Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1819-08-24
From the Richmond Compiler.
YES and NO.

YES and NO.
SIR-These words appear trifling iu
themselves weigh them, and they are
as light as feathers unite them, and they
fill but little space. Yet are there no
words 10 our language half as expressive
and important as these little monosylla
bes. On the right use OF them depends
the highest OF most dreary portions OF our
life. There is scarce scene III the many
coIouyed drama of existence in which they
do nol exert almost magical power.
Scarce has the iufaDt escaped from its
nurses arms, before it learns to distinguish
them. AT that early period of our lives,
when the management OF our passions is
in the hands OF all around us, more espe-
cially Of our parents, and when the habits
we acquire impart hue to all our subse-
quent character, a yes OF no may have
the deepest impression upon our lives.
An indulgent parent scarcely ever says
no-a severe one scarcely ever says yes.
A mother that can never say no to the i'm
FORTUNATE and capricious wants of her
child, is in the fair way OF running her off
spring for ever. She has not the resolu-
lion TO deny him any thing he asks aud
he becomes forward, arrogant, passionate.
and head-strong. The father, on the
o'her hand, may nip the bands of kind
ness and benevoleuce by an unrelenting
employment Of no.
In what variety Of situations is our
happiness dependent upon the proper use
Of these monosy lIables.
Behold yon lovely girl, whose charms
win the attention of hundred admirers.
Peace dwels in her heart but sly and
seducing admirer beseeches her 10 soft
voice to walk with hin by NOON light i'll
the grove. Beware, easy maiden, what
you say! On the monosy liable that flu.
tiers Oh your lips depends all the happiness
of your future life. She has not the cour-
age to say no, and she is undone for ever.
A gay and thoughtless youth is pressed
for once ouly to visit the gaming table
He has formed no taste for the dangerous
amusement; but unable TO resist the i'm
portunities of his friend, he consents TO
accompany him. One false step leads to
another; and from that moment date the
ruin OF Arasiasio. That fatal night, wieti
the courage Of virtue slept. he was pluns
ed into designations and courses which ru-
ined his peace of mind for ever.
This slippery facility of disposition
which dislikes to give pain by the art'cu-,
lation of no, is the weakest trait in the
character Of man. II is the property OF
a great mind to think for itself, and decide
to do what it thinks right. A common
man is blown about by every breeze nj
nothing firm, in nothing energetic; every
thing plunges him into embarrassment,
more or less serious, according to the oc-
casion which impels him.
Will you endorse my note,my friend 2
said the smooth Rinaldo TO the easy Phil
ippo) g want your name only for sixty
days and ! pledge you my honor you
shall never hear of it more" Philippe,
who knows the smooth and hollow char
acter Of Rinaldo as well as any body, has
not the firmuess to refuse him. and by one
moment OF irresolution has ruined him
self and his family.
1t is unpleasant, nay, it is sometimes
positively painful to say no. Yes is So
SOL and silvery sound, that it escapes
with the utmost facility from the lip. You
cannot say no without giving moments
pain. Sympathy dislikes this. You
cannot sometimes utter it, without bring
ing upon yourself very painful imputations.
They call you obstinate, obdurale, hard
hearted, selfish. They describe yon as
one who leans upon every body for aid,
and yet who refuses TO aid any body.
Miserable to tell by refusing some great
favor, you lose a friend, and make an
enemy for ever. Yet, if honor and JUS
tice require it, say no. Have the firm
ness to do right. Be satisfied with your
own motives, weigh the matter well, and
when you have decided, be not SO weak
as to repent Of what you have done.
A General for example, at the head of
his troops, in most critical stage OF the
campaign, man who never flinched or
shrunk with cowardice in the face of the
enemy, is requested by bis particular
friend TO permit him TO attend gala night
in some Deighboring town. The COM
handing officer expects an attack every
moment; the presence Of his friend is es~
sentiaI to the defence Of the camp--ye,
has he the weakness TO say yes. The at
tack is made on that very night, his camp
taken, and his army defeated.
The President of the United States has
whole baskets of loaves aud fishes al his
command. His patronage is immense
nut there is not an Office which he has to
fill which does not require certain special
qualifications. The first thing which be
l..