The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-06-29

sayess, Addison. Its applicability 10 the
present age will be easily perceived -
For tie Usion and Eaters Journal
We arc told that, in Turkey, when any
man Is the author Of notorious falsehoods, Il
IL usual to blacken the whole front Of hi,
house nay, We have sometimes heard, that
an ambassador, "whose business Il d." Of ]
may quote his character in Sir Harry Wal.
toms words) ito lie for the good Of hi,
country" has sometimes had this mark se,
upon his house, when no has been detected
in any piece Of feigued intelligence, tina,
has prejudiced the government, and misled
the minds Of tho people. One could almos.
wish that the habitaiions Of such Of GU,
countrymen as deal in forgeries, detrimental
to the public, were distinguished in The same
manner; that their fellow subjects might BE-
cautioned not to DO TOO easy in giving credi,
to them. Were such method put in prac.
tee, this metropolis would be strangely
checquorod; some entire parishes would b.
in mourning, and several streets would b
darkened from one end TO the other.
But have given ny thoughts, in two
papers, both on the inventors and tho BE-.
levers Of these public falsehoods and calum'
MES, and shall hero speak Of that contempt
with which they are and ought to DO rsceiv.
ed by those in high stations, at whom they
ore levellsd. Any person, indeed, who Is
jealous Of promoting the interests Of his
country, must conquer oil that tenderness
and delicacy which may make him afraid Of
being spoken Ill Of; or his endeavors will
often produce no less uneasiness to himself,
than benefit the public. Among o people
who indulge themselves in the utmost free.
doms Of thought and speech. man must
either be Insignificant, or able to bear an
undeserved reproach. A true patriot may
comfort himself under tho attacks Of false.
hood and obloquy, from several motives and
reflections.
In the FIRST place no should consider that
the chief of his antagonists are generally
actuated by spirit Of envy; which would
not rise against him, IL It were not provoked
by his desert. A Statesman, who Is pos
sessed Of real merit, should look upon hi.
political censurers with the same neglect
that good writer regards his critics (; who
are generally race Of men who are not abb
to discover the beauties Of work they eI
anime, and deny that appreciation to others
which they never met with themselves
Patriots, therefore, should rather rejoice II
the success OF their honest designs, thar
be mortified by those who misrepreson
them.
They should likewise consider that mo-
only envy, but vanity has share in the de-
traction Of their adversaries, therefore, d.
them honor ut the Same time that they orr
intended to lessen their reputation. They
should reflect that those who endeavor to
stir up the multitude against them, do IL to
DO thought considerable, and not little up,
plaud themselves in talent that can raise
clamors out Of nothing, and throw fermen
among the people, by murmurs or complaints
which they know in their own hearts are
altogether groundless. There is q pleasan,
instance Of this nature recorded at length in
the first book Of The Annals Of Tacitus.-
When great part Of the Roman lcgions
were in disposition 10 mutiny, an impuden!
varlct, who was private sentinel, being
mounted upon the shoulders Of his fellow.
soldiers, and resolved to try the power Of hi.
eloqucnce, and addressed himself to the
army, in all the postures OF an orator, after
tho following manner -" You have given
liberty to these miserable men," said he
pointing to some criminals whom they had
rescued, but which Of you can restore life
to my brother! who can give mo back my
brother! He was murdered no longer ago
than last night, by the hands Of those ruf.
fans, who are entertained by tho General 10
butcher the poor soldicry. Tell me, Blae.
sus," that was tho name Of the General who
was then sitting on the tribunal, "tell me
where hast thou cast his dead body' An
enemy does not grudse tho rites Of burial.
When I have tired myself with kissing his cold
corpse, and weeping over 1t, order me to be
slain upon It. All Task ofmy fellow-soldiers,
since We both die in their cause, is, that they
they would lay me in the same grave with
my brother"
The whole army was in m uproar at this
moving speech, and resolved to do the speak
er justice, when, upon inquiry, they found
tina, he never had brother In his life; and
that ho stirred up the sedtiOn only to show
his parts.
Public ministers would likewise do well to
consider, that the principal authors Of such
approaches as are cast upon them, are thos,
who have mind to get their places; and
as censuro arising from this matter. II IL
in their power to turn It upon their compel
itors. Malecontents Of an inferior character
are actuated by the Same principle; for so
long as there are employments Of all sizes,
there will DO murmurors Of all degrees
I have heard Of country gentleman, who
made q very long and melancholy complaint
to the late Duke Of Buckingham, when he
was In great power at court, Of several pub
lie grievances. The Duke, aher having given
him patient hearing" Ny dear friend"
said he, this Is but too true bnt have
thought OF IN e.pedient which will set all
things right, and that very soon." His coun-
try fricni asked him what Il was. "You
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