Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-10-10

calumniator like tho midnight assassin, smiles
amidst the runs he has made, because il is be-
yond the power oflegal investigation, to brand
him as the murderer
BY help OF these fends in human snape, too
often the brightest prospects of aspiring gen.
ius have been totally eclipsed, and the fair ex-
panding blossoms of virtue, made to wither in
the dark shades of calumny-too often have
the innocent been held up to view as a mask
to be pointed at. by the slo,o and moping fin
ger Of scorn, end too often the most blame
less of society, have met with the contempt of
ffowning world, in consequence ofthe blight
ing effects of SANDER, and a total rejection of
the golden proverb, "the least said the SOON
est mended."
Among all the evils to which the race Of
man is liable, no one is more perplexing than
that o! dctra cion, originating fiom source
which cannot be traced to a degree of cer-
tainty-misiortune may come and troubles as.
sail from any other source, yet they are sub
united to with fortitude, compared with an un-
provoked attack upon a PERSONS charac cicr
and reputation from source unknown.-To
have deserved well of mankind, and then TO
meet their frowns, in perhaps n greater dis
grace 1anthe open profiigatc, is truly discour-
aging, and nothing but the calm Of conscious
rectitudc, within the persons own breust, can
tion, aimed at his moral existence.
Reader-pause and reflect upon the i'm
mcnsc train Of evils which occur in the world
for want of bridng the tongue, and keeping
constantly IN view, that short and pithy saying,
" the least said the soonest mended.'
On rejecting upon the origin of this evil, we
arc at Il loss to find il so common. Whether
it is constitutional with most people, or produc-
ed by an improper education; but from what
ever source il may arse, ii deserves a punish
ishment almost equal TO that Of the greatest
of crimes, and if heaven has in store, light
nlngs red with uncommon wrath, they will be
reserved against the day ofre.ribuiion, to blast
the man who has, by wilful detraction, de-
stroycd the reputation of a person, more spot
less than himself; but without the aid Of the
powers above, we think rctributive justice
should be made TO follow the crime as soon as
possible, IN all cases which can be made mani
fest, leaving TO divine justice all those hidden
culprts, whose veil is too thick for mortal pen
etration, but too llimsy to hide their faults from
an all-sccng eve.
Perhaps 1t might be well if our legislators
should enact law, that every person found
guilty of detra ction, should lose each time for
the first and second offence, one half inch OF
the length Of his tongue, and for; the third
offence, the remaining portion-though by this
summary way of proceeding, many persons in
a short time, would be deprived of the whole
organ, yet it would have salutary effect in
restraining the license of the remaining long
tongucd folks, but to prevent this sangunary
punishment. we advise them to learn TO put in
practice "the least said the soonest mended.'
And now Mr.. Editor, if you can prevail upon
all people 10 think twice before they speak
once, you will vcly much correct their clocu-
| ton, and prevent many unadvisablc specche:
which often rccon upon the speakers and VIC,
them almost enough to bite off their owl
! tongues, but if you cannot persuade them {,
think, yet urge them 10 learn the provcrb o
the old man, "the least said the sooncs
mcnded.'' OBSERVER
! There is contained in the foregoing remark.
! of the Observer, much of sound sense ant
profitable reflection, and all who read it, should
learn from il, the value of silence If that un
rIly member, the tongue, were properly man
! aged, and we would all remember ,ha, " tho
| least said is the soonest mcndcd," and woult
govern ourselves accordingly, how much NOR.
tiiication, pain, and unnc cessary trouble VIC
, should avoid? and how many thousands would
be spared from sorrow, who date the history
of their suIcrings, from some Inflated day,
when they gave way to the lopun cious propcn-
| sites of the tongue, and uttered that, which
should have been for ever bun led in scncc'
|