The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-10-03
ELEVATING THE PUBLIC CONSCIENCE.

The standard for the individual and the
public conscience is the same. 1t IS as
strict in one case as in the other. That
which is wrong in the individual is wrong
in the nation The idea that lower standard
than that which we recognize in our private
and personal life, will answer for the public,
is corrupting, weakens the sense of obliga-
ton, obscures the perceptions OF right and
wrong, and opens the floodgates to inn
moralties. In these public relations and
acts, it is too generally conceded, that
maxims of prudence and interest constitute
the rule, and whatever justifles itself at
this bar passes current as right. Hence 1t
occurs, that men who would blush to do
dishonorable or wrong act in their private
life, join in public acts of like nature with
an untroubed conscience, oftentimes in
deed glorying in them. Morality in pub
lie life is thus made mere arbitrary and
conventional thing. And this is always
debasing. For the people will never rise
above the standard which is set before
them But if the law of right, and justice,
and love, that law which holds in the private
life and is expressed in the Golden Rule,
is the standard, it is easy to see how it will
educate the people. For it is the applica-
ton of this law or standard to the public
life and acts, which reveals deficiencies,
which produces conviction of wrong doing,
which makes the conscience restless, and
stirs desires and purposes in the great
throbbing heart of the nation for that which
is better. The more clearly, therefore, the
public life can be brought into the light of
this law or standard, the more rapidly will
be its progress in purity.
The press too has an important mission
here. We need fair, timely discussion Of
political and business principles in the
broad light of the present morality. AS a
teacher, forming the opinions, and shaping
the conduct of men it has large response
bilities. 1t does not supercede the pulpit
but is a grand helper in its work. The
daily and weekly issues, with their clear
type, attractive illustrations, and able
articles reaching the homes of millions,
form mighty educating power. The men
who officially represent and shape the
nations life and history feel it. The
Christian conscience of the people re-
spends to it,
Then there is vast educating power in
the faith and conduct of those who official
Nv rom "a ffop
uncertain tone as to the moral influence of
rulers or the ruling classes. Their very
station clothes them with power for both
good and evil. Their lives are moulding
influences. Whatever of personal respect
or admiration they enjoy increases this
power. There are few who do not feel it.
They catch insensibly the tone and char
tiers of those who occupy places of power.
1t is of the utmost moment therefore to the
moral purity and progress of the nation,
and not merely to its pecuniary or political
welfare, that good men should fill those
places; men who shall so live and act that
the silent influence Of their example shall
be ever attracting the people upward; men
who are not only wise to know what is
right, but who are prompt and answering
in doing it.
The end to be gained is surely worth the
effort. There is a broad basis in the pres
ent moral state, and in the promised bless
ing of God, for intelligent effort, and when
every good man enters heartily into the
work it will be accomplished.
One of the great troubles with our modern
methods of living is that we are kent con-