Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1851-02-14
rHn YOUNG MANS CoUNsELLoR.
eRNERAL cONDucr.

Y Al : l
Move with the multitude in the common
walks Of life, and you viii be unnoticed In
the thrcng but break from them, pursue
different path, and every eye, perhaps with |
reproach, viii be turned towards you. What
is the rule to be observed in general conduct
Conform to every innocent custom as our
social nature requires, but refuse compliance
with whatever is inconsistent with prepriety,
decency, and the moral duties; and dare to
Be singular in honor and virtue
In conversation, truth does not require you
to utter all your thoughts, yet it forbids YOU
to speak in opposition TO them To open
the mind TO unreserved communication, is
imbecility; to cover it with veil, to dissev-
er It's internal workings from its external
manifestations, Is assimilation and false
words, and deeds, is the essence Of truth, and
the ornament Of character.
II A man who has an opportunity to ruin
rival with whom be is at enmity, without
public dishoner, and yet generously forbears,
nay, converts the opportunity into a,disln-
terestcd benefit, evinces noble instance of
4 virtupus magnanimity. He conquers his
own enmity, the most glorious Of all con-
| quests and oyercemes the enmity of rival
| BY the most heroic and praisewerthy mode
Of retaliation.
AS to an evil report Of a neighbor, the
opinion of the. frivolous is lightly regarded,
the ealumny of the known slanderer is dis
I credited by all who venerate truth, and the
/ character of the known liar is sufficient an
tidote to falsehood A respectable man, in
his good name, offers guarantee for his
veracity; and, impressed with the beneyo-
lent affections and the love Of justice, he is
scrupulous to believe an evil report, and still
more so to repeat it
4 As a rill from fountain increases as it
flows, rises into a stream, swells into river,
So, symbolically, are the origin and course of
a good name At first, its beginning is
small it takes its rise from home, its natu-
rail- source, extends to the neighborhood,
stretches through the community, and finally
takes range proportional to the qualities
by which it is supported-its talents, virtue
and usefulness, the surest basis Of an homo
rable reputation
The relatives and kindred of young man
BY a natural process, communicate his anna
bic and opening character to wider circl
than that of home. His associates an
friends extend the circle, and thus it widen
till its circumference embraces a porto
Y rnsreIor less Of society, and his characte
places him in the class of respectable mel
With good principles and conduct, neithe
envy nor malice can intercept the result
this progressive series without good pri
ciples andsconduct, no art or dissimulatio
3 "a = 10y ..... &c :. s~~i,-l LSi-
e a person commits an error, and he b
sufhcIent address to conceal it. or suficie
Il ingenuity to ,palliate it, but he does neithe
!. instead Of awaiting himself of eoncealmel
and palliation, with the candor of a gre
|, mind, ne confesses bis error, and makes !
t The apology or atonement which the oecasio
q requires. None has title to true hont
!, but ne who can say with moral elevation
. when truth demands the acknowledgment
have done wrong.
Inc events of life are not fortunate or. q,
lamit6us in themselves as they are in tbei
efect on our feelings An event which /
met BY one with equanimity or indifference
VIII fret another with vexation. or oyerwbeln
hlm With sorrow. Misfortupes eneonnteref
with composed and firm resolution. aim osl
cease to be evils; it is, therefore. less ON,
wisdom to endeayor to control external
events, than to regulate the habitual tam
pf our minds to endurance and restoration
4 The emotions Of the mind are displayed
~ the movements of the body, the expires
i sion of the features and the tone, Of ia
voice It is more difficult to disguise the
tones of the voice, than any other exterpal
manifestation of internal feeling. The chan
ging accents of the voice of those with whom
we have long lived in intimate intercourse,
40 the communication OF sentiment, are less
sequlyooal and more impressive than even
language itself
tConcluded ncat tcesk.