The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-04-08
LYNcnBuRo, ApRlL 8, laea

ron rHT vrnoiSIty.
There is scarcely any feature IN the con-
duei ef mankind more Illuminating to hu.
mau pride, than The depra,ity Of con"ersa-
ton. Oae would suppose, q praoT., that
che intercourse of rational aud moral A.
gents, would he copsonam TO reason and
morality. An angel for instance, who,
without any presi knowledge of ouf
character, should be- introduced from iiea-
zen into our world. IS the abode OF intel
ieeiual aud imin0rial beings, would un-
ioubtedly expertro ind our conduct IA
conformity With oar high plS llcges and
destiny. How would he be appalled, 10
witness Even the nost hlamclcss intercourse
Of social hfe The drvalopement of vi
ei1us prurensiles by the tongue alone
would drive him back in horror. There
ere few of Us aware, how criminal our con-
sersation generally IS. Were IL more fire.
qocutly the subject of our neditalions when
alaue. we should detect {" world of evil, y
of whose existence we have no doubt most
Of us have been hitherto unconscious. We
should lind that our colloquial intercourse,
which should have made us better aud wi
SCI, has rather tended 10 deprcss the tone
of our morals and retard the calture of our
fniifds. At one time, we have met like
parti29ns, mutually sworn To war or every
elan except our own, 10 earlcriare their
virtues md cxaggerate their wees at an-
other, we have exhausted each others pa
ti.nre with self-euugy--and at another,
we have prosIituted the pure medium Of
thought, 10 the eoBtammatiag service of
ol;sctni,y. Men were constituted social
beings, Tor their reciprocal advancement in
intelligence and virtue bet these objects
are forgotten, or entirely overlooked, IN the
Indulgence OF childish le,ity, that never
scars 10 meutal cultivation, or IN the excr-
else of II maleyolent aud crlticising spiit.--
OF all the crimes OF conversation, personal
detraction is, perhaps, The most pernicious.
II appears, indeed Ike blasphemy, the of
sprlug Ola spirit perfectly demoniac TO
PROSTATE anolher's reputation with view
10 rise upon its ruins, OF 10 scrutnize and
hlazon fehles, merely to display discrlmi-
nation, is ambition worthy only Of fend
That he'll born principle, the pride of supe-
nor discrimination, has contributed, If pos
sible, more than even envy itself, To dfluse
the uirus OF abuse and scandal through the
veins aud arteries of the social system, TIL
tie heart has become illsensible, aud almost
deadcned by the operation of the poison.
How many generous tribute of applause
has been withheld, lesl il should implieate
the penetration or experience of the
speaker; nay, how Often, for this groyclltng
sentiment, has II been commuted for the
=" fliut praise" TINT dRmns, or the contemI-
iuous sneer Of affected superiority. There
Is bat one remedy for defamation and its
brood of desoIatng consequences this re-
medy Is that love tkat never faileth, -
that almest understanding good will
towards men," that wiH extenuale,n but
naught set down In malice" How woald
1t advance our happiness, were out tongues
governed by the " law Of kindness Let
the keen glrHce of those whose long obi
putty Of life has made than 50 profound in
human error penetrate the purest conduct,
aud discover motives the most vile, let me
egJoy the moderate virtues of my friends,
and charitably leave their faults 10 the re-
demption of Heaven
There are innumerable objects worthier
of the mental eye than the practice alluded
to. History, Biography, Belleslettres, n
whole heap of intellectual pleasures, lie
before us aud the mind tettcred To the
few tribes which transpire immediately a
round II, III comparison with the exclusive
genius that enjoys lis own intelligence, is
as wretchrd prisoner fastened 10 the
rlng-bolt OLA dungeon, to an enthusiast of
freedom expatiatng with delight amid rich
Fields OF verdure, and beneath the glorious
beht OF Heaven. 0RlGEN.
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