In point of fact, whatever presumption there is
(and this varies with the circumstances) is all the other way,
greater or less depending upon the particular attitude of mind
and experience of the individual.
This natural presumption of guilt from the mere fact of the
charge is rendered all the more likely by reason of the
uncharitable readiness with which we believe evil of our
fellows. How unctuously we repeat some hearsay bit of
scandal. "I suppose you have heard the report that Deacon
Smith has stolen the church funds?" we say to our friends
with a sententious sigh--the outward sign of an invisible
satisfaction. Deacon Smith after the money-bag? Ha! ha! Of
course, he's guilty! These deacons are always guilty! And in
a few minutes Deacon Smith is ruined forever, although the
fact of the matter may well have been that he was but counting
the money in the collection-plate. This willingness to
believe the worst of others is a matter of common knowledge
and of historical and literary record.
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