Sentence:  J. Wheaton Smith , editor of the Warren Telegraph stated that `` the ends of justice must be satisfied , a solitary example must be set , in order that all those misnamed philantropists [ sic ] , who , actuated by a blind zeal , dare to instigate riot , treason , and murder , may heed it and shape their future <WSD>course</WSD> accordingly '' . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  a connected series of events or actions or developments