The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1819-09-08
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SIR-These words appear triAing in
themselvcs--wcigh them, and they arc
as light as feathers Unite them, and
they fill but q littlcspace. Yet are there
no words in our language, half as ex-
pressiye and important as these little mo-
nssyllatles.--On the right nsc of them,
depends the highest or most ireary por-
tons OF our lie. There is scarce scene
in the many coloused drama OF existence
IN which they do not exert almost mag
>ical power.
Scarce has the infant escaped from its
nurses arms, before it learns to distin-
guish between them. AT that early Pc
rod of our lives, when the management
OF our passions is in the hands OF all a.
round us,more especially Of our parents,
and when the habi 3 VIC acquire impart a
hue to all our subsequent character, a
yes or no may have the deepest impress
sion upon our lives. An indulgent par.
cit scarcely ever SAYS no (; severe one
scarcely ever says yes. a mother that
Can never say no to the importunate and
caprcious wants of her child, is in the
lair way OF running her offspring forever.
she has not the resolution to deny
him any thing he asks; and he becomes
forward, arrogant, passionate and head.
strong. The father, ON the other hand,
may nip the bands Of kindness, and be-
nevoience, by an unrelcnting employ
,nent oi no..
In what a variety OF situations is Our
happiness dependent upon the proper use
OF these monosylIabies.
Behold yon lovely girl, whose charms
win the attention OF hundred admirers.
Peace dwclls in her heart but a sly and
seducine adniytr beseeches her in soft
voice to walk with him by moonlight in
the grove. Beware cas-, maiden what
yoasay. On. the monosyllable that flut-
ieTs or your lips, depends all the happi-
mess OF your future life. --She has not
the courage to say no, and she is undone
forever.
a gay end ,houghtless youth is pres
sed ior once only to visit the gaming ta-
bic. lie has formed TO taste ior the dan
gerous amusement; but Unable to resist
the importuniies OF bis friend, he con-
,ents to accompany him. One false step
leads to another--~And from that moment
| date the ruin OF Arastasio. That fatal
night, when the courage OF virtue slept,
he was plunged into dissipations, and
courses which ruined his peace Of mind
forever.
This slippery facility of disposition
which disikes to give pain by the artic-
uialion of ne, is the weakest trait in the
character of man. 1t is the property
OF great mind, to think for itself, and
decide to do what il thinks right. A
common man rs blown about by every
breeze; in nothing firm, in nothing enc
getic, every thing turns him from his
path, every thing plunges him into en-
barrassmcnt, more or less serious, ac-
cording to the occasion which impels
him.
/" wiz you endorse my note, my
friend 2" (said the smooth Rinaldo 10
the easy PhiIippo) :" want your name
only for sixty days; and ! pledge you
my honor on shall never hear OF it tmore."
Philippe, who knows the smooth and hol-
low character of RinsIdo, As well as any
body, has not the 6rrnncss TO refuse him,
and by one moment of ircsoluticn, has
ruined himself and family
1t is unpleasant, nay it is sometimes
positively painful, to say no. Yes Is SO
soft and silyery sound, that it escapes
with the utmost facility from the lip.
You cannot say no, without giving mo-
mcn,'s pain. sympathy dislikes this.
You cannot sometimes utter Ii, wiiliout
bringing upon yourself very painful i'm.
putstioDs. They call you obstinate. OBJ
duratc, heard hearted, sIlsh--they de-
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