The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-09-27
a Defence of Hypocrisy
20 for a fafiy-rarsop power,
r. s,ar thy prafse. Hypocrisy.

f;s, ond all men unite in nttering male
fr..;.ns nnon vice from which few are
81. eroa New, we believe that none are
,xholv evil. and that the hypocrite has re
lived more than his fair share OF condemna'
,;,, ., the hands of society. Other sinners
%, sometimes obtain hearing, and present
tbe;- excuses: and every palliating eircum-
stance viii be weighed, before the public
;,ag,nent is finally rendered against them.
Not so with the hypocrite- He is condemned
already by the most sweet voices of every
body. :,
Now. we beg leave to put the query wheth-
or. all things considered, the hypocrite is not
q better citizen--in his relations 10 society
than many of those who so rudely assam
him. We say nothing OF course OF his eha-
rec,er before the moral law, that being en-
tire,y different matter. But as member
Of societv. and IN view of municipal law the
greatest hypocrite is often the best citizen.
The etvrnology of the word implies outward
good conduct-apparent Righteousness ana
Justice. The bypocrite must, then, be order
". and no law breaker. He must pay his
debts, uphold the good institutions OF his
times. and act like truly charitable and be-
nefcent man. Society has nothing TO do with
his motives, the results of his conduct are the
same to the public, whether they be good or
bad. The hypocrite's dollar will buy as
much bread for a starving man as that OF
the most devoted and sincere christian.
Hence so tar as society is concerned they
stand upon par. Is it not virtue TO ''as-
sumo a virtue if you have it not p Is net
the man who all his life time acts as though
he were pious and sober, and honest, and hui
name, when in fact he is the opposite TO all
these, entitled TO some credit! We cannot
doubt il. In fact the whole code of human
law is so arranged as TO require nothing else
from bad men, but hypocrisy. The law says,
be good or not just as You like, that is your
'Hook out" but act as il you were good, and
in my sight, you shall be so.
Hypocrisy is one of the most essential ele
ments in polished society. 1t constitutes the
very essence of all etiquette-in fact it per
vades and keeps together all fashionable cir
eles. Without it, what scene would a
drawing room present Knives and pistols
out ladies adding up long scores with their
nails upon each others beautiful faces; all
jealousies and hatreds, and ancient grudges
at once let loose, they would tear each other
like wild cats. But just pour few drops OF
the oil OF disSimilation-the bland and
soothing essence OF social hypocrisy upon
the assembly, and the deadliest enemies
smile sweetly upon each other-and there
are no contests save those OF politeness and
gallantry. OH and water will mingle if you
mix plenty Of alkali, and even thus do the
bitterest enemies and cliques coalesce in har-
mony, by the infusion of a little hypocrisy.
We confess to high degree of respect for
the hypoerite, There is nothing violent or
dangerous, or repulsive about him. He is
always well dressed, clearly shaver, with
smile ever on his lip and a benignant ex-
preston, which attracts every one. He is IN
all things the very pink of propriety. His
hair is well oiled and smoothly brushed, and
his boots of faultless polish. If he has any
thing to say against friend, he will kindly
say it behind his back, so as not to hurt his
feelings if he does an act Of charity if is in
public, SO that the world may profit by his
example What is it to US, whether he does
good from the love Of God, or through fear
OF the devil! What if from neither of these
motives, put through Difference to popular
opinion! In either case he has done good,
and society has no right to grumble. The
hypocrlte sets an excellent example. In the
matter OF additions, personal neatness and
propriety of movement, he is the very pat
tern ier all men to copy We don't wish to
1ntrude any interpretations of our own upon
any man, but would suggest doubt whether
the popular idea of the Pharisee in the para
bic, may not be little wide of the truth.
When he expressed his thanks that he was
not like other men, or even as the publ
can, might he not have been abiding to the
TACT that he was the best dressed man OF the
two? He wished to be thankful that he was
not one of the great unwashed'' of Jerusa-
lem, and really who blames him? On the
whole, therefore, this type of all hypocrites
was not SO bad fellow after all; and we
hope that he and hi countless imitators
since, may be able to keep up appearances
as Well in the next world as they have in this.
lfthey should be SO unlucky as to get berth
nigh the engine we hope that Old Nick will
at least treat them as cabin passengers
RICHMOND AND DAsvILLE RAILRoAD.-fn
ha laet &c AZ