Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-08-25
PUBLISHED WEEKLY.
IA MES ATKINSON.
PUBLISHER AND PROPRIETOR.
COMM UNIcATION.
[For the Herald of the Times.
LOVE OF POPULAR APPLAUSE.

mircd by the populace, and whose prin-
cipal ambition is to command the undis-
tinguishing applauses of capricious and
lawless multitude, is in our opinion not
only the weakest and most unhappy OF
mortals, but what is still more to be la
mented, he must be, from want of princi-
pie and excess oilow ambition, totally un-
worthy of the only praise that deserves
our admiration, viz: the sincere and VOL
untary appreciation ofthe wise and good
To be studious in the requirement of
those accomplishments, and to be firm in
the support and practice Of those princi-
pies which adorn our natures, and make
us useful members of society, as well as
secure to us the smiles and appreciation
ofhcavcn, is ut all times, an employment
worthy the highest ambition and deserv-
ing the most ardent pursuit. But when
we see men whose talents and opportuni-
ties ought to have inspired them with no.
bier views, and established in them Il bet
ter taste; when we see them | say, in
haling with avidity the polluted breezes
of vulgar appreciation, prostituting their
principles and efforts to unworthy purpo-
ses and "misaking the shouts of a mob
for the trumpet of fame," We then, not
only pity their weakness and dcspisc their
depravity, but we sincerely deplore that
want of virtue and dscernment, which
should have directed them to more laud-
able pursuits, and rendered them more
useful and worthy members of society,"
But however degraded the estimation in
which every virtuous and intelligent man
must hold the mere hunter of popularity,
vet how often do we see low minded men
obtruding themselves Oh society las cham
pions of the far popui, and catch pennies
of vulgar applause' They sieze on ev-
cry opportunity of Aattcring the ignorant,
and beguiling the thoughtless, until they
succeed in drawing about them crowd
of stupid admirers Athis done, they have
gained their object ,and instead o(improv-
ing their success, to enlighten or ad-
vance the interests and better the condi-
ton oftheir votaries, they generally take
every possible advantage of their credu-
lity, and apply it, so far as it will 60, to
promote what they have very erroneous
ly supposed to be their own honor and
glory.
We are aware that there are some men
of grovelling natures, who regard the
temporary eclat which they have acquir-
ed in this way as ofreal Importance, and
sufficient to confer on them honorable DIS
iinction; but by every intelligent and vir-
tuous citizen it is despsed, and instead of
adding in their estimation to the impor-
tancc ofthose towards whom it is directed, +,
il sinks them far beneath the standard of
the very crowd by whom they are so
blindly and enthusi astically venerated.
There is another circumstance almost
invariably attending this species Of pop
uarity IL allude to its instability. Those
who acquire it are men destitute Of those
principles that command respect, and as
most generally happens they arc both de-
ficient in solid requirements to sustain
their pretcnsions, and wanting in that spe-
cies of cunning and intrigue which is
necessary to keep up that delusion on
which their whole influence depends.
The consequence is that, the deluson is
soon dissipatod and ere long their follow
ers are awakened, to be mortified by the
image Of their own incredulity, and to
see in their proper aspect the arts and
designs of the object Of their iniatuation.
Now the spell is forever broken; now the
lovers of vulgar praise are hurled with
impetuosity from their fancied pre-emi-
nence, and their enraged and disappoint-
ed yotaries are sure to be as violent in
merited rcprobation, as they have pre-
viously been in unmerited applause
Thus fares it with the hunters Of mush-
room popularity and lovers ofvulgar ap-
plause; they like those pretenders to pie
ty who make broad their phylacteries,
repeat long prayers, and do aims in pub
lie places to be seen of men, are doomed