Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-06-28
For the Portage Sentinel.
Government of Temper.

Government of Temper.
That power by which we calm our feel
ings when agitated by distress, sudden
grief, perplexity, care, anger or revenge, is
styled @Gorernmas,st Of Temper" Wher
Disappointment is patiently borne without a
sigh, how often those unskilled in the great
art of sef-government exclaim, @How car
you endure so much, the thought of such
an unexpected change would force me to
despair, z But all persons like to find in
their acquaintancss a.dispositien 20 bear I'm
psi nt stahces without murmuring
An individual who can subdue his own
passion will make good associate, an ex-
ceHent adviser and a firm friend. If this
self-control could be obtained by only linn.
tied number, what objects of envy to the
rest of mankind would they be! That a
calm range of mind is attainable no one
doubts. At the present time how very es.
sential is it to prosperity; especially to thu
young. Scarcely any thing worse in gen.
eral terms can be said of young man, thar
that he is soon angry, or easily provoked
Every days observation shows that some
have that entire management of their minc
which renders them uniform in conduct, no
only from day to day, but for weeks and
months in succession. Disappointed in mat
ters of importance to themselves or theil
friends-depressed in mind-defeated il
their projects, or prostrated in their plans
still possessing that sameness of temper, they
are always agreeable companions, an aston
ishment to their adversaries and an admira.
ton to their friends. To the opposite of this
many are found, and some who have no ap
parent disposition to reform. But how un
aeise the course is, every person is witness
IF man who is in the constant habit o
yielding to his first feelings, could see hi
conduct few moments before some of hi
most glazing faults, in the same light tina
he does afteraUard how 10th would he be tt
give loose rein to his passion. Besides, how
precarious is his condition. To-day he il
at peace with every body-to-morrow hi
curses his best friend.
Bitterness is in his soul, and he knows
not the sweet of a constant quietude hi
is offended, the associate who may dare o.
chance to speak to him is not unfrequently
the object of his abuse. In the morning he
is. not able to conjecture what will befaH hin
during the day. Whether he shall spend
the day in possession of his liberty diligent
ly pursuing his avocation, or whether befor
its close he shall find himself venting hi
imprecations to the bare walls of som
gloomy cell whittier he has been dragged a
the consequence of an ungoyernable tempe
which has given itself expression in som
act of violence upon fellow-being, is wit
him matter of the greatest uncertainty.
It should be remembered that the founda
ton of much evil, and especially Of man.
social evils is laid in youth. When tn
young are seen giving way to this fault il
the least things of play or work, or anythin!
else in fact, there is danger, and stron.
reason, too, to fear for the result. Th
ocean is formed of drops, and the sea-shor
of grains. So mans character is frame,
by acts in themselves of but little moment
Mankind may and ought to reflect muc
more than they do under ordinary circun
stances. It shall be made, especially b
those who would govern their actions care
fully, Hving practical principle to thin
soberly. Suppose the most startling INTEL
gence is suddenly communicated; or ths
you are outrageously insulted. Let it b.
come an abiding practice with you to inve
igate every such case thoroughly befole ac
! ing or giving expression to the first feeling
in the least degree. It would be better
suspend our judgement and action in sue
cases than to decide amiss. Certainly it
much wiser to wait for more reliable ev
dence, on any subject, previous to drawin
a conclusion, than to trust the possibilit
of discovering the error in false assuml
ton. Il.
June Goth, l94B.
At their Old Tricks.