Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-04-21
THE DEvILs sOLUOoITy

Whilst we were-sitting snuglY and quietly
in our arm chair editorial, last evening, think
ing about the blessings of Van Buren's Adj
ministration, and how literally all the promises
which he made TO the people had been fulfilled,
and were now fulfilling, in making us a pros
porous people, enabling lis to get fine prices for
our cotton, and on giving Us a better currency
than we formerly had; and while we were
thinking what fools. the wings were, who in
the streets, through the public press, and in the
councils Of the nation predicted bad times, poor
prices for cotton, and bad currency from the
measures of the Adminstration-and while
we were thinking how grateful the people
were for being blessed with so wise a President
as Van Buren,, who had sense enough to pay
no regard to the foolish counsels ofthe wings,
we heard from the little fellow in our office
who is technically called the Printers DerH
the following strange and singular soloquy
At first we couldnot understand his mutterings
bu; as his words became more distinct to our
ears, we noted them down just as they fell
| from his lips; and for want of something better
present them to our readers; and Devil as he
is we think some of his notions pretty good:
"Why the devil am called printers de-
vii is devilish strange thing to me, have
none of the Intervals or externals OF his satanic
majesty-In feeling and disposition am nei-
! Their ferocious nor inveterate-In mind am
neither ambitious or infinitely person has
none of the usual appendages of devil, such
as claws, tail, forked-tongue and horns-My
occupation is that of peaceabe and useful
citizen, minding my own business and keeping
aloof from the business ofmy neighbors-I nei-
Their listen to SANDER nor retail it to others--I
interfere not with the peace of man and man
neither do 1 break up the harmony of social
life or disturb the tranquility of communities
yield to every man his due, and exact from
none, more than justice and equity accord to
mel look with an eye of charity upon the
conduct of my fellow men; and never attribute
to any one dishonest motives upon slight and
! uncertain grounds-Maniind l regard as :
large family equal in natural capacity, though
differing IL degrees-each member in pursuit.
of happiness, in the attainment of which, he
may be successfulor unsuccessful, in proportion
to the proper direction given to him in child
G hood, and the circumstances surrounding I'm
e Journey through life. No one is corrupt o
evil by nature--In infancy we are pure anC
holy, like Adam from the band of his Maker
In soul and body we are the workmanship of
Just Being, from whom nothing impure or un
holy could eminate. The nearer we can keel
1 to the innocent state ofour childhood, the NOR
likely shall we be 20 attain happiness hereafter
where the intellect unfetered by wants, ant
unbounded by the limits of mortality, will EMO!
the presence Of the Eternal Architect Of tbi
Universe.
In my estimation of mankind, regard tn
internal, not the external man. measure NJ
mans honesty by his creed, his profession o
y his trade, have learned by experience tina
villany and treachery may be found in the pull
pit, at the bar, behindthe counter and in all tn
! various trades and occupations of life. Tn
5 occupation of the husbandman, Of all Others
has the fewest temptations to sin, and is mos
congenial for the growth Of virtue A ma
may preserve his integrity in any of the vari
: Gus occupations to which hemay devote hi
time, but in some he has greater temptation
to resist than in others. The Divine is indian
J. ger of becoming a profound hypocrii, from a
over-weening desire to appear sanctimoniou
at all times and in the presence Of all persons
! When such a man is at last by accident detec
: ted, and you get hold Of one end of his rascal
= ty, you may wind up to eternity before 20
i reach the other. The Lawyer is in danger
!. becoming captious, heartless and unfeelln
) wretch--from too great desire TO obtain tn
e business and patronage Of shylock creditors b
: exacting the pound Of flesh. Justice shoul
!. at all times be tempered with mercy, and to
Z rigid enforcement Of justice without regard
;, the condition Of society viii degenerate int
oppression-and let him who would suffer hin
4 self. knowingly, to be the agent of taking frol
an unfortunate mother and her helpless chi
dren the only COW from which they deriV
pourishment, (even to pay just claim) r
Z member that for time too there is day Of r.
coming, that he has heavy debt to canoe
and that be may be delivered over to the pf
!, son-have there to remain until the uttermo
Z farthing is paid. Let no man Cypress The poo
? You had better forgive your debtors, and the
YOU may with more honesty and sincerity pra
r 80. o.,-r dohfe V'h