The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-09-24
THE RRICE OF A SOUL.
From the Commoner

and Justify the practices of the public
franchise corporations. Sometimes
IN a contest between these 1rancnlSe
owners and the public, nearly every
important daily is subsidized, and yet
the people have %often triumphed IN
spite of the influence of these papers.
But what shall we say of the code or
journalistic ethics that will tolerate
this sale of n papers influence? Even
the advertising patronage has been
known to influence the editorial policy
of q paper. 1t is not rare tnlng IoT
an editor to refuse to puDllsh Iacl
that he knows to be true, where the
publication may array against him an
influential business interest.
College presidents and professors
have some times been led to make
their instructions harmonic Aith the
views of those from whom they ex-
pect, or have accepted, endoWments;
and ministers have at times kept silent
upon moral questions rather than
jeopardize the contributions made by
worldly minded pew-holders. III the
city ministers condemned gambilng
upon the stock exchange and in the
grain pit as stdenuously as they con-
denim the smaller and less injurious
forms of gambling it would not take
long to put an end to the speculation
which VictimiZeS traders, runs banks
and drives so many to suicide.
The desire TO secure social distinc-
ton has led a multitude Of men and
women to disregard their higher in
terests in order to conform to Gus
toms sanctioned by the exclusive set.
If the teachings of Christ can be ac-
cepted as a rule of conduct-and what
Christian can deny that they are the
only rule-how can the Christian
justify a lavish expenditure on fash
ionable dress and eXtravagant enter
tainments when the money is Sorely
needed to help the DOOR the sick and
stony ground upon which the words
of truth can fall than that furnished
by the heart of one who makes socia!
distinction the aim of life. All OF
the pure and tender emotions are
Stifed by the selfishness of a life de-
voted to personal display and social
success.
II is not necessary to elaborate the
methods employed by those who put
political preferment above the inter-
ests Of the soul. In times past.
mOnarchs have not hesitated to take
the life of any possible heir to the
throne, and ambitious generals have
marched to military erlinence through
the blood of thousands. Even today,
we witness the ruthless slaughter or
Russian peasants whose offense is that
they claim a voice i'm the government
nnder which they live. In republics.
and in constitutional monarchies
where legislative assemblies exist we
find two forms of surrender to evil:
one is the corrupt use of money in
elections. and the other is the advo-
cacy of things supposed to be popular
which the conscience does not az
prove. Gsitfi IT, ~ IT, So
Corruntion while disgracefulIy COM
mon Iii every part of the country is al
most universally condemned, and.
therefore. needs no special attention
here. Not so much has been said.
however. about the practice of making
ones views conform to the views OF
others for the purpose of securing po-
lftical advancement There are in
Vulnerable instances where men have
changed their views upon a public
question In order to remain in public
life or where they have changed their
views in going from one locality to
another The man who. to promote
his ambition advocates what he does
not conscientiously believe to be right
stands upon the same plane with the
business man who violates his con
science for trade advantage and is n
AT companion for the lawyer. who
sells his intellect to the highest bid
der. And no better is the business
man who advocates whatever policy
nj government he thinks will bring the
largest returns in his business. re-
CARELESS of the moral principles in
volved In the policy.
But enough has been said to show
that in every department Of life one
Is constantly tempted to put, selfish
considerations above that which ap-
peals TO his better nature, and what
reward does he secure? 1t is easier
to discuss this question with the old
than with the young. for those who
are advanced in years are prepared
to say with Solomon, that call is
vanity and veXation of spirit"
Neither wealth nor social distinction
nor yet political power can bring
peace to the human heart or satisfy
the aspiration of mans soul. The
conscience void of offense toward
God and man. is the one possession
which is above value, and no matter
by what route one seeks to escape
from his conscience, he is doomed to
disappointment at last The asking
OF question is a familiar form Of
argument. and no one ever used this
form OF argument with more affect
than Christ. Of all the questions pro-
pounded by Him no question goes
more unerringly to the heart than
this supreme one: "What shall it
profit a man if he gain the whole
world and lose his own soul?"
Wy