Is there no way, then, to justify these thefts and extortions and make them clean and fair and honorable? Yes, there is. It can be done; it has been done; it continues to be done--by revising the Ten Commandments and bringing them down to date: for use in pagan lands. For example:
Thou shalt not steal--except when it is the custom of the country.
This way out is recognized and approved by all the best authorities, including the Board. I will cite witnesses.
The newspaper cutting, above: “Dr. Ament declares that all the collections which he made were approved by the Chinese officials.” The editor is satisfied.
Dr. Ament’s cable to Dr. Smith: “All collections received approval Chinese officials.” Dr. Ament is satisfied.
Letters from eight clergymen--all to the same effect: Dr. Ament merely did as the Chinese do. So they are satisfied.
Mr. Ward, of the “Independent.”
The Rev. Dr. Washington Gladden.
I have mislaid the letters of these gentlemen and cannot quote their words, but they are of the satisfied.
The Rev. Dr. Smith, in his Open Letter, published in the Tribune: “The whole procedure [Dr. Ament’s] is in accordance with a custom among the Chinese, of holding a village responsible for wrongs suffered in that village, and especially making the head man of the village accountable for wrongs committed there.” Dr. Smith is satisfied. Which means that the Board is satisfied.