Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-08-04
nli5lellanfnus.
MORAL COURAGE.
caimnsss. Flrmnes-, aud ssir-rossessIon.


And Heaven viii give aud guard the rest
The philosophy Of keeping calm and cool
is very difficult TO understand and practice
with success at this season Of the ycar---
Some individuals are always il heated and
excited state, and their saiferings with the
thermometer at 95o, must be intolerablc in-
deed There are others. again. who seldom
permit their cquanimity OF temper DO he dis
turbed. They adapt themselves TO the wea-
Their and to circumstances aud pass through
life as quietly aud calmly os possible If
they have important and even arduous bust
ness 10 transact, they eudeayor to ft thcm-
selves fer its discharge. not by eageraess. i'm
patience and buster. but by quiet. method,
and calm determination Aud ibis perhaps.
is the true philosophy. Come persons, for
example, are forever IN a hurry. They are,
moreover. always behind tille. They thus
become fretful excited and irri.a.ed and
not only lose their temper, but are often left
behind, whonit is important that they should
be on board steamboat or railroad ear, IN an
omnious or stage. hey waste momeuis.
may. hours. in idle conversation d in triang
puassstss and then complain that iley are 80
unfortunate" They neglect business. break
engagements violate eompacts. aud st the
same time wonder at the want ct confidence
that is exhibited toward them aud at their
loss Of integrity and trade. How frequently
do We see individuals Fastening TO a steam.
boat landing. red with excitement, Just two
or three minutes after the boat has started.
and astonished as wen as Indignant that some
little delay had not takes place for their pc
culiar accommodation, Inquire into the couscs
Of their proerastination, and they will be
found in some idle conversation by the way,
or sad iorgetfuipcss Of hours aud facts
There is, indeed nothing ike system in the
ways of this world. Punctuality and rcgu
iaTity are sdorning Qualities IL the character
Of man. An individual who is IN the habit
of violating engagements. however trifing is
sure. sooner or later, TO lose not oily his
friends aud bis character but bis own self
respect. The best way TO- keep cool, there
fore, is to be upright, regular, systematic and
self possessed We should not put off till
to morrow what may be done to-day We
should not permit difficulties to accumulate.
that might be rcmoscd step By step All
should eudeayor To exercise some degree Of
manliuess, and confront trouble at the begin
ming This is indeed one os tho great esscn-
tsls, not only Of success ia life. bu. Il com.
font and contcntmcnt. The doctrine is, we
admit mueh easier to preach than 70 practice
1t is much eases to point out aud criticisc the
weakness Of others, than to avoid the mani.
lestation Of errors under similar cireumstan-
ces, Yet word sometimes has a rousing
and stimulating effect, and may exercise sal
utary influence. But the other day We heard
Of case in which an iudiyidna, absolutely
suffered temporary anguish for the want Of
little moral courage, He became Involved
in monetery affairs, found il difficult 20 real-
i've bis engagements. could not make his
means available within specified time. and
instead Of going forward to The parties inter
ested and stating the facts in a far, frank,
and manly spirit, he hcsitatcd grow nervous,
and at last absolutely committed the grevious
error of leaving the city, and With his affairs
confused, eutaugled aud unadjnsied, A
thousand vague reports were immediately cir
culated bis friends were puzzled to find his
whereabouts and when they did discover him,
he was perfectly Unnamed. Fortunately
there were those intimately connected with
him who knew all the facts, shc appreciated
aud priced bis character who were satisfied
not only that his means were ample bat bis
integrity was undaubted--and thus the mat
ter was speedily and happily adjusted. Aud
yet such was bis nervous sensihihty and want
of moral oourage--such was the perplexiiy
and panic under which be la5ored that be
was absolutely running away, and he scarce
" knew from what. He was eonfuscd. be-
wildered and excited He lost the balance
of lis mind, so to speak, became ashamed u
bis errors Of carelessness and prodigality
could not muster sufficient moral courage 70
make real exposition Of The facts, plunged
on wildly as If labcring under 6 sof. Of mon
emauia, aud as already stated, shattered his
credit for the moment. and narrowly escaped
ruia. Let no one suppose that this Is bowel
case, Or that be might not falier under rimi-
lar circumstances ~Iet him that siandeth,
take heed lest be falIlv In Tho great ma
jority of cases, the errng are the victims d
circumstances. They have been led on step
by step, until at last inAamed, maddened and
unbalanced, they have commenced some fear
full perhaps fatal mistake Of offence There