Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1829-11-10

ger of scorn may, indeed, be pointed at them,
and the laugh go round against them among
the vile, but the character will come out,
like the sun at midday emerging from a
cloud, brighter and more beautiful from its
short concealment.
Man is not an insulated, individual being
in the world, but he is formed for friendship,
and connected with others by thousand in
innate ties and tender associations, and what
but stability gives the greatest charm to
friendship? 1t is this that forms true great
ness and holiness of character-not per-
haps that which consists in greatness of &C.
ton, such as we have seen in those who have
gone over the earth with fire and sword,
bidding kingdoms shake and monarchs trem-
ble-not perhaps the exact greatness of a
Cesar, Brutus, or a Cato, influenced by
the spirit of ancient philosophy-but it will
be greatness Of higher order-moral great
ness; that greatness which originates in the
best feelings of men, and which can be trac-
ed to the generous impulses of a more re-
fined philosophy. Such a man, if we might
venture an instance, was our Washington.
His was the true stability of character, con-
spicuous equally in the cabinet and in the
field. Had it been fuctuating and wavering
the cabinet would have run away with him.
1t was as free from charge, and from the
stain and pollution which often follow, as
his person was from the shot of the enemy.
We bow down to no aristocracy, and have
no titles of nobility or hereditary distinctions
that mems characters should be of weak,
fluctuating nature. Merit is the only test by
which they are tried by us, and to merit
alone are Offices of trust and responsibility
open. Some think too little of reputation,
and do not remember that like the rose of
Sharon, when once blasted, it is good for
nothing-that like the lily of the valley,
when in full bloom it is surprisingly beauti-
full. They forget that the publick eye is
ever upon them, watching and Enclosed
that when reputation is at stake, it is an
eye that never slumbers. We cannot have
man as he came pure from the hands of his
Creator, but as he is affected by circum-
stance, locality, and constitution: let not
vice wear the garb of virtue, but if it is de-
creed they shall dwell together on the earth,
let them be distinct, and separate, that we
may place confidence in them for good or
evil We want none that are continually
presenting different colours, like the chame-
leon, to the same individual--none whose
characters toss about like the waves of the
angry ocean but those that are as calm
for the timeAs the still, unruffied sea. Your
pedler, who travels the country through, if
he has fair, unsullied character, possesses a
nobler mind, and is far more enviable, than
he who has once deceived an unsuspecting
community.
How often do men cross over paths every
where who join in the general cry against
vice and rascality to-day, and tomorrow up
hold them and turn deaf ear to the voice
Of publck warning. Do such think to gain
popularity by curbing and opposing, as it
were, publick opinion ? Xerxes tried to
chain the waves of the Hellespont, but they
rolled as free as before. THIRD.