The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-06-20
GUIDING PRINCIPLES.

1890
ways guided by some kind Of principle; 1t
may or may not be good principle, but it
is q rule of action already thought out
Which has only to be applied. Those who
are without principle are not only hesitatlng
and undecided, but they are likely to be
cratic. Their opinions change from day
to day, according to the phases of ques-
ions presented to them. They trim their
sails for every breeze, for they are travel
ing without a chart. There are good and
bad principles of action, though the term
is ordinarily limited to good principles, as
when we say that man without principle
is a bad man. This means that he has not
adopted principles generally recognized as
moral and right; it does not mean that he
il without decision of character or rules OF
action. The INSCRIPTIONS Spectator is
without moral principles, but he is usually
consistent, determined and prompt in his
decisions. His principles are purely selfish,
but he follows them as rigidly as men with
high principles follow theirs. Young men
cannot begin too early in life to establish
in their minds certain moral principles as
guides to action. With such principles
they can withstand temptations which if
yielded to will develop weakness of charac-
ter such as is shown by irresolution. The
young man of principle does not stop to
argue when he is invited to join in any,
thing degrading; he instinctively and firmly
refuses to engage in it because he knows it
to be wrong. He does not hesitate, thus
leaving the way open to persuasion, nor
does he expose himself to actual tempta-
ton, as he might do if he had no moral
principle 10 guide him. After time his
qaaintances recognize that he is guided by
principle, his reputation becomes establish
cd and he is relieved Of invitations tow wrong
doing, because, in the process of natural
selection, those who are not in sympathy
With him cease to consort with him. A
similar though opposite effect is produced
upon the young man who is without moral
principle to guide him. He may be
neutral quantity morally; that is to say,
neither moral nor immoral, his character
being uniformed. The invitation or tempta-
ton to wrong-doing comes to him and he
has no principle to guide him. He hest
tates, persuasion or false argument leads
him the wrong way and his course thence
forward is downward. He, too, establishes
reputation, but it is that of weakness,
and the process of natural selection in his
case gives him companions who multiply
the temptations placed in his path. Some
young men are taught moral principles
from the books in school or in college,
Others learn them from their mothers, and
this last is the better way, for the boy who
has been taught by a loving mother to do
that which is right, to respect himself and
honor her, has guide with him always in
his memory of her. Some day he will 90
out into the world where she cannot be
present to advise him, but if he remembers
her precepts he will carry with him princi-
pies that will always guide him Alright If
doubt arises it can always be solved by
asking the question, 'What would mother
say?' The boy knows instinctively what
she would say and he can safely follow her
guidance long after she has been laid at
rest until his own character has been firmly
established, and he has become guide to
oEhers. The formative period for character
begins when one is very young, but the
critical time is when the young man has
been thrown upon his resources, and is
obliged to decide moral and other questions
without assistance. 1t is then that moral
principles are most needed; principles that
when properly applied answer any ques-
ton that may arise and leave no room open
for doubt or hesitation. The man with
guiding principles for his moral life, for his
business transactions, for his political and
other beliefs, is not only good man, but
strong man. He has decision of character.
lie does not hesitate, but his opinions rise
iastinctively to his him, being guided by
reason that has become crystallized. On
some new questions they may not be alto
getherdefinite at first; time may be required
for the consideration of new phases of an
Old question, but the general guide is there,
AID the conclusion when reached will be
consistent with what has gone before. The
man with principles is not cratic. He may
change his views in the course of time, but
only because he has also changed his prin-
eiples. He keeps with him guide to action,
aad lis always strong, masterful character.