The independent., 1903-02-12

is the duty of the man who guides in
struction to frame standards and to
give them correct, concrete applica-
ton. This is his function. 1t Is a
novel principle in morals that, as one
does not know all things, he need give
himself no trouble to know anything;
that because one does not see distinct
ly the obstacle on the horizon, he may
stumble over the stone under his feet.
The critic proceeds to affirm that
his rule does not hold in the rare
cases in which a redress is possible OF
the wrong done. How is one to know
whether redress is possible If he is at
liberty to take money in complete
ignorance? If the claims of the hun
dreds who think themselves to have
been wronged in business relations by
the Standard Oil company were enter
tanned, its gifts would be swallowed
up in an instant.
But the critic urges thta there is
every degree in wrong-doing. Ger
tainly; but large share of the Ques-
tions of life are questions of degree.
How dishonest may my partner be
and | still do business with him
How corrupt may political party
become and l still support it?
But the critic urges that there is
not affected, and ought not to be af-
fected, by the want of integrity in
those who sustain it. Neither of these
propositions are true. | shall mention
no names, for these would introduce
confusing considerations. Two pro-
fesSOrs Of sociology, men of marked
ability, original investigation, and So
Der opinions, have lost their positions
some time since and have never been
restored to college work. One of these
was mentioned to college president
as suitable person to fill vacancy.
The response was, Il cannot appoint
him. | shall retire shortly, and | do
not know from whom my successor
will wish to obtain money" There
is worldly wisdom for you, heaped up
and running over. To suppose that
the same man will accept Rockefel-
ler's money and condemn Rockefeller
is to imagine that president in the
same act will fall below the claims of
honor and rise up to those of duty. The
critic plays his men as if there were
not a particle of human nature in
them, and as though they would turn
up black or turn up white, precisely
as he might wish.
The question is easily settled. The
proper time to express an opinion is
before the gift is completed, while
there is still freedom of action on
both sides. Say to Mr.. Rockefeller
and to the public, as the transaction
is a public one-"I utterly repudiate
your methods" and then see how large
a gift will be received. If a presi-
dent should say at an annual meeting
of alumni, ''The college has secured
another large sum from Mr.. Rockefel-
Ter, but as there is general feeling
against his methods of business,
must improve the occasion to remark
that the Standard Oil company is 4
heartless monopoly and that it's Off
GERS have done more to debauch busi-
ness morality than all the thieves be-
hind prison bars" The alumni would
look in all directions for an exit from
the cruel dilemma put upon them
searching for it with as much eager
ness and jostling as men manifest in
escaping from burning theater. Mum
is the word, the best word, and the
only proper word, in such transac-
tiOns.
Let us cast off the works of dark
ness and put on the armor of light
Have no fellowship with the unfruit-
full works of darkness, but rather re-
prove them. Certainly these precepts
should meet with some recognition in
a divinity school and in a Christian
college, sO-called.
JOHN BASCOM.
Williams College, Wiliamstown
Mass"