The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-11-06
The Value Of Reputation.

In his speech 10 the Jury IN the McGu
case. Lawyer Lee. OF the counsel for 'h'
defense, used this language:
..srhe very instant that evil Is spoken @
you. the very instant that some ma,ls
nam tongue sends forth a rumor. whether
true or untrue OF your misconduct
haven't YOU fotiad more people reatv u
believe IL than disnelieve II!
..fIonnr bright. hasn't that been the
experience OF every man on this jury
And 40 far as YOU have been able TO Ne
ter,nine. has il not beer the experiences
of every mar whom YOU have had orpor'
t,,ni,ics OF observing In that respect NJ !.
creates, OF all writer's OF the Eng'ish
language has ep.tonised .liat truth. JIG
ms told YOU that the evl HAT men dc
lives ate. them: the good Is Oft inferred
with their bones Why the Almighty, III
His infinite wisdom, created us. as we
ar. told. In His own image: why f1s
should have so constructed the human
hear, and human mind that II Is eve.
,,eadv 10 believe evil. oa!y God faimse,i
in His wisdom knows.
You may live a long life dotted mere
and there and all along the line WIN no.
Mo deeds. a,u; unless that life has been
lived in fhe full sisre OF the phps.s INV
that OF a statesman. or a mighty general,
az. a rr,at orator. yo,, die and sonly your
,.,,,,efl.ate circle Of friends know OF the
f,.sa,,,y ~ yci,r life. But as you struggle
and ;o;te. along that road ti,ai isaus
from the cradle TO the grave. II you SIP
IN. orce II YOU once stain Your Ecod
name generations TO come after sou Wi
remember ii and speak OF H.
There is aro.iie. side 70 this interesting
discourse which should moi, he lost sight
Of Mr.. Lee does not understand why
tho ,A,r,;s s,ty. in His infinite wisdom,
should have SO constructed the human
hear. and human mind that II is ever
ready 10 believe evil. But II seems 70 ns
that there is GOOD reason Tor il. In
another par. OF his speech he graphically
described the .orceful influence of public
sentiment Public sentiment Is the great
eat OF all restraining influences, humanity
speaking. 1t is q daring and reckless and
deyil-may-care sort of man or woman
who cares nothing for public sentiment.
Mos, men ana women fear it as the!
fear nothing. save the vengeance OF God:
and fearing T. they are restrained BY II
every moment o, their lives. They are
restrained by public sentiment, and they
are restrained blythe very fact which Mr..
Lee emphasizes. that men and women
are disposed to think evil Therefore,
those who value their reputation for
truth and honesty and virtue are very
GA refu, TO avoid even tbs appearance o.
evil. to give their fellows no possible
,rre,ex, for thinking or speaking evil OF
them. Frequently they will not do TINS
thing or the, thing, and especially IS tnis
true OF women. however innocent 1t may
s,c 81 itself. because they fear that the
act viii be u.isconstrued. We arc all
weak. and in orr struggles TO 90 right
we need inci;er.eDt, on the one hahu'
and restraining influences, on the otner.
There is g reason, NE repeat, and 1t seems
10 as a divine reason for ths disposition
of Gods crea lures to eEiticse the con-
,sqict OF their fellows. and even 10 give
cred ence 10 evil reports.
But. in justice TO humanity; II justice
10 t,1ese who have been created in the
image O.. Coo, 1t Is also fair 70 siate--ior
i, is q isct-iha: while men and women
;,,,oEinr the Weaknesses OF the aesh, are
dis-r,.se-s 10 think evil. they are. for the
sane rsasoa. knowing their oH'n weak
rassx. disposed 70 be charitable TO those
who fall into error. and they are dis
r.,.sed. Shakespeare 10 the contrary not
vg1thsianding. 70 give credit for the gtod
rat men and women Go, and to offset
t;Isy are Usually fair in making UP their
-s.dsct II q nan has lived good life,
avoiding even those things which appear
10 be eTii. ard finally there be some
whisper OF scandal against him there
are at least many nen and women who
E4n nor believe The charge until salts
factory proof is forthcoming. They say
.az. sucn an act is at variance with the
general conduct OF the person accused,
with iais habits OF life: out OF
harmony Nth his general reputation. AID.
in view o. his good living, they give him tho
be1.eh. OF the ,louot- tThs world t,kcs
nose OF men and women, OF their daily
life. and 1t Is very shrewd In estimating
caArac'of. II !s aiHbSl AlipoH'ptc io1
man or woman q lead a double life
withou. being discovered. The general
reputation OF a man or woman in the
community IN which such a person lives
may almost invariably be taken as fair
estimate Of the character OF that man or
woman. II II be good, 1t will be difficult
for the tongue OF scandal to injure It;
!f it bs bad. the public will be disposed
TO believe any evil reports that may be
circulated.
Reputation reputation, reputation.
have lost my reputation! have lost the
immortal part Of myself and what re-
mains is bestiai.'
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The Canadian Election.
The recent election In Canada was a
81, ,,intr