The Wilmingtonian., 1823-10-16

ssnse, arnroaches to benevolcnce itself. Tba
9 ate of society would certainly be desirable
where the voice Of truth only was to be hcara
where people from principles OF moral rect'tud'
in general view, and of genuine philanthrophy, ~
particular, despising the wages OF hauery' a',a
foregoing every advantage OF slmu'a,ion, wou'.'
venture upon the ocean OF HE under 'he g.ii'
dance Of unbiased integrity and unda'ihteu SIN
certy. But as this is degree OF perfection 70
~ hch we cannot hope to attain IN tiie hihe,ech''
century, we must be content to avail ourselves OF
tina, form of seeing,' which, while il does not
pretend to the character of absolute sincerity, is
mo more to be contounded with genuine hypo
|crisv than paper currency with specie. Nor can
this slipht degree of dissmuatinn Cfor which IN
French have very expressive term facon ae par
|kcr,) ever become mschievous, until it loses It's
Ioriginal character by degeneratlng INTO hat'cry
land servility. 1t is, however, so obnoxlous, to
these vehement professors OF sincerity, that they
refuse to adopt it any occasion, although lheif
neglect TO do so may often wound the feelings of
Ia fellow creature.
! 1t it these PnIyILEGED CnAnAcrEns VINO de-
Istroy the Grand charm of social intercourse, the
lunreseryed interchange, and communication OF
Ideas, by introducing such topics as reflect on the
private affairs, inferiorty or obscurlty OF some
,person present. Your person, your circumstan'
Ices, your abilities, are subject at all times, ana
lin all companies, to the anlmadversion, the sar
Icasln, and the wtiicisms OF this privileged or
der Opinion you are not permitted to retain, foi
affecting to think it seryile to coincide with tht
opinion of another, they make II u point 20 con-
tradict, in the most positive manner whatever Is
advanced, and if their own position proves nn,e
Inable, they speedily adopt safe mode OF retreat
by turning you and your argument INTO rdicnle
lAlthough il has been well observed, that the un'
c,1fat is at
and less improving as the brow beating defiance
of perpetual contradiction; vet as this assumed
priv lege deprives you of the opportunity OF de
tending Yourself, you arc constrained to undergo
all the fatigue, without the most distant prospec
of remuneration. The may raise a blush on the
check OF modest merit, by the rufiian bluntnes!
OF their structures; they may wiring the heart o
an anxious mother, by telling her in the ardor o
their sincerity, that her slckly darling looks worse
than ever; or they may damp the exertlons ant
chill the energies of the youthful enthusiast, by
revolting, although perhaps faithful picture o
the ialacy of his hopes or OF his utter lncapa
CITY to realize them. These and thousand othe
offences against the common rules of humanit
and good breeding, they may daily commit witt
Iimpunity, by sheltering themselves from retor
and correction, under this assumed pauopoly q
iPRIvfLEGE. Whence this privilege is derived,
would be difficult 10 ascertain; and why it is to-
Grated is perfectly unaccountable yet there
scarcely a neighbourhood, or u community, i
town or country, that is not infested by one .
more ofthese nuIsances There are few lndivdu
ais, who, in the circle of their acquaintance, car
4 mot rcadp point Out two or three Of these hedge
HOGS of the social commonwealth, who shlel
themselves in a coat OF mail formed of their ow
loffrnsvcness.
/ Persons of this description are often abrupt an
staggering in their style of address. and ende;
YOUR. where the force of their argument woul
not be likely to avail them, to stun their advel
sary with the loudness of their enunciation, o
ntimidate him by the martial tierceness of thei
gestures /; and all their obstructive insoenc
must be borne with stoical patience and forbeai
flance--beciuse they are privileged character
and your friends will tell you that their brutal,
4, lis only eccentricity, and their impurturbable in
: 'Ipudence nothing in the world but peculiarly {
manner, inveterate singularity of habit, and tl
like. If even the claim of these Hottentots
1.-The quality about which they are so eternall
preaching, be fully and fairly investigated,
= Twill be found altogether fallacious. Their ca
ldour commonly arises from coarscness of fee
ling, or want of humanity, rather than an abstra
Iof love Of truth, and hatred of Discrimination. l.
lit be asked of these doughty champions of e
lreme sincerity, ifn every occurrence OF lite th'
act an equally sincere part; if THEY are new
tempted TO dissemble when some selfish end
to be accomplished, or some passion to be era,
fed and if, as is too often ihe case, they are Il
e semblance of sincerity as a cloak for their ov
s. maliguity, they are themselves convicted OF a
rant hypocrisy, and for the peace and happine
nc If society, should be stripped OF that fancled pr
H. rogative, from what they arrogate themselves Il
y right OF wounding the feelings of others with il
y punity. So much for rnIvILKGEn cHAnAerEAs.
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