Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1850-09-07
COwardiee and gOuragc.

THERE are commonly reckoned two kinds
of courage, animal and moral. Each of
these kinds may be exercised either actively
or passively. Mere animal courage is com
moh TO man and brute. 1t shows itself in
daring danger and enduring pain. It is the
courage of war, hazardous exploit, and lln-
hnching suffering. The savage and civiliz-
cd warrior, (if the word civilized can be ap-
piled to those whose trade is murler) the
tiger and the panther, the dog and the bull,
often make striking exhibitions of this kind
of courage. We give it applause in pro-
portion as we are incapable OF approaching
u higher kind. Moral courage is the courage
Of the mind, the soul. 1t is less striking
and dazzling, but incomparably superior to
animal cournge. 1t is the courage which
arises from fidelity TO great principles, which
shows itself in high purposes, persevering
efforts, and patient endurance of adversely.
Many who have dared death at tho cannon's
mouth - who have braved almost every
physical danger-have proved to be great
moral towards. They have been vanquish-
cd by laugh, tired out with waiting for cx-
pected good, carried away captive by the
love of applause, and slain by mere ADVERSE
ty. Moral courage has to he exercised out
of sight of the world, in great measure,
votion to pure moral principles. 1t is there
fore difficult of acquisition, and lies at the
summit of human attainments. II is the eli
max of true greatness.
The first great struggle in which il is re-
quired, is ciplne-howing the will to
conscience, and the passion 10 reason. This
is usually severe and protracted conflict, in
which many hearts fail 1t is great thing
for ono TO say with full purpose--my will
shall be governed by conscience. / will
have no i0W TO do that which is wrong.
will cling to truth in preference to falsehood,
TO justice in preference to injustice, to mercy
in preference to cruelty in all cases, as
conscience enlightens me. How many ca
ses will occur where the pride and obst-
nancy of a iCrOng ,0iH require self-cruciix-
ion in order 10 achieve the victory. But he
who fails is moral coward. lie who con-
quers moral hero. A thousand instances,
trying as death, occur in which it demands
! almost super-huinan power TO make our evil
wills bend in humble submission TO the die
tatcs of eternal recttude.
The passions and appeites, too, rebel
against reason. They must be mastered and
taught to obey. The animal must be sub
dued to the spiritual nature. Here the con-
flict RACES with all its violence, and many are
carried away captive by their own lusts.-
Those who deem themselves fearless and ,ln-
conquerable in physical danger have often
no courage to Withstand passion. They
yield themselves an easy prey. He is hero
who has conquered himself This is true
moral courage.
The second grand struggle in which NOR
al courage is requisite respects the opinions
of our fellow men. To utter the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth TO
stand up every inch a man, and vindicate
what is right, TO beiriend the innocent and
the injured, to feel and act righteous part,
regardless Of the finger of scorD, the con-
temptuous sneer aud the boisterous reproach
of the multitude, requires a moral courage
to which few have attained. 1t is not every
man, even among the better sort, who can
encounter the scorn and ridicule of the
world, in defense of what is right and true.
How many quail under the trial, and creep
away among the stuff to escape the storm
But true moral courage will enable its pos
SCISSOR TO conquer, not only his will and his
propensities, but also the fear of flesh and
the dread of contempt.--Prac. Chris.