The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-07-04

~ downright were 10 say tilne ol thS
strong things that he may say with i'm
punity, lie would get knocked down
for his franknsss; but the very audaci-
ty Of the downright man takes the world
by surprise, and forces it into admira-
ton. 1t forgivss his insolence for the
sake Of the courage, and the harshness
for love Of the sincerity. He, more
over, has clear head for detec ting
sophism, and knack Of getting at the
gist of a dispute, though it may be
swathed about in redundancies and cir
cumlocutions. He cinches an argu-
ment with homely common sense, and
drives truth into the mind Of an an
tagonist with as much force and as lit
tie ceremony as carpenter drives a
nail into block. He is a man, to use
very common phrase, who will "stand
no nonsense would rather q
thousand times be thought rude, boor-
ish, and disagreeable (Which he very
generally isD than call spade other
than spade, compromise an opinion,
or abandon prejudice thathe had once
defended.
In every condition of life, in the very
extremity of distress and poverty. a
man may be upright, and will be the
better for it; but to be downright is not
over prudent in him who has his for
tune to make, or any worldly advan-
tages to expect from his fellows. lfa
man be rich, his downrightness is not
much in his way. 1t may even be-
come ornamental to him, and pass for
caustic wit and interesting eccentrici-
ty. The worst that will be said Of him
is, that his il-nature is extremely pi-
quaint and original. If he be poor, it
will receive no such honorable appre-
citation, but be universally condemned
as unjustifable misanthropy. ltis rath-
err dangerous weapon in any ones
hands. but doubly dangerous in the
grasp of those who have not high birth
or station, or the right OF rich revenues
to privilege them TO WELD it.
j. The straightforward man has the
candor of the downright man without
his incivility. He uses clear and intel
ligible language on all occasions, bu!
does not hold himself bound to select
the harshest phrases which can be found.
Integrity also belongs to his character;
but, being more conspicuously marked
by straight-forwardness, no one thinks
Of speaking of his uprightness. The
notable points in the straightforward
, man are the directness and openne's
with which he acts in his intercourse
: with the world. He takes the broad
highway, and not the crooked path
, His objects may partake of the usual
I, business character of selfishness, but
: he does not make them worse by at
, tempts to disguise them. No: he says,
. 81 am here man of business, and pur-
sue my interests, leaving others to DO
S so too, as they have a right to do"
2 Thus every body knows at once "what
/ he would be at" and arrangements are
: made and bargains struck with halt the
s trouble which they would cost in other
l. hands. Some times this straighttor-
r wardness is felt as a little out of taste:
S but all are sensible its being extreme.
9 ly convenient, and generally acknowl
y edge in the long-run that his mode o
It doing business is the best. ltls anus
ing 10 see circumambient man come
II into dealings with him. He is apt to be
e confounded by the very Transparency
J. of the others mind. 1t puts him out
r. He could manage admirably with one
70 who took cumming ways too, howeve
10 much he might be upon his guard; bu
ID straight-forwardness is new mode o
y fence, and he sinks under it. 1t is tn
IN same way with the sophist and the mai
h. who has bad cause to defend by clev
l. er arguments: the arrow-flight direct
il. ness Of his common sense overthrow
es him at the first encounter.
IS, Straight-forwardness is not alway
Id combined with wisdom; but when it il
@. lii becomes masterful power. Eve
at by itself it can hardly fail to elevate II
d. possessor in the esteem Of mankind :
n As aIogue is defined to be ''a fool WIT
OF circumbendibus," so many one VIII
IS, has no bad designs and no circumber
he dibus abouthim be said to possess KIN
is Of wisdom. In "Don Quixots," we Sc
an straight-forwardness united with ha
NJ lucinations; and it is interesting to r
le- fleet how that one good quality-tf
i" lgood faith, simplicity, and thoroug
ry honesty of the poor hidalgo--makf
ce him respectable amid all his absurdltle
ms Generally, however, the straight-io
en- ward man is no fool, but one in who
he all the elements are, well combine
%. with keen eye, a clear head, a goc
he heart, a passionate love oftruth, and
,rd unfaltering determination to pursue