Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-02-07
CHARACTER;
OR, EXPERIENCE AND ITS TEACHINGS;

| The first flush of novelty has subsi-
dej, and the millions within our borders
have entered upon the pathways Of the
new year. Generally speaking, the feeling
throughout the Republic is buoyant and
encouraging. The prospect before the ma
ton is we'll calculated at once to induce graf
itude to Divine providence, and deter
mination to put forth all our energies. The
changes of single year are often extraor-
dinary. They influence to certain extent,
every event of our future lives This is
especially the case with beginners-with
those who are about to enter for the first
time upon the arenas of commerce and trade,
and to build up. not only fortune but CHAR
ACTER. The latter is far more important
than the former. But this, We are sorry
to say, is not the universal, sentiment
Too many inculcate the doctrine-"Get
money, honestly if you can, but by all
means get money!" A fearful error, and
one that his made thousands of Victims
Success through the agency of dishonesty
is rarely permanent. 1t is bcset by tempta
tions, and in the end deceiyes and betrays
even itself. Such is the Justice of Provi-
dencc. The guilty rarely escape, even in
this world; and although conscience may
become callous and scared, although an
effort may be made to resist 'the still,
small voice." there are few who have not
their hours Of reflection, and who are not
compelled at times to ponder and shudder
at their mis- longs. Character too is like
the down upon a peach Once defaced or
ruffled, it can never be fully restored.--
BY cHARACRER we mean, not only integrity
truth and fair-dealing generally, but con-
slant exhibition of the kindly feelings, the
generous impulses and the high minded SEN
timcnts, which are 80 essential to the hon
orable and virtuous man. Let these be
, once secured, and il will be difficult for any
adversely, however severe, to prove more
than temporary. True, it occasionally
happens, that merit and probity. patience
and perseverance,, are permitted for "A long
: period to exist and manifest themselves
without an adequate reward. But sooner
or later a recognition will take place. There
are ministering angels abroad-agcnts and
: missionarics,- we may So express the
idea,-who rarely suffer case Of general
merit, unsullied truth and undoubted fidel-
: itv, to sink into utter neglect; or to suffer
continued privation. But these agents are
not always at hand, and hence ii Is some
| times necessary TO exercise faith and hope,
even for years. In the end, however, il
the good and the true be adhered to, all will
be we'll This, at least, is the doctrine
! that we should believe and inculcate, for
its effect must be salutary. On the open
ing of new year, therefore, a cheerful
5 spirit should be indulged. If we have been
: unfortunate, and at the same time deser-
wing, let us cherish the belief that we have
suffered merely by way of trial, with the
object at once Of proving us, of atfordin4
us some experience of the viciSsitudes of
us, we shall be able properly to appreciate
5 the blessing and control ourselves. No one,
however, should give way to foolish fears
and idle apprehensions. No one should
yield to dependency, and fancy that for
him there is no rich future 1t seems to
G be one of the laws of Nature, that human
I beings should struggle for themselves
: They should never give way to despair. To,
: day may be dark and boisterous-the out
: door world may be characterized by vino
and storm, but tomorrow may be bright
: sunny, and full of cheering influences. So
too. IN the moral world. We know not wha
: is best for us No man can read the fu
. turc. Even adversites are often blessings
: in disguise. They check, they restrain
4 they admonish and they teach. Who, IN
= deed cannot point to some fearful trial, some
c sore vexaton, and yet with thankfulness al
its correcting, controlling and salutary IN
= fuence. While, therefore, we endeavor t.
n deserpe the brightest and the best, let
: not suppose that momentary difficulties
: or even years misfortuncs, are not with
out their uses. Experience is a great mat
n ter, especially with the eager, the credu
# lous. the impatient and the over-sanguine
/ 1t is necessary, sometimes, that these
S should be taught thta the world is full o
trial and tribuation-tha life has its clouds
:. as well as its sunshine, and that there is n,
S such thing as unalloyed happiness on this
n side of the grave. Thus, then, let us b'
It admonshed in double sense. If We have
j. been unfortunate, let us regard the lessor
:. in proper spirit, but push on boldly ant
', cheerfully, always striving to merit hap
- py condition of affairs. And, if, on the 9th