Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1847-05-13
For the Port Tobacco Times.


You KNOW WHO.
For the Port Tobacco Times
RANDOM PAPERS FROM THE PORT
FOLIO OF MARTIN SCRIBLERUS-No l.
Scribin,us indocti doctique.-HoR.
There are those who make it the business
of their lives to rail against the world in set
terms, deploring its degeneracy and wishing
it were better, not remembering that they
individually help to make up the number of
those who dwell here, and also that as there
is no chance of our getting another we
ought to be satisfied with that which we
have. should not object so much to this
if these presumers had earned the right to
complain, by putting their shoulders to the
wheels of reform and by strenuous exertions
endeavoring to carry out those principles
and theories of which they ought to be lv-
ing examples. But they are content with
preaching the worthlessness of the human
race and never by practice confirm their O.
pinions; and in this respect are not unlike
to oaremen, who look one way and row an
other. This Inconsistency in the character
of men in not uncommon, and is brought on
by the inherent desire we all have for change,
the dissatisfaction with things as they are
When old age has crept upon us, and with
it increased infirmities, we view not the
world as it is, but through the medium of
an imagination warped by sickness and dis
ease. We look back to the days youth,
when with sound mind in a sound body
we could enjoy the varied repast of plea
sure spread before US, when struck with the
contrast though not mindful of the causes,
we exclaim, ''the world is not now as it was
This is maIlifestly unjust. Because our ca
pacities for enjoymen! are diminished, it is
no reason why we should bring ourselves
to believe the world is changed. Diognes
the cynic was no doubt Philosopher, but
| consider him as having been from all &C
counts rather disagreeable man, one who
had not carried out the great ends OF ex
istence. As some are said to wrap them
selves up in the mantle of selfshness, So
Diognes under his tub covered himself with
the garb of moroseness, and in this trait of
his character much resembed some Of the
canine species. He no doubt had some
reason to complain, for as some authors
state he was banished his native city for pas
sing counterfeit money. Before we take it
upon ourselves to criticise the world, we
must show that we are moi liable to the
failings and follies we condemn, that being
superior to, we are not of the ''milion."
But arrogating to ourselves a superior I'M
derstandng, we cry aloud, 'Heu patrie i!
lieu pzebes sceze7ata ct prara," and expect
to be looked up to as suns in the moral
sphere and listened to as oraclcs. The
world is good enough for US and we are no
better than our neigEbors, so cen let us
let both it and them alone There are also
those who conceive great plans for reform
ing the world, calculating by the power of
their influence, example and cloquence, to
effect mi ghty revolution in the minds OF
men. But their zeal in most cases is great
or than their abilities, and from proceeding
without rejecting they very often get ahead
Of common sense and advocate impossible
ties. SO hounds from over eagcrness are
apt to overrun the prey they are in chase Of
"Rome was not built in day" is an old say
ing and a good one, and "more haste, less
speed'' is full of truth. But old maxms
and proverbs are not attended to by those
who are occupied in carrying out something
original. They wish to show themselves
wiser than Solomon by proving that there is
something new under the sun. That it is
Iaudable and praiseworlhy to devate from
the old beaten track, to dare to brave the
prejudices olthe mass in favor of that which
is manifestly better, no one will gainsay-
For had not some one done this we had still
been cropping amid the ruins and rubbish OF
ancient customs. But prejudices are hard
to overcome and mankind at this stage OF
the world will not be taken by the nose
whthersoever it may be expedient to lead
them. As in war fortresses are often taken
by undermining instead of storming, so OPT
mons must be dealt tenderly with and a
change be effected by gradual approaches
1t is not sufficient merely to affirm that such
causes will produce such effects. Proof:
clear as the sun at midday and drawn on
with the precision of a proposition in Eu