The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1915-02-25


Thus spake a conscientious man
of forceful truth, which in many
ways some people try to evade with
bending conscience, and in it's very
evasion lay bare their guilt. Why
evade that truth with bending cons
clence? Is it because true cons
cience rebels? A morally perfect
conscience is unbending; Truth en-
graves its holy seal upon the cons
cience that gazes steadfast into its
unblinking eyes. Only the vac
cilating conscience fears the soul
searching gaze of unbending truth
and evades. This same axiom holds
true in the sin of plagiarism, We
are of course. indebted to other
minds for many ideas which we can
clothe with new expressions of tbot;
in doing that, only. we enhance or
recreate; but in appropriating an
others literary creation en- toto,
without acknowledging its author,
is stealing; nothing less-nothing
more.
We however. grant that there are
occasions when the origin or source
of prose or poesie has been forgot
ten, it has not been the intent of the
re-publisher to plagiarize. This ex-
ception is pardonable; and entirely
so, if the re-publisher has at least
included the re-copy within quota
tons.
The malappropriation of any
piece Of prose or poetry and not
giving due credit to It's author or
source-with above exception is
simply theft; pure and unalloyel.
The original designing of a thot,
or reconstructing the idea of anoth-
er into words and sentences that
appeal to, or restimulate it's readers
are the result of mental labor and
constitute creational value, in the
same proportion that any other la
Dor produces value. And to un-
scrupulously use an others creation,
and by commission of credit lead the
readers to believe that the produc-
ton is original, is on par with one
who fraudulently acquires your
purse.
Giving credit to the source or au-
thor of any poem or prose is the de-
mand of just conscience, and in
vain; as we are told, do we bend
our conscience to fit our dealings if
we depart from Mr.. Howell's just
and gentle admonition.
Distrust and doubt have wrecked
many friendships. When either of
these creep into the course of
friendship it endangers the hand-in-
hand journey of friends along the
path of mutual understanding. Sad
indeed, is the prospect to friend
ships course when either one of a
friendly relationship permits doubt
or distrust t. reach out Shiny
talon to stain and hamper friend
ships onward progress. IT'S pity
that the above is often too true.
But this possibility is averted when
absolute loyalty links the hands of
friends.
Faith is the only weapon that
puts to naught the scowl OF Fate,
Many a reach for fame has en-
countered hornets nest of disap-
pointment.
Some folks are 50 modest, that
any reference to the naked truth
makes them blush.
Debt is lean nag easily mounted,
and once he gets his stride you are
assured long and jolting journey.
Some folks who proclaim that
they are self-made advertise the.fact
thai there is some shoddy manufac-
tured.
Bravery in disguise of bullying
husband usually proves a most re-
dlculous coward in the face of a
woman's righteous scorn.
Humanity's sympathy is touched
by the sight of hungry ragged lit
tie urchln looking wishfully into a
pastry shop, but Fate passes blind
ly by.
Do not always look for success
in high and conspicuous places