The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-03-20
From the Philadelphia Inquirer.]
SOCIAL TREACHERY;
OR, THE BETRAYAL OF PRIVATE CON-
FiDENCE.

| Ok, L lie DI IA AL oE HR1N "A l. CON-
| FlDENCE.
| sob! colder than the wind that freezes
| Founts, that but now in sunshine play'd
Is that congcaling pang which scizcs
The trusting bosom when bctray 'd-NloOre.
! There are times and seasons in the
life of almost every one, when the heart
unbosomS itself--it we may use the ex-
pression-anxious to communicate its
Utmost thoughts to some kindred spirit,
and Thus TO excite sympathy, if not to
obtain counsel. There are few indeed,
who have not some confdant of the
quiet and social hour, some one to whom
every secret may be revealed in spirit
of utter frankness, and with firm reli-
ance, that such an evidence of friend
ship and esteem will not be violated.
And thus too in families. Among friends
and with near and dear relatives, all the
ordinary restraints OF conventlonaliSm
are thrown aside. Every action and
motive is revealed, and perfect relia-
bility is felt, that such revelation will
be regarded as sacred. In the multi
tude of cases it is so. The confidence
of social life is rarely betrayed, although
there are sad exceptions. We can con-
ceive of no enormity more culpable,
more deplorable than revelation of the
trusts of friendship, and of the character
alluded to. To steal into the confidence
of fellow being, ola friend or neighbor,
to win upon his feelings, and worm out
his secrets-all under the mask Of friend
ship-and then to betray his secrets to
the world-nay, to eXaggerate and per-
vert them, is a species OF social deln-
lquency and deliberate wickedneSs, from
which all who are truly high-minded
and virtuous must shrink with horror.
1t involves the double guilt of treachery
and hypocrisy. 1t perverts the holy
privilege OF friendship to the basest pur-
pose, and stabs at the victim, when he
not only least suspects, but when he
leans and relies upon the base and guilty
hand, as that of an adviser and COM
panion. But, there is another descrip.
ton Of social treachery, which is far
more common. We allude to the dis
position which prevails SO generally, to
listen to the frank and unprecedented
remarks of another-remarks made in
his own family circle, and thus on privi-
E legged, if not hallowed ground, and then
to go forth into society and repeat them.
!. The repetition, too, is often made in an
unkind spirit. The manner is changed
: or misrepresented, and thus what was
meant in jest or playfulness, is converted
into serious matter, and is made the
cause of irritation or ill-will. The idle
tattlers of the hour, who are ever ON the
watch for some hasty remark, and who
eagerly catch it up, and bear it from ear
to ear, are not only common nulsances,
but they are worse. They are the dis
turbers OF quiet and happy homes-they
are the fomenters of discord and dis
union among friends-they are either
: the thoughtless or the malignant causes
, of scandal, calumny, bitterness and feud
Alas! how many of these are to be found
not only in every great metropolis, but
in every little village. They hasten
: from door to door, as ii bent on mischief
The slight whisper of SANDER is magni.
, fled into something serious, and thus by
mods and shrugs, and strange surmises
regulations are trihed with, characters
are assailed, and household circles are
rendered miserable. Should it not be
regarded as a duty on the part Of those
who are admitted to the confidence oil
friends and families. who are made par
ties to their secrets, and before whom
/ many things are said not intended !ol
2 the general ear of the worlds it not a
} duty on the part of all such, to avoid
! the repetition, even OF harsh remarks, o.
, the betrayal of any single circumstance
r that was evidently made known in a
! spirit Of confidence Is it not heart.
: less and treacherous occupation, to re.
: peat language that was meant only for
the private ear, especially ii the repeti.
? ton be calculated to I'M lure the reputa'
, ton of the original utterer, or to wound
, the feelings of another! Is it not the
policy, as we'll Of benevolence, as Of
wisdom, to afford as much pleasure as
possible in this world, and intlict as
little pain
f live cannot say something kind and
generous of those with whom we miS
t and mingle, had we not better hold ouI
tongues and remain silent? If we can
, not brighten the reputation of those i'm
> mediately around us, why should we
engage in the unpleasant task of sully-
ing and darkening! All have errors and
infrmites, and all, therefore, are liable
to mistakes. 1t is impossible to keep
watch and guard upon ourselves at all
moments, while there are many, more
over, who are quick, impulsive and
thoughtless, and, who, indeed, often say
things which they do not really mean.
1t is cruel, therefore, TO take advantage
of such, to gain their confidence and en-
10y thair frinndshin and VET abuse hot