Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1843-07-14
The K,hlsee Of Character.

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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 in-
agine that they are pursuing very indepehd-
e0t course. A sad mistake, this. No one
is independent in civilized and moral CON-
muuify. who willingly and wilfully pursues
the pa,h Of error. We are liable % vicissl-
tude, to calamity and suspicion, and disguise
it as we may, when a Islander is related OF an
individual, we are apt 10 believe it or disbe-
iieve it according to the character which the
individual before enjoyed. Thus, II he had
been perverse vicious, irreligious OF immoral,
if he had defed public opinion, violated the
prophecies Of life, and neglected his duties as
a son, father and citizen, we should be
very apt to credit, to some extent at least, a.
ny story that might be related to his dlsad-
yantange, no matter how serious the charges
against him. If violent, passionate and VIM
dictiye, we might believe it possible that he
had committed murder-and ground our be-
lief on comparatively slight circumstantial ev-
idence. But If, on the other hand, we had
known him 10 be subdued, we'll regulated in
temper and forgiving in disposition, we shonld
dlscredit any serious charge of violence or
bIoodshed, except upon testimony of the most
| unequivocal kind.-'rhe same rule is appica-
bic TO every other description of crime.
known falsifer, if charged with bitter and
malignant Islander, would be regarded as gull
ty upon slight evidence; while an individual
whose whole life had been one of benevolence
and generosity-who had rather soften and
apologize for, than exaggerate the defects OF
character in another, would be considered en-
tifely innocent, charged except upon the
strongest testimony, with having illuminated
a neighbor or a friend. The importance of
character. therefore, will be readily apprecia-
ted by the intelligent observer. The value Of
a good name cannot be over.estimated in an
enlightened, moral, and civilized society. E.
ven vice is constantly paying tribute to virtue.
The vicious never select from among their as
sociates, persons to whom they confde impor-
tant trusts.-Knowing themselves, they sus-
pect and doubt others similarly situated
Thus the beauty of virtue and the value of
character are more palpabe.
We remember having once read an account
Of trial for murder. The evidence against
the accused was altogether circumstantial, but
it was nevertheless strong. The prospect was
gloomy, and few friends who still chung TO
the unfortunate man, believed that his chance
of acqutal was very feeble. At that moment
a thought struck the mind of the Attorney
He sent and discovered an old man, who had
been the teacher Of the accused during several
years of his youth. He questioned him as to
his character, habits and disposition in boy
hood, and found that the answers were of the
most gratifying kind. He had, as a lad, been
favorite with his teacher, and deservedly.
He was gentle of disposition, courteous among
his associates. never engaged in quarrelling,
and was generous even to fault. The testi.
mony of the old man, which was given before
the court and jury in an agitated 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 some
what 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, bnt that the
de!endent had issued the paper to which it
was attached. But host of witnesses came
forward who had known the youth for several
years, and also testified to his good character,
and he was consequently released.
This was altogether right. 1t is almost i'm.
possible for an individual who for ten, twenty,
or thirty years, has been in the habit of walk
ing conscientiously and rightly, to commit a
base crime. Years Of proper conduct, more
over, should be permitted to weigh against
clrcumstantial evidence, however strong
Young men, therefore, when setting out in
life, should not, as is too often the case. turn
deaf ear to what is called public opinion, or
violate what are regarded as the rules of pro-
priety and the principles of virtue. Although
such course may answer for time, peri.
Cd Will come. or may come, when depart.
ure from the correct path will be visited with
serious penalties. 1t should be remembered.
moreover, that "a well constructed society
may be compared to commercial partnership,
where each has different portion of interest;
there. if each partner do all in his power to
benefit the genera! fund, the portion belonging
to one will become valuable; but if any, mind.
ful only Of his own individual profit, prove
careless of the united prosperity, the proba-
bility is that the concern will be ultimately
wrecked upon the quicksands of selfshness.
and involve in its ruin the author of the ca
lamity. "-Phila lnq.