nature OF things. He
tom of swearing {not ordinary, foolish pro-
family, but swearing to emphasize and es-
tablish testimony, and taught not to swear
at all.
The notion that an oath strengthens tes-
timony is not wholly true. It rather weak
ems it by confessing the unreliability of the
testator. The oath will not correct the
moral lack. nor, as before said. will 1t
change the facts on which testimony is
given. In this light, read the following
from Matt. ". ss. So: "You have heard
that 1t has been said by the ancients you
shall not forswear yourself Commit per-
jury), but shall perform unto the Lord your
oaths' (be religiously sincere in them-the
very attitude today commonly expressed by
those who lament the prevalence of per-
jury, but say unto you, swear not at all
Neither shall you swear by
your head, because you cannot make one
hair black or white. But let your commu-
nication be Yes. yes:' mo. no. for whatso-
ever Is more than these comes OF evil"
In other words, We should not presume to
coerce the supreme powers to be our vouch-
ers, nor should we dishonor our own in
tegrity by using other than the simple tes-
timony Of affirmation or denial. II our up-