Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1833-05-22

Mr. Editor:-In looking over an old manu-
script of miscellaneous writing. | CHANGED
upon the following general reflections, which
lif you think fit you may insert in your paper.
r.. ~
| is as great nonsense to say any body was
born gentleman, as to say he was born phi
osopher, mathematician, or divine All
men are born upon an equality, incapable alike
OF assisting themselves, and whoever are born
in families of distinction can never arrive at the
little ofgentemen if they are idiots, or continue
In that thoughless state wherein they were born;
something, therefore, more than birth is neces-
sary to make the gentleman: This however,
nowadays, is thought to be effected by money
2. That black is not white, and that two and
two make four is as true out of the mouth of an
atheist, as out of the mouth of an apostle: A
penny given by an atheist to beggar, is better
aims than half penny given by a believer,
and the good sense of an atheist is preferable
to the mistakes of good christian. In short,
whatever reputed atheist do we'll, Or speak truly
is more to be initiated and credited, than what
the greatest believers do wickedIy, or say false
ly 1t is the greatest folly to think any mans
crimes are less for the name of him that cons
mlts them; or that truth is less or more truth,
for the i'll or good name of him that speaks it.
3, If lady is ever called an angel by "A man
in courtship, it IS good evidence that his pur-
pose is not such as he processes; and the best
way of refusing aim, is to take him at his word,
and remind hun on sacred authority, that ''an~
Igels neither marry nor are given in marriage
4. Falcons do not prey upon flies Greai minds
Ought also to soar above vulgar pursuits; and
mounted on the wings of philosophy, contem-
lplate ali those infinitely yariegated q glorious
systems, TO which common understandings must
be forever blind
D. was once IN promlscnous company
where the subject of conversation naturally
turned upon marriage says clergyman's wife,
who spoke her mind always very freely, "when
was married, my husband took me for nv
great fortune, and took him for his being a
very religious man; but we were not together
la fortnight, when we found ourselves both des
ceived: for had as little money as he had re-
ligion.n This is the case all the world over,
we have no just notions of any man unless we
are much in his company; men seem to be fond
of imposing upon one another, and appeal to
every man, if he has not always found himself
deceived and has had reason, some way or
corning character.
u. 1t is now become an established rule Of
honor, to repair one crime by another, and
worse; and when one has done you an injury,
he must by the rules of honor, fight to defend
lit. Having attronted or harmed you, contrary
to justice and honor, he makes you satisfaction
by taking away your life, according to The i'm
pulses OF true honor; so here is war of honor
against honor and justice and common sense.
7. 1t is the highest stupidity 10 talk of study
ing the passions in the common acceptation Of
that word; and to rail at them in gross is as
foolish. The greatest evils often proceed from
the best things abused, or i'll applied; and this
IS particularly true of the passions, which are
constituent parts of the man and good or ill. as
they are managed. And though the mortifying
Of the appetites be very plausible phrase and
IN restrained sense, a audabe thing, yet he
who recommends il to you often means nothing
but this, snake your passions tame that may
ride them"
=. Most men are very foolish in their pur-
suits. They act as if they were to live here
forever. Every one tries who shall be the
greatest, but never who shall be the best. They
still make their court TO the richest, but never
to the greatest. BY knavery and chicanery,
they are at more pains to be damned than 1t
would cost them to be saved. Many there ire
who search out the way to honor, fame and
grandeur; but few enquire after the path that
leads to the cardinal virtues, prudence, temper
ance, justice and forttude Men think it enough
if they lay aside playing with children's rattles
and bells, but they amuse themselves with bells
and rattles equally ridiculous, and think there
is nothing foolish In them, because practised by
most children five or six ieet high.
WEST POINT We learn that Maj. Lieut..
Colonel De Russey, Of the United States En-
lgineer Corps, one of the earliest and most dis
tlnguished elepes of the military school at
West Point, has been appointed Superintend-
eat of that institution in the place of Colonel
Thayer, resigned. Colonel Thayer, notwith>
standing his resignation, does not retire from
the service, but is to be employed at some other
station.-Epening Post.
From Paul Pry.
! JUDGE CoopER.-This man, who is one of
the rng-leaders of the Modification party in
South Carolina, is an Englishmen by birth, was
formerly resident of Pennsylvania, and was
engaged in the whiskey instruction of that
~