Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1902-05-16
Thou Shalt Not Lie"

l
tics of the present day it has occurred To me
whether the often asserted proposition that
professional politician must lie is sound as
| a logical forerunner of success or not. I'm
doubleday many of "the most prominent
and successful" do lie from year to year
until many of them have grown hoary with
old age, and literally overburdened with in
Vulnerable positions of profit and trust /;
aye, until it hardly seems like poll tics when
their physiognomies are not in evidence in
the public places where manki nd, OF GER
tain class, are wont to resort. Nevertheless,
| read in Holy Writ that amidst the mutter-
ings and tremblings, thunderings and light
nings, of Mount Sinai the mandate was sent
to man, "Thou shalt not lie." In vain, have
| searched the records to see whether any
reservations were made In favor OF polit-
clans and conclude that this class was not
excepted. 1t is true such politics as we now
have were not then In vogue. In those days
the people were generally ruled with rod
of iron; it was for the people to obey and
the selfconstituted off1ceholders, self.styled
"Kings and Emperors by Divine Grace" to
appropriate all the Offices and political plum.
buildings unto themselves, their heirs and
assigns for ever, without accountability to
the people and consequently 1t was unneces-
sary to make pledges.
In modern days-in American, In Mary
land, in Montgomery politics-the scheme
seems to be "fool the people by soft, velvety
words, by false hopes and false promises
always playing skillfully upon the hopes and
fears OF the thoughtless, the selfish, the cow
ardly. All OF us have seen how bold and
plausible lies count more, oftentimes, than the
truth-and some Of US become dsheartened
when we see the open-mouthed and brazen.
faced liar stalking about as the conquering
hero. To all such say, Trust in God, "Who
hateth lie."
The solution of this question seems 10 de-
pend upon whether man should really live
for honor for glorious hereafter or for office,
pelf and selfish aggrandizement. Far better
desert "the maddening crowd" than TO live
and die a ialsifer, liar, dissimuator-a
renegade to the truth and poltroon to
duty-a traitor to all noble motives.
st. Paul was asked by a Roman Judge,
"What is the Truth" This looks like the
Romans, just preceding the downfall Of that
Great Republic, had become 80 familiar with
lies and deception, that even one OF its
judges was DESTROYS of having the learned
and eloquent Paul teach him In the rudi-
ments OF the truth.
There is no occasion looking even TO sue.
cess (regardless of morality for any man to
lie unless he be coward, either morally or
mentally-moraly, when he has not the
courage of his convictions; mentally, when
he fears that II he tell the truth somebody
might show his position is untenable,
From public standpoint the man who
aspires TO represent the people should be re-
garded and treated as traitor and per-
jurer who harbors any views touching
the public service" which he by deception
keeps from the knowledge of those he IS
seeking to serve, and unless he intends to
serve them he has no right to their sufrages.
Therefore, it is their right to know the
thoughts, on all public matters, of those who
are seeking their suffrage.
Ii your readers will excuse me will sug-
gest that the best way TO determine who
should represent the people Is study OF
the character of the applicant from youth
up and his surroundings, and that little or
no regard be paid TO campaign pledges.
Judge tree by its fruit"-not rain storm
by its wind Good fruit proves that the
tree is good. But wind, gushing wind, does
not always bring rain.
Unless the people arise to the sublimity of
true Americanlsm, viz, TO admiration OF men
of truth, and honesty OF purpose, even II they
be little slow of speech and less catchy" 10
their ways than others, and not applaud the
imtators OF the dissimulating serpent which
beguied Eve, BY assuring her that If she
would do as it wished she would get some
real nice, and she would know everything
and hold her position for all eternity, the
days of the Republic are numbered, and Its
downfall sure. For free institutions cannot
last when no one has any confidence In any
body.
A cancer in the human body is not more
| "a al I'D haEQ mr. IN
body polite. Truth is the foundation stone
on which all human as well as divine insti-
tutons stand
| A man OF truth is brave man, whether
| in peace or war, and, the storms may beat,
but he will ever stand as a bulwark OF de-
fence to those who trust and honor him. IL
is absolutely condition precedent to the
well being of State that the people should
| be careful to select such men.
II has been published that Cardinal Glib
bons recently sent the following to the ZIP
worth League, and as 1t is worthy Of all ac-
ceptation conclude by quoting his words,
with warmest approval:
an reply to your request, the Cardinal
directs me to say The virtues he would
especially recommend to young men are
truth and sincerity Of character. The high
est compliment that can be bestowed on q
man is to say of him that he is man OF his
word and the greatest reproach that can
be cast on an individual Is 10 assert that he
has no regard for the virtue of veracity
Truth is the golden coin with Gods image
stamped upon II that circulates among men
of all nations and tribes and peoples and
tongues its standard value never changes
nor depreciates.
"'Truth has such face and such a mien,
i l.. H.. - a. ...u