Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-10-02
Value of Re}iufation.

Tie following eloquent ef'iison on the value Of
reputation is xtrsettd from the speech of Charles
Phillips, esq. at tie court Guse of Galway, ireland,
on list of April last, in OF libel on the Rev. c.
O'Mni'en, Catholic clergyman
What damages, the, can You give am con-
tent toleave the d.enCsuts crm,s al os,. Their out
of the que slim, hut how csn you recon,pence the
ifeInes Of my client WIS shall estimate the cost
ot pr iceiess rcputatioH-thst Impress which gives
this human dross lis currency, without which we
stand desP.scd, based, deprecated Who shall
repair il, injured Who can red EN- it, lost OH
we'll and truly does the great philosopher of poetry
estoe the worlds we,th as 's ash" IN the COM
parison-wont it gold has 70 vaus-birth no dis
tinciion-station no dignity-beauty no charm-sgc
no reverence. o., should not rather say, with
oHt 1t every treasure improve sh s, every grace de-
forms, ever Dig ity deerades and all ,b, arts and
decorations and acc, mpiishmenis of lie stand like
the beacon blazs upon rock, warning the world
thet ITS approach is dar eerthat contact is death
- he wretch without IT. is under an eternal quar-
antne-Ro friend II greet, no home to harbor him !;
the voyage of his life becomes 10, less p.ril and
IN the midst ct all ambition can achieve or ayarce
amass, or rapsciy p!under, he losses the surge,
bnoyant pestiience! But, i,t me not degrade
into the seishness cfirdivdual safety or Individual
exposure, this universal principle: it testifes a
high more ennobling origin it is this which,
Grating the humble circle ofihe EARTH will at
times extend Itself 10 the circumference of the ho-
rizon-which nerves the arm of the patrct 10 save
lis courtry-wlich lights the lamp OF the phiIoso-
pier to amend msn-which, If It does not inspire,
will yet invigorae the martyr to merit immortal
which, when one worlds agony is passed, ard
the glory Of another is dawning, will prompt the
prophet even in his chariot Of fire. and in tie yis on
on heavee, to b>queath to mankind the mantle Of his
memory . divine, o delightful legacy, orr spot
less reputation Rich is the il heritsnce il leav. s.
pons the example II testi.it Squire, precious g. i'm
perlslable the hope which il inspires. Can you
conceive more atroei us injury than to filsh from
its possessors this nesmabie beneit-to rob soci t.
Of its charm, and solitude OF its sOlace rot only to
outlaw life but to attaiDt death converting the We
ny grave the refuge uf the sufferer, To the gate
oi in.amy aud shame J / cannot conceive very
few crimes beyond it. lie Who punde,s my pro-
peItE, takes from me th-t hch can be repaiI' \
by time. But Whst period can repair a ruined re-
putaiio' lie who msims. my person, af. cts that
which medicine msy remedy. Bat what herb has
sovereignty over tie Wounds If SANDER He who
rdicuIes my poverty, or reproachos my prof. ssioi
npbraids me with that which industry may reir We,
ana integrity purify but what riches shall redeem
the ba krupt fame what mower shall bIanch the
sul!ied sow OF e. Hracter Can tn no be an in Jury
more deadly Can there be crime more cruel ?
IL is without remedy, it is without antnote il is
withou; evasion. The reptile calumny is ever on
the wateh--From the fascination ofs eye. no acti-
v.ty can escape from tue yerom Of its fang, ma
sanity recover it has no e. joyment but crime
it has prey but virtue. 1t has NJ interval from
The rcstirssness of ITS malice, gave, when boated
Nth its victims, it grovels 10 disgorge them at the
wthered shrine where envy idolzes its own mfr
mites Under such q visitation, how dreadful would
be the destioy OF the vrtuous and the good, If the
evidence ct our constitution had given Won the
power, rs trust you will have the principle, 10
bruise the head of the serpent, and crush and cum
bic the altar OF its i,olatry 20