The Washington herald., 1910-04-17
MORAL BACKBONE
Requires Greater Strength of Char
Hcter Than Does Bravery.

"SH"res Nfeater strength or Ihnr'
acter Than Does Bravery.
From tbs Baltimore sun.
Moral courage deserves its monument,
no less than physical prowess. There is
no lack OF tributes TO the latter. but the
former is not so well cared for. Yet. OF
the two. moral courage is unquestiopably
the more worthy Of esteem. II requires
greater strength OF character and self
sacrifice than physical bravery. There is
many one less afraid OF swords and
bullets than Of adverse public opinlon or
the loss Of friends. Everybody adm.res
the fearless soldier. There is a certain
eclat about him and his deeds that goes
Tar 70 compensate the spirited and fame
loving man for his sacrifices and seems
20 make it worth mis- while TO risk even a
life. But everybody does not ALWAYS adj
mire and. still less. love the man ~
strong moral backbone. Those whom he
antagonizes-and they are necessarily
many-are likely 10 bear anything but
good will toward him. Not his the shin
ing halo that surrounds the head Of the
brave son Of Mars. And yet. TO express
fearlessIy ones honest convictions when
there is nothing TO gain. but everything
TO lose thereby; 20 stand up for them.
and fight for them. with friend and foe
alike; 10 become willingly for their sakes
the prey Of malignant tongues; 70 forego
popularity, and. IL need be, sacrifice his
very friends for what he holds 10 be
right and just, Is assuredIy something
more genuinely heroic than risking one
life on the glorious field Of battle To
espouse a popular and winning cause Is
no great feat. but 10 stand up boldly
for Justice and truth when power and
pelf are arrayed against them-that Is the
act OF q man.
In attempting 70 give due credit 10 the
morally courageous we don't. Of course
include the ever Consistent" man II by
consistency is meant ignorant self-opin-
.ionatedness. bull-headedness. or unrea.
soning obstinacy-and frequently that is
just what Is meant Only the fool never
changes his mind. The wise are ever
the first 10 recognize and rectifv a mis-
take when II is pointed out 20 them. And
they lose nothing thereby, The very best
Of men. and the most honest. have
changed sides and beliefs. and the sensl-
bic people Of the world though none the
less Of them for It. II is the weak. timid
changing expression Of an unchanged be-
lief, the cowardly veeriug or backsliding
due 10 fear or influence, that merits cen
sure. There may not be much IN the wav
OF glare or glitter about the man who
braves the anger Of his associates in de-
Tense Of his neighDor's good name. Yet
many a one whom no bodily peril can
stop OF stay Will balk at speaking out MS
mind when his fellOW-man-s reputation is
being torn 10 tatters by the foul. en-
venomed shafts OF eaIumny.
In what we have said there IS no wish
10 disparage martial ardOr or prowess
Nor IS there any danger that we could
do so even II We would II IS not That
We admire physical courage less. but taa.
We love moral courage sul more. II we
We're as lavish IN our recognition Of
moral backbone as We are in raising shafts
10 the memories Of famous soldiers. and
conspicuous examples of material beae.
factions. il would perhaps 20 far toward
implanting and fostering in the rising
generation a better than Spartan spirit
a love and appreciation of the QUALITY
most deserving Of their admiration and
imitation. a quality emineutIy conducive
70 the very best type % good CITIZENSHIP
II this truth were duly emphasized and
impressed upon the youthful mind su The
class room. q would do more both for the
state and the Individual than all the
ologies-with due respect TO them-that
were ever dreamed OF. Even were this
the only result OF childho0d-s training. 81
would be something well worth while
and z the lesson were taken 70 heart and
put IN practice 10 would do away with
the painful necessity Of keeping eve~last-
Ing tab on the chosen guardians OF The
public interests. and literally forcing
them. by fear Of material or poHtiea.
losses, to do their boundea and sworn
duty.