The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1849-05-05
Advice To Scandal Mongers,.

The prevalence Of observation-disclosures in
the world, is a great evil. tits mpIanchol
y TO perceive upon what Sigh, grounds
men are willing to believe reports njnr-
ons 10 tie character Of others. The mere
statement, is often sufficient TO obtain recap
ton, and ems lie propaga,on. The list
ners lake il for granted, that everything is
exactly as they hear ii: and without giving
a hearing to the supposed culnrl', judge
rim without law, and without mercy.
When light is obtained, II will, very prob
ably, happen. that these rash censor> have
been entirely in error. Either they have
not heard the truth At ALL or il has been so
perverted and distorted, that its character
has been entirely altered. When you hear
anything 10 tho injury of another observe
the following rules:
Isl. Mute the character Of the propaga
tor of the report. l. he malicious in disro
81 ion? Is he ally crelnlous9 Has
he an interest adverse to the panty implI-
Gated! Or is he ,honohlless and apt 10
speak at random, perhaps unconsciously
exacgera'e what he hears!
2dly Give the party accused the bene
fiji of any good character which he NAV
possess, and compare this with the accu-
sation now brough, agains, him You are
hound in eqHi,v, to hold HIM gniltlr.< unit
positive evidence shall be addncel in sup
port oflhe adverse charge.
3ldly. Silt carefully The proof which
may b. offered lei it he full. aud uoex"ep-
'io'ab'r: ere you ADM, it 10 influence your
decision.
i,hIy Refuse 10 eliminate. until Won
have heard what may be said on The olh-r
side.
Remember who It is that says "Thon
shall not bear false witness agains, thy
ueighbo'" Do You no, incur the peri! of
his sin. whenever you r"pea, injurious ac
cu-ati'n-. of he uu h Of which you have
no evidence!
And il it consistent, With charity to prop
agate even truthful accu>a,lons, unless il
b. mailer of p 's,ive duty to do 70! Bear
in mind the excellent rule that, '.if you
cannot speak we'll Of arohel, yon will III,
speak of him at all.' Whatsoever ye
would lh., men should do unto on, do ye
even so to ttem.'
Granted, that yonr nei.hbor NAV have
erred, may he no, have repented! Or
must you do your part TO obslruc, his re-
pen'ance, BY spreading the knowledge of
his fail. and thus destroying his character
Look little a, home; are you so entirely
":wl'hout sih," tina, i, become. ou TO bla-
zon abroad brorher's failings! Or, ifyou
we're, indeed yonr-eIf as holy as an ange !
is il The office OF an angel to crush the often
der 10 the earth, -",o break the bruised
reed, and quench The smoking flaxn'
How many hearts are inb'lt.red against
ea-h other, how many friendships blIshied .
how may fam lies estransed, by the
tongue OF scandal, The ear Of creduliiy, the
eye OF contempt and the finger Of scor"!
Far be it from on, dear reader, the con
tempiblr Office Of the scandal-monger. or
dissemina'or OF The errors Of yonr brethren
1T them have your pity. your sympathy,
vonr Tears and your PRAYERS: "fr so gather
est ,hyselfa good reward in the day Of ne
ce-siy;' aud shall be like Him who tina
keith his sun to rise on the evil and on the
good. and sendeth rain on the JUS, aud on
the unjust
''rhere are asset of malicious, pra,ing.
prudent gos.ips. both male aud female,
who murder characters to hill time; and
Will rob yonn. fellow of his good nam e
before he has years IN know the value %
it," "Many wretch has rid on hurdle
who has done much less mischief than Ut