The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-03-24
MagnauiuaitY.

VIC
from the Boston Herald, to the con-
siderasion of that class of persons, of
whom, there are some, we regret to say,
in this vicinity:
This is one of the noblest as well as
rarest of human virtues. Without it,
there can be no such thing as excellence
of character. No matter what else a
man possesses, if he be not magnani-
NOUS, he is wanting in the chief essen
tial of human life. The magnanimous
man may be emulous, but he cannot be
envious. He is therefore at ease under
all circumstances-gratifed at whatever
good may occur to others, and sympathiz
ing with the ills which his ellow-men
may be called upon to endure.
Nor is it alone as matter of self-dis-
cipline that magnanimity should be cul-
tivated. As mere matter of policy, it
is the wisest course to pursue. Instead
of being envious of others, the better
course is always to cheerfully accord
them all the merit which may be their
due. If they refuse the same need to
us, they do not injure US. Our merit is
in deserving praise, not in receiving
it and the more Indifferent we are to the
proposed injury, the more shall we be
esteemed by the thinking portion of the
community.
The feverish desire which is exhibited
by too many people for public approba-
ton is very bad sign, and is almost
always abortive. The public are discern
ing. whatever may be said of them
In the long run they estimate men and
things correctly. If man courts their
praise, they are generally disinclined
to award it.; for they judge, and rightly
too that if a man is conscious that his
aims are good and his acts meritorious,
he ought to be content to await the in
dorsement of his fellows. If he is i'm
patient, they pronounce him vain; and if,
in attempting to rise, he tramples upon
others, they are very slow to assist him
up the ladder.
Many a man In attempting to better his
condition, by decrying the merits of his
competitor, has so injured himself that
the public would not recognize his owr
merits; but sympathizing with his oppo-
nent, caused him to fail in his endeavors
And this is not confined to humble life
At the bar, in the medical arena, in the
pulpit, and among statesmen, we find nu.
merous instances where men have been
ruined for want of magnanimity alone
The people never did, they never viii
sympathize with those who misrepresent
others, or who attempt to diminish tlieiI
real merits. On the other hand, thai
man who is always fair, always just, nay
more, always magnanimous, has his OWL
shortcomings excused on account Of
the admitted excellence of his character
There is an old maxim that s'two of q
trade cannot agree p in other words, thai
they will be enyieus of each other. We
observe numerous examples of the trutho
this in our daily intercourse. If you &c
into store to purchase an article whichthe
proprietor is out of, there are ten chances
10 OuC SilssL he Will itO6 OhCNb gOO W 8
neighbor whom he knows has the very
thing you are in pursuit of. You a
length find what You wanted, and men
tally resolve you viii not afterwards pat.
ronize shopkeeper who refuses to com
J municate what you desired to know, be
cause he might thereby assist neighbol
in the same line of trade.
This world issoconstituiedt that nobody
lever gets anything by meanness; and ye
meanness, to greater or less extent, pre-
, ponderates, especially among the trading
world. But observers take notice.. auG
shun those who practice it. tits far bet
! ter to be magnanimoHs and help others
whether they help US or not. The wis.
. always do this, but, unfortunately, th,
"fools are not all dead yeti
/ How often have we observed meannes
practieed by those in temporary powe
. over their interiors for the time being
!, And how often have we observed thes.
interiors at length rising into the higl
places of society, and the dispensers Q
bounty to those who have arbitrarily in