The Washington herald., 1916-06-26
Votes and SeH-Respect.
BY ORIsON sWETT MARDEN.

was recently talking with poor man who
frankly, and without shame, confessed that he
had such hard time getting living that he
sold his vote at the last presidential election foi
hve dollars. For years, indeed, he said he had
always voted the way the boss wanted him to
and that his boss was the man who would send
for him, take him to the polls and pay him the
most for his vote
While he admitted that he didn't like to have
people generally know that he habitually sold
his votc-the pledge and sign manual of his
manhood-to the highest bidder, yet he didn't
see anything very wrong in the transaction.
How many men who are not bought on the
bargain vote counter in this crude way for
miserable five dollars yet sell their VOTE and
their manhood and character with it, to the po-
litical party whose policy will best forward their
self-interests.
How many SNUG, self-righteous politicians
and voters will do this at the coming elections
in November? And, like the poor slum "floater,
they have been doing it long their consciences
are, to certain extent, deadened. They don't
see anything wrong in it.
But, no matter how they may brazen it be-
fore the world, these SNUG gentlemen mere
whited sepulchrcs who long ago lost their mos
precious Professionalism sef-respect. In spite
of outward appearances all is not we'll within.
man who does not respect himself If the world
sees that l do not honor myself it has righ,
to reject as an imposter, because I claim
to be worthy of the good opinion of others when
l have not my own. Self-respect is based upor
the same principles respect for others. The
scales OF justice hang in every heart, and even
the murderer respects the judge who condemns
him; for the still small voice within says, THAT
is right"
What others think of you is not as mportan nj
as what you think of yourself for others may
be deceived by appearance or by cunning de.
ceitful language, but your estimate of yourself
is pretty accurate one. The great human
plan is built upon truth lines, honesty lines and
you cannot think we'll of yourself if you are not
square and clean and true
The moment you are conscious that you are
DONG mean thing, an unmanly thing, you be
gin to deterorate, for you cannot successfully
fight against the protest of your ideal; you can
not ignore the voice within you which condemns
your act. You must have the approval of your.
self complete, unquestioned or you cannot hold
up your head and look the world in the eve
Every mean. contemplate act, every dishonest
act, takes away confidence in yourself because
you condemn yourself for it, and in order to
do the best thing possible to you you mus
have your own unqualified approval
When you begin to tamper with your self
spect, to drop your standards, to allow your
principles to sag for the sake of some temporary
advantage, no matter what your present ma
terlal gain, you have taken the first step toward
ultimate failure. Just little compromise with
your conscience, just trifling departure from
the line Of honesty and truth, may go divergine
until manhod is lost.
1t is an admirable thing to cultivate in chill
dren a lofty respect for themselves. To max,
them understand that they are in very rea
sense made in the image of God, and that il
| STOPPING to any low, act they are not onl,
| solling themselves, but the God in them, will
prove saving grace, keep them from a multi
tude of temptations