The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-01-31


in Utica--or weep with hlarius on the ru-
ms of Carthage.-Tracing their actions
back to their source, we find them spring
ing from the pure and anceutamlnated
fountains of virtue, aud rejecting, from
their chrysial bosom, tue native features OF
magnanilnity. Our sympathy is aroused
fancy is charmed, aud admiration clothes
their sOrrows aud their virtues in the saint
ed garb of divinity. And when, IN mod I'm
times, we see thu patriot soldier, eoDtendlng
with overwhelming power, rush OH the
bayonet aud die for his country--when,
too, we see the martyr Of the cross, chain
ed TO the stake-smiling c0ntemptnously
atihe tauHts and torturesO Of his torment0rs,
and exulting in the flame that rises to CON
sumo him--we are impressed with an ho-
meet pride in the dignity vi our nature, and
rejoice IN the conviction that man stll
bears the image of his creator. But when
we are compelled 10 turn from the con.
temptation of all that is great aud splendid
ia character, and view our fellow being IN
degradation and infamy--ihe descent IS
painful and -precipitous. There, we behold
him at the summit of earthly excellence,
exhibiting 10 mankind, n spectacle Tor adj
mratiOn, aud n model for ylrtue--heTe, We
find him the poor, groyelling creature of the
du5t-formed but To drag out " slow
and snake-like length of existence, aud
spread around him, pollution and misery.
To realize this contrast, were to descend
from the highest cliff whencc may be seen
the wild sporting tempest--the ocean lash
ed into fury aud raging in subllmity--to the
bank of some muddy, llleless little stream,
which covers III liz waters the ingredients
Of pestlcnce and when they are natured
into corruption, eXhalcs contagiOn through
the surrounding atmosphere. These re-
hcctions On the diversity of human charac-
tor, have been elected, by communlca-
ton from Lynchburg, dated srd January,
and inserted in the " Hornet"-a Rich
mond paper, which has risen like the Phe
nix from the ashes, to which the friends Of
deccncy had reduced it and is now, An
teus-l like, venting with tenlold vigilance its
accumulated volumes Of scurriAity aud
BllImgsgate. The citizens OF this distant
town might have thought TO escape the
hhrpy touch Of this libertine censor but
vice has established, in these degenerate
times, powerful and widespread assOcl-
alton, and when the mother voice is heard.
her hopeful offspring is ever ready, with
hllal reverence, to bray, responsive. Ac-
eordmdy, some imtm0euiat, practitioner of
virtue and Of steady habits, (of the PIatonic
sect, no doubt has aimed IA felon-blow at the
reputation OF one of our sinful sons of Adam,
whose laings (for failings we all have are
perhaps as yenial as those of his sell-con-
stltuted censnrcr. And where is this boas-
ted champion Of The cause of morality, who
stands forth to redress her violated laws !:
Why is the advocate of virtue namcles5 ?
Why stands he, meanly covering under a
fictitious disguise, that he may stab, like
the angel of Death, invisible and unknown?
Let him unmask, and show the world that
hiS practice, has ever been sternly moulded
to his pcs--that the mote of preIu-
dice and injustice has been piucked from
has eye and that "A life of austcre tempe
rance and nnremitted decorum, entities
HIM to cast the first stenc at an erring fell
bowman. verify believe, that could he
be traced to his kennel, you would find
him as true minlon of the fallen Arch
angel, AS ever wore the wrinklcd brow OF
hypocrisy and malice and falsehood. An
open and ingenious enemy, may still pre-
serve our esteem. We hate him, because
he is foe,-yet as he is noble, we respect
him. But thief of character, like the
midnight robber or ambushed assassin,
sheals upon the confidence of his unwa-
~ victim, and fastening with fend-ilke
avdity on the foiblcs of convivial
hour, bla1ons them to the public, as
the depraved offspring OF leprous
heart. 90 for whip in every o.
nest hand, to ltnli such rascals naked
through the world" We yicsy the blood
thirsty warrior as a curse or a pestiIenop
which marks its progress with death and
spreads around itruin and desolaton--yet
the secret Vaccinations of the disguised
slanderer, are far more destructive of indi-
vidual happiness. Conquerors may de-
mollsh the affairs OF lustice-tramplG on the
rights of man and battle their ruthless
sword. in the blood of nations yet the
green grass shall soon wave over the Grim
soned field of strife-the violated temple OF
liberty shall be rebuilt, and PROSTATE ma
ton again rise and flourish in the dignity OF
Independence. But the merciless defamer,
murders forever the peace of his victim,
aid despoils him Of what is more valuable
Than ll.--a fair and spotless name. This
is the blrthright, which nature gives, aud
when once lost can never be resained -
when once sullied, no chymic art, no ma
nc power, can restore its native, yestal
purity. Such is this unknown writer whu
has attempted, By tnsinuation, 10 tx on
private character, stain which might be-
indelblc-torneyer yet, did this censorious
world forget stigma, until he who bore 1t,
rested in oblivion. And what, in the name
OF curiosity, provoked the invcctivc of this
modern rcformer Was it revenge for
some injury? Noble, generous foe thus
to aim dagger, when the heart that poi
soned it, and the hand that Yields it, are
alike lnvislble-We must look for thy pa,
rallel. IN the ELrncilN Of The Nnlf or the W..