The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1834-11-15
MISCELLANY.
Selected for The Star.
SLANDER.-No |.

oHb tutc OCuWE. Is uU Otll
greatly to be deplored-and greatly to be
amened that 80 many are tainrsd with it.
1t is a moral disease and only tlourishes
in an impure atmosphere of an unpublished |
and ignorant mind. 1t is all infectious
Jane that throws its pestiterous influence
into every heart wherever there may be
found vacancy to usher IN its hycra1
head to cover its deiormity. 1t is an en-
cmy that turks, molests, and attacks on
every side, and like ga roaring hon goes
about seeking whom he may devour"
Taking our example from scripture and
following its testimony, we shall be nduc-
ed, in the following remarks, "to use great
painness Of speech" We only Apply our
observations to those who find the gal-
ment to suit the best-whoever it does
suit we are perfectly willing they should
wear it-only advise such TO put It oil,
and substitute for it, new made garment
of "P,udea.ce n' We have no idea of
natterins-but calculate to depict the evil
in its true colours, and properly expose
its noxious tendency. 1t is high time for
people to bo put on their guard-it Is high
time for "the wa,chmen" to give the II
llarm-it is high time to awake and put at
defiance the lutrudcrs and disturbers OF
=. our pcace-yea, it is high timo 'lo cry
and spare hot, "of giving proper and
reasonable warning to the dreadful and
| devastating epidemic of that direiul and
licentlous practice of intective, called
slaader, or it may be some times termed
scandal Solomon had very correct
idea Of this nuisance, when he said, "he
THAT hldeth hatred with lying lips, and he
Ithat ulterrth a Slander, is fool"
In considering the certain effects o.
Islander, we find it is too true what late
, sensible and observing writer has SAID
and whose words we now quote to she"
1t TO our readers that we are not atone II
e forming our opinion on this subject as t.
e It's nature or the real effects 1t may have
a, in consequence OF its final predom'nonce
(, This writer says, in commenting ON hi
ID text, in |. Timothy v. l3, "Ihat tn
IS passage which is placed at the head q
oi this article tells US Of those who are tdlers
uandercrs, iailers, speaking things The
t ought not. The light OF almost every da
:, turnlshc illustrations. of this divine dec
OF laration. They are to be found not onl
4 among the poorer and inieriour grades {
" society but they can be numbered wher
!; aflluencc, where ihtelIi genco, where hon
I'd our resides. These habits ofidleness an
OF of defamation are having too much influ
o, ence in society. They are engenderin
$, evils which tend to undermine the lelcIt
S, of individuals, and the peace and goo
order Of communities. 1t Is tune 'lol
I'd when so much is doing to extermlna'
e. vice, as it is tostered by the ntemperat'
OF the prolane, and the Sabbath breake
at that something should be done to destro
H. contayon which these practices are enii
linz into our moral atmosphere"
Further, this writer says "Busine!
may plead for frequent intercourse vii
our neighbours, and then we speak thing
which zoe ought But when this lnte
w course is supported neither by buslne
lis nor by friendship, then we are entille
to make the inference that things al
S. spoken ",chich ought not to be.'-1ht
,st We are upheld in supposing that the then
,r, of conversation is not what interests II
le, roia,u of religion : not what charms til
he loren. Of science not what gives the poli
or ical asprant new zest Tor clamberlng IN
rugged ascent to honour. No. Sue
for themes as these interest not these " dn
n Jod,es." Persons characters must
mt their subjects. The business of ne'ghbo
ire must be canvassed or examined. lhe
nj plans must be scrutinized, and if in the
ingenuity they are not erceedcd, must
misrepreserted and perverted. The CO.
- versalion which these busy bodIe;
hear in one family must be made to saw
nv of personal reprehension when related
NJ the next, aud thus be made the see
nv whose fruits are perpetual hostillllties
~ harass the peace of those who alwa
" had taken sweet counsel together al
walked to the house ofGod IN company
. When these " busy bodies" are perso
who from their arts, their measures, al
,md ,md their ordinary demeanor,thc imagine, al
,ri. design to obtain an honorable rank III u
opt community, they must assail their chs
the acters with all tho aspority OF languni
)2o and virulence of inyective in their pow
to command. For the truth OF these
marks let the existing state OF things,
ont almost every town will exhibit, speak.
the Some places are much worse than othe
ou- Cannot the reader call to his mine
~. eye,n characters who are here correct
no. portrayed Can he not call before b
ma manu- who have uihal learnt 10 be id
an rendering about from house 10 house a
=, not only idle bm tailerS also, and busy DO
.n, les, speaking things which they ought mol
;. creating their tales of slander, aud ze
ously publishing them TO the world
sale Now, | seriously ask, what is the mott
I. or incentive to these /" busy bodies .