The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1843-06-30
The value of Character.

The vaIue of Character.
Young persons, on commencing life
and having little experience, are frequently
heard to ridicule public opinion. They
disregard what is said of them by the
world, defy the sentiments Of neighbors
and friends, and imagine that they are
pursuing very independent course. A
sad mistake, this. No one is independent
in civilized and moral community, who
willingly aud wilfully pursues the path of
error. We are liable to vicissitude, to
calamity and suspicion, and disguise it as
we may, when Islander is related of an
individual, we are apt to believe it or dis
believe it according to the character which
tho individual before enjoyed. Thus, if
he had been perverse vicious, irreligious
or immoral. ifhc had dejfcd public opinion,
violated the prophecies of life, and neglec-
zen, we should be very apt to credit, TO
some extent at least, any story that might
be related to his disadvantage. no matter
how serious the charges against him. If
violent, passionate and vindctivc, we
might believe it possible that he had com
mitted murder--and ground our belief
on comparatively slight crcumstaniial
evidenc. But if, on the other hand, we
had known him 10 be sGbdued, well regu-
lated in temper and lorgiving in DISPOSE
ton, we should discredit any serious
charge Of violence or bloodshed, except
upon testimony of the mos. unequivocal
kind.--The same rule is applicable to
every other description of crime. A
known falsifier, Il charged with bitter
and maliynan. slAMler, would be regarded
as guilty upon slight evidence; while an
individual whose whole life had been one
of benevolence and generosi.y-who had
rather soften and apologize for, than exag-
gerate the defects of character in another,
would be considered entirely innocent,
charged except upon the strongest testi-
mony, with having ca!umniated a neigh
Dor or friend. The importance Of
character, therefore, will be readily appre-
ciated by the intelligent observer. The
value OF good name cannot be over-esti-
mated in an enlightened, moral, and civil
lied society, Even vice is constantly
paying tribute to virtue. The vicious
never select from among their associates,
persons to whom they confide important
sts.---Knowing themselves, they sus-
pect and doub. others similarly situated.
Thus the beauty of virtue and the value
of character are more palpable.
We remember having once read an ac-
count of trial for murder. The evidence
against the accused was altogether circum-
stantial, but it was nevertheless strong.
The prospect was gloomy, and few
friends who still chung to the unfortunate
man, believed that his chance of acquital
was very feeble. At that moment a
though, struck the mind Of the attorney.
lie sent and discovered an old man, who
had been the teacher Of the accused during
several years of his youth. lie ques-
toned him as to his character, habits and
disposition in hoyhood, and found that the
answers were of the mos, gratifying kind.
lie had, rs a lad, been iayoritc with his
teacher, and dcservedly. He was gentle
OF disposition, courteous among his asso-
ciates, never engaged in quarreling, and
was generous even to fault. The iesu
mony of the old man, which was given
before the court and jury in an agitaled
voice, and with tears in his eyes, turned
the scale, and the accused was acquitted.
Here the value of character, even in
early life, was forcibly illustrated. A
case somewhat similar, was recently tried
in THIS city. A young man was indicted
for forgery, and the prosecutor testified
positively, not only that his name had
been forged, but that the defendant had
issued the paper to which il was attached.
But host Of witnesses came forward who
had known the youth FOR several years,
and also testified to his good characters,
and he was consequently released. Y
This was altogether right. ISIS almost
impossible for an individual who i0rlen
swctI.ys " thirty yiias, has been N thtE
walking conssie ii@aul sad up
fIxliaf asJRmlk ! base ssllqs, gssst