It Might Not Be True

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · May 19, 1910

It Might Not Be True

I SERVED my apprenticeship on the Springfield Republican. One of the first stories I wrote contained a serious reflection upon a well-known citizen. I had made a thorough investigation and was confident of my facts. So I informed the managing editor, Mr. Griffin, when called upon to answer questions springing from the proof-sheet. “There is not one chance in a hundred,” I declared, positively, “that the story is not correct in every particular and none whatever that it can be confuted.” “You are sure,” he said, “not one chance in a hundred.” “Well,” I replied, “just about that; certainly no more.” “Then,” he said, quietly — and the words were chiseled upon my memory — “then it may not be true.” I reluctantly assented. “I haven’t a doubt that it is,” he said, “and,” he added, with a grimace, “I hate to lose it. But it is a serious thing to take even a chance of blasting a personal reputation. Besides, you see, it is a rule of the office never to print anything that may not be true.”

The story went by the board. Subsequently it was fully substantiated. But I didn’t care. By that time I had acquired too strong a sense of pride in the paper I was working for to mind what had then seemed to be a sacrifice. I might add that forever thereafter, in common with certain little boys who are reputed to have profited from early lessons, I heeded the injunction thus conveyed. To make the assertion would be easy. But I hesitate. In fact, I can not. Alas! it might not be true.—From George Harvey’s Speech to the Sphinx Club, in Harper’s Weekly.