Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1908-02-05
rs HONESTY THE BEST POLICY

rs HONESTY THE BEST POLICY.
Honesty is best, of course; but
is it the best policy? We have been
consulted By two or three young
men lately, says an exchange. One
aspirea to Succeed" in politics: an
other in journalism: another in
medicine, etc, etc. They wish to
know how.
Suppose we had said to the young
| preacher: THE controlling desire.
after all, Of your people is to be
unused, made comfortable and easy
in their minds. They love to feel
yirtuous. Help them to feel virtu-
Gus without the pains and sacrifices
Of being virtuous. Your -Iasters'
creed was, i'm fact, somewhat stem;
gloss it over; soften it, mellow It,
explain it away.
Don't study your Masters creed,
| reat;v incline 20, and preach that
hard. Stir their emotions, please
their tastes. come out strong on
| the sins of other classes and chimes.
Invent your own illustrations, state
things as you would like them to be-
1t is not necessary to be truthful or
accurate, provided Your illustrations
ana statements of facts move the
right Feelings and lead to the con-
illusions your hearers like
Suppose we had said to the young
doctor: "The main thing is bluff
and nerve. Nine out of ten OF the
sick would get well if you never
went near them, but never admit
that. Let every ailment corrugate
your brow with care; draw long
face before your paymaster; be as
siduous, active, energetic; let every
one of the nine recoveries appear
to be the result of your skill and
attention. Be agreeable. Never
tell a woman she is lazy or man
that lie has eaten too much. Talk
about overwork, etc, etc.
Suppose we had said to the polit-
zeal asp rant: Make friends OF
many: enemies of the few. Go to
church: join the Y. NJ. G. A.; preach
heautiful sermons; talk loudly for
virtue. and SO win the innocent and
yirtuous many. Then do what is
necessary to win the vicious. Count
noses; count noses; count noses!
Preach enforcement of law with a
loud voice, but If there is very UNI
erous opposition, condemn the law.
Oppose men supposed to be bad, but
never bolt ticket. Lecture On
Temperance, but set 'em up to discreet
friends who understand politics.
Preach with the preachers, pray
with the prayers and damn with the
ccrdemnors. Talk reverently OF
Jesus Christ. but pursue your enc
mics with a big stick. Preach civil
service reform, but give the appoint
nlents to practical party workers.
Speak soft, but whale your enemies!
Keen in the limelight. Talk reform
all the time, but get your money
where you can" etc.
Or suppose we had said to the
journalist: Fear nothing and no.
bodv-least of all your conscience.
Let it be l0nown-quietly-t You
have no principles; that you are re-
strained by nothing but your own
will end interest. Let it be known
that you bite; that you strike and
strike hard, and strike IN the back
If need be.
Compel people to subscribe and
to advertise. Compel them. A
newspaper is publicity. Teach the
community the advantages-and
disadvantages-of publicity. Sell
your advertising, sell your news, sell
your editorial opinions. Sell every
inch. Sell your speech, and above
all sell your silence. 1t is we'll
enough to have men like You; but
it is necessary to have them fear
you. Cause them to fear you and
then sell to them. Sell, but sell
high.
Watch Your space. Mention no
non-subscribers except in connec-
ton with the police court. Give
praise to no man who does not ad-
vertise. Coax the advertisers, bully
Inc advertisers. Coax the poHti-
clans, bully the politicians. Coax
the corporations, bully the corpora
tions. Let all men know that it IS
wise to pay tribute.
play on the fears and vaniiies