Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1907-02-07
The Pulpit Should Express
Itself on Public
Morals.
Rev. DR.. 7. N. IVey, Editor OF The
Methodist Organ Rings Clear
In Behalf OF Fair Play
and Also Public
Courtesy.

The ARGUS cannot too strongly COM
mend the following editorial from this
weeks issue of the Methodist Chris
tain Advocate, published from Raleigh.
It's lesson is one that it behooves the
preachers to promulgate, and DR.. Ivey
has proved himself equal to the task
and, that he has the courage of his con-
victions. Here it is
sit used to be in North Carolina that
gentleman was considered gentle
man until he was proven otherwise.
Now it seems that gentleman must
take oath that he is one before he has
half a chance These words in sub
stance came few evenings ago from
the lips of one of North Carolina S most
trusted sons.
"What evoked the utterance, we do
not know. It may have been the spec
tacle, witnessed only few hours be-
fore, OF a high official, kindly court
eous Christian gentleman appearing
before committee and failing to i'm
press the committee with his truthful
ness as to a certain statement made
until he had taken the Holy Bible and
on it sworn that he was actually tell
ing the truth. Or, it may have been
the spectacle witnessed only a few min
utes before of a certain committeeman
expressing his opposition to granting
editors of newspapers the privilege of
m making advertising contracts with rail-
roads in exchange for transportation,
on the ground that editors might lie
and cheat in the way Of allowing their
trans sportation to be used by those not
entitled to the privilege.
"Each spectacle was certainly suffici-
/ ent to call forth the earnest words
quoted. 1t is that the tone of public
confidence has been lowered beneath
the point at which legitimate trust and
legitimate watchfulness maintain a
/ healthy balance. Watchfulness has de-
generated unto general suspicion,
which, green eyed and rabid, is raven
! ing among the men and women form
ing the body polite.
'''The fragrant shortcomings and
crimes of cooperative activity in the
/ last few decades, you say, "have
/ brought about this alarming decay in
! public confidence We admit these
shortcomings and crimes. Some life in
surance companies have proven un-
worthy of their charters. Banks have
/ r. ID Dc 1oy n n on
their privileges. Patriots have proven
only politicians, and of very sorry
variety. Honest upright underlings
have become degenerate millionaires.
But all this has happened in principle
since corporate humanity began to ex-
ercise its faculties, and the world is
as good at least today as it was a
thousand years ago. We pity the man
who honestly thinks otherwise.
1--WE have no more right to argue
from general to particular in public
and private living than in logic.
'Life insurance companies may go
wrong, but this does not argue against
the legitimacy of the business, and the
fact that life insurance man may not be
true and honest. Railroads may plundel
and oppress, but this does not mean
that every railroad is rotten and thai
all railroad officials are embodiments
of craftiness and extortion. Bank Off
GERS may defraud, but the fact does mo-
prove that the "salt Of the EARTH may
not be found behind the cashiers win
dow Officials, national, state ano
municipal, may prostitute their higl
position to low political and CONNER
cial purposes, but this does not NEAR
that every man in office is to be re
garded as corrupt. Because man who
has gained a great wealth has made 6
tvrant or fool of himself is no reason
why we should take up and send on the
anarchistic cry that every rich man is
/ living on dishonest gains. Because the
civic and commercial decalogue differs
in the case of some from the decalogut
4 of Sinai, is no reason why we should
/ conclude that the whole civic and com
merciaI world has lost sight of the lat
ter.
'sGive us a clear eye quick to detect tht
i wrong the listening ear ready to catcl
the false note in private word and pub