The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-05-16

patton could not occupy any place he
d-n pleasedw-N. o. Delta.
THE PERlLS OF FALSEHOOD.
In the beautiful language of an emil
nent writer, "when once a conceal
ment or deceit has been practiccd in
matters where all should be fair and
open as the day confidence can new
er be restored no more than you can
restore the white bloom to the grape or
to the plum which you have once pres
sed in your hand" How true is this;
and yet what neglected truth by a
great portion Of mankind. Falsehood
is not only one OF the most humiliating
of vices, but sooner or later it is almost
certain TO lead to many serious crimes.
With partners IN trade--wlth partners
in life-with friends, with lovers, how
important is confidence! How essen
tiaI that all guile and hypocricy should
be guarded against in the intercourse
between such parties. How much
misery would be a, oided in the history
Of many lives, had truth and sincerity
been guided and controlling motives,
instead Of prevcrication and deceit
&" Any vice." said parent in our hear:
ing a few days since, "any vice, at
least among the fraiIties Of a milder
character, but falsehood. Far better
that my child should commit an elror
or do.a wrong and confess it, than es-
cape the penalty, however severe, by
lalsehood and hypocrisy. Let me
know the worst, and remedy may
possibly be applied. But keep me in
the dark-let me be mised or deceived
and it is impossible to tell at what un-
prepared hour crushing blow-an
overwhelming exposure may come"
Falsehood is the mask which many
other errors may be and are concealed.
1t may moreover, make vice for a time
appear virtue. and thus betray the in
nocent and upsuspecting. Conversing
a few days since with friend, we de-
tailed statement of somewhat re-
markable character, and at the same
time mentioned our author.
Upon this our friend burst into
hearty laugh, ,and treated the whcIe sto-
ry as weak invention, or at least
wild exaggeration. 'For," said he,
"your informant is notorious falsifer.
Every thing he says must be received
with considerable allowance. And
then he went on to cite several cases IN
which he had been deceived IN like
manner. "But" he continued, shaving
discovered the propensity of to
ib, | govern myself accordingly. with
regard to his stories." What lamen-
table instance of the folly and madness
of falsehood! And yet this instance is
by no means rare; neither is the vice
confined to the rougher sex. Alas! it
is too prevalent every where. The
disposition TO boast exalt and make a
display is one that in many cases indu-
ces falsehood. Who cannot single out
some male or female friend, with whom
the habit has become almost incurable,
Of describing his or her adventures in a
strain Of the highest exaggeration, ,boas-
ting of friends and associates, how such
friends live, the extent of their means,
the parties they give, and other similar
matters, under belief that such state
ments are calculated to add to the i'm
portance of the persons who make
them! This is indeed a pretty spirit
Of untrutii, and although comparatively
harmless, and Indulged merely for the
qualification of foolish pride or NOR
BIZ vanity, it is certain to destroy con-
lidence and to sap character.
How forcibly is the contrast between
an individual who is noted for candor
and truth and one notorious for quail
ties exactly their reverse. In the first
case, full reliance is placed upon every
statement that is made.-and in the
asst, every thing is listened to with
doubt and incredulity. In one the char
acter is frightened by the lustre of a
heaven born principle--and in the 9TH
er, it is darkened by frailty--a vice Of
the most deplorable descriptions
. Truth" says Locke, whether in or
out OF fashion, is the measure of kno WI
edge, and the business Of the UNDER
standing, whatsoever is beyond that,
however authorised by consent, or rec
by rarity, is nothing but ig-