The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-09-12

which are professedly intended to pre-,
serve the mutual endearments of good
neighbourhood, and are boosted to be
among the proofs Of the refinement of
our manners. What are they, in truth,
but perpetual offences against this be-
nevolent law of our Saviour, and a.
gainst the genuine spirit of humanity ?
On this humble theatre do we not daily
see character traduced, acquaintance
deprecated, friends sacrificed? Under
the face of hilarity and good humour,
does not the same mcharitable, cold,
and treacherous spirit Turk in every
bosom And he who smiles at your
story in this company, is ready to smile
at you in the next. With the highest
appearances of union and social enjoy
ment, each is secretly divided against
all.
Here, likewise, may ] be permitted
to observe, that that portion of our
species chiefly formed to soften and
harmonic human society, whose glory
ii is to mitigate and correct the ruder
passions and manners of men, and to
educe into act all the finer feelings of
the soul, are too often seen to lay aside
the gentle characteristics of their ma
ture. 1t would seem, indeed, as if the
peculiar sensibility of their hearts, by
making rivalships more ardent, and
multiplying the points of competition,
often added keenness to their satire,
bitterness to their invectiye, and poig-
nancy to their ridicule.
On other occasions, this odious vice
appears to have little in view besides
interesting an idle curiosity. To be
the first to attract attention by some
new tale of wonder, or of scandal, has,
to large portion of mankind, a sur
pricing charm. To the dishonOur of
human nature, obloquy almost always
finds an indulgent reception in society |;
and little mind is pleased with the
temporary importance which the malig-
nant curiosity of the world bestows up
on it. BY persons of this low vanity,
blemishes in the conduct of all their ac-
quaintances are eagerly sought after,
for the unworthy pleasure of displaying
them; the private infelicities of famil-
les are diligently raked out in order to
be exposed. Such spirits and such there
are in almost every vicinity, may be re-
garded as the evil genii of human eocie-
ty- They multiply the causes of mutu-
al alienation among brethren; they
scatter contagion around them; and,
provided they have tale to amuse or
the power to excite wanton smile,
feel little compunctiOn at the cruel
wounds which they infiet.
Speak not evil one of another, brethren.
Few sins are more highly chastised
by the censciences of men, than evil
speaking yet few are followed by a
more pernicious influence on the har-
mony of society; few tend more effec-
tually to extinguish that spirit of mutual
benevolence and charity, which is the
true Principle of the happiness, It's wen
as the great duties of human nature
The wounds which are given and re-
ceived by thoughtless and enyenomed
tongues, form large portion of the
infelicities of human life. In vain will
you excuse its lightest indiscretions as
being the effects Of levity and incensid-
Grafton; or as harmless endeaVour to
raise an innocent amusement out of the
venial failings of your acquaintance
Could you, in the same manner, sport
with the character of parent, broth
er, sister, friend But the law of
charity is, Thou shalt Io0e thy neighbour
as hyseEE
1t boots you not that you possess the
most mild and inofensive temper, or
that your life is adorned by the most
conspicuous virtues, The iniquity of
SANDER will take advantage of the un-
resisting meekness of the one, or is pro-
voked by the pre-eminent merits of the
other In vain you attempt TO retrieve
the purity of your name, by proving
the falsehoed Of its imputations. You
may prove them false; still your repu-
tation shall be furnished, and your limo
cence have received an indelible stain.
Do you expect reparation from the re-
pentance of the slanderer? The in
jury he has done you has made him your
enemy. But though he should repent,
the evil is no longer in his power
The SANDER is gone freM him: it is IN
possession of others and each new
reporter circulates it from a different
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