Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1908-02-18
SENTIMENT rs. PRINCIPLE.

SENTIMENT VS.. PRINCIPLE.
Who has not heard the asser-
ton, Every man should vots
his seutiments?o
1t is probable this is just what
hundreds of men do. In fact
appears that not jnfrequently tbs
mass of men are swayed more y
mere sentiment than by primer
pie. 1t is SO much easier to fol-
low the lead of ones feelings thar
to dig down deep and mine for
basic principles, that we are prone
to excuse ourselves from such la
Dor and to accept our feelings, our
sentiments as being just as safe a
guide to- action as any we'll de-
6ned set of principles might be.
It is but a short step further until
we come to accept our sentiments
as real principles.
But there is a vast difference
between sentiment and principle.
Sentiment is feeling based on
thought. Thought may be pro-
found or shallow, correct or erro-
neous, righteous or unrighteous
1t follows, then, that our feelings
or sentiments must take on tht
ever changing complexion of our
thoughts and cannot always nor
quently be accepted as sase
guides to action.
Principles are basic or funda-
mental truths. There can be no
false principle neither can there
be any conflict between princi-
pies. When we think truth con-
ficts with truth our logic is at
fault, we are not thinking accu-
rately. Principles being 'per
ipsius" true, ali who accept trath
must accept them. Yet while
men must unite In accepting prin-
ciples they may justly differ as to
the application o. them. This
explains, to some extent, the
seeming difference in principles
between political parties.
Sentiment, that is right senti-
ment, has its place in human at
fairs, and often acts a patriotic,
humane and truly righteous part,
but only when it stands on prin'
ciple, when it is inspired by pro-
found attachment to well-under-
stood principles.
In business and politics, how
ever, sentiment should find little
place. Enlightened selfshness is
a better leader in these than is
sentiment. The business man
! first thinks how he may, in JUS
tice to others. best promote his
. own interests, tine patriot how he
may best serve the interests of his
/ country.
, We have always been mistaken
E when mere sentiment determined
our political action. Sentiment,
. chiefly, gave the Negro, late a
bondsmap. the privilege of cleo
tive franchise sentiment bound
US to establish a protectorate ovel
Cuba !; sentiment shapes oul
course in the PHILIPPINES. These
are but few examples, but they
we'll illustrate how even the no.
blest sentiment is not safe guide.
At present idealistic sentimen,
!. gre atty abounds in all lines oi
human activity. 1t confronts Us
In our civic duties and seeks to
direct our political action. With
no little skill, with seeming jus
J tice and simulated patriotism
with falselogic and baseless hopes
It seeks to excite our feelings and
would persuade US that such SEN
timents are fundamental truths
or the plain deductions from basic
principles and should be permit
ted to direct our political action.
:: Ifsuch idealisrns are examined
they will be found to rest on no
accepted and approved principles.
Some of them are directly sub
versive and destructive of the best
tried and approved principles of
government. The wise, patriotic
citizen will turn away from them
in disgust and absolutely refuse
to give them the seal of his ap-