Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 213, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 September 1915 — HIGH PRINCIPLES [ARTICLE]

HIGH PRINCIPLES

What about your principles? Are they good, or Indifferent? We often hear it said of a woman that “she has such good principles” —'‘she Is ro spected for her principles;” but that is only when she has the courage to live up to them. Every one of us has certain good principles; none of us wants to lie, or steal, or slander a neighbor; but how many of us possess the determination to put into practice those higher thoughts, those lofty Ideals? It’s all very well to have theory; but real goodness is not a theory, but practice, and very difficult practice at that Those Inclinations to do good that we feel when w§ listen to a stirring sermon or beautiful music or gaze upon a magnificent view must be put into practice during our everyday life if we would live up to our principles. “The man at the wheel” must never relax his vigilant attention for a moment; neither may the woman grow dilatory in her practice of good deeds if she would gain the reputation of having high principles. And it is not an easy task. In our daily duties, even though they be monotonous and uninteresting, there are plenty of opportunities to put into practice our high ideals. If we frankly say we hate laziness, then let us be energetic in all things. The business woman must be on time at the office or store every morning. She must be quick and courteous in attendance upon customers. She must pay strict attention to her employer’s needs and carry out his directions with promptness.

If her sphere is in the home, meals must be served on time and the work for every day be carefully executed in a systematic way. Women with high principles never repeat scandal, nor do they gossip about their neighbors and friends. When good can be said of any one, it is always told. The unpleasant things are discreetly left unspoken. With her children, the woman possessing high principles will always be patient, loving and considerate. The many, many questions that the average child puts to its mother every day that useless, amusing “Why mother?” will be answered carefully, giving the plastic mind of the child a right impression of things, the true reason “why.” There are some persons who believe to be really good one must live apart from the contamination of the world—a secluded life, pure and chaste; but every one of us can be thoroughly “good” if we will persistently live up to our high principles. Try ft see. We must not waver, even about trifles. Don’t say, don’t think, "It isn’t worth while.” Everything is worth while. Cultivate the habit of making prompt decisions in little things, and when you come to the crossroad of life you will be able to decide quickly which is the right path to take.

The woman who has strength of character enough to choose wisely in little things will, as a rule, make a quick, decided and wise choice in the great Issues of life. This comes from living up to her good principles. “Thoroughly unprincipled." What a terrible thing to have said of you! Yet It is often spoken of young girls and older women. It is true, too. The world holds many such. Women who from childhood have neglected duties, lied out of things to escape possible blame, been quick to criticise, to slander, repeat unpleasant gossip, are many. There are hundreds of girls who grow to be women whom no one can trust; who, on the surface, appear to be delightful person «• t when their true character Is known, are shunned by self-respecting reoHe —girls who marry and lead their husbands a dog’s life because of their lack of principle. Such women will run up bills for dress and useless finery that they know their husbands will be unable to pay, and when confronted With their folly will He or create a scene of weeping and hysterics that will frighten the poor man into submission and aH sorts of fooHsh promises. These are the women who will stoop to under-, hand schemes, who will deceive their employers or who wil leave no atone unturned to ruin the reputation of a rival either In business or love. They are a blot on the fair name of womanhood. They bring the blush of shame to good members of their own sex. They are the chief reason for the retardation of woman’s rightful position In the scheme of things. No man will trust them; no w'*~'’n can trust them. They could never hold a responsible position either In the home, In business or In poUtlcs. Think with compassion on the child who Is destined to be trained by an unprincipled woman. Oh, the pity of it! The child is father to the man —al ways. Can he be blamed for crime when every day of hi# babyhood, boyhood and youth has been spent with an unprincipled mother? Therefore, I appeal to every girl and woman who reads to look well to her principles. Alm high and have the courage to live up to your lofty ideals.