Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-06-17
MliistelIa1eol1s It'll Aeaoing
THE nEsPFRAD0sS Est EEuEH;
By CHARLES sUMMERrIELD.

Hero worship is an instinct Of the human
heart. In all ages and nations and with eVerii'
class of the species. it bravely commands the
kew (which opens the door to the temple Of
fame. and with its fierce hand writes the pas
port to universal popularity. Proves is tic
Inaster-word Of all history, and has the force oi
magical incantation to move the mad or iname
the feelings of both old and young. 1t is the
envy of the one sex, and the admiration of the
other. 1t inspires poetry, eoquence and art,
and forms the lile-breadth and being Of the po-
litical world.
Some philosophers endeavor to degrade this
glorious attribute by the contemptuous eplthetS
of mere brute bravery" as if the unrefectine
ferocity of the wild beast could be compared
with the courage of the intelligent man. The
lion and tiger, in their most bloody battles, have,
at most, q dim perception Of the fatal conse-
ouences to result from their encounters, and,
therefore, their fury flows from animal impulse:
without fear only because without the sense OF
individual peril. But what we admire in the
rational hero is the bravery Of soul acquainted
with tue danger and yet defiant Of death,
though marshalled face to face with that al
mighty foe; for in this case, the prowess must
be, in great degree, mental and voluntary,
rather than physical-a pure manifestation of
the will, far more than the effect Of organiza-
ton.
Nevertheless, there are strange mysteries
and ca,rices connected with the subject, as
there are many varieties of human courage.
Some heroes that can confront the most awful
perils Of c peculiar character, shrink like the
yericst coward from others Of different and
often less frigLtiul description. The bold ora
tor, whose unrivalled tLunders and fearless
manner literally appalled, the fierce democracy
OF Athens, fled ANONYMOUSLY from the field ol
CLnronea; and the worlds highest hero, who
rushed through the fiery hail that swept the
blood-stained bridge of Lodi, and gazed with a
t.nderlcsS eye on the carnage Of hundred bat
ties, vet turned pale and trembled before the
Council Of the Five Hundred.
!ilucng the despcradoes and duelists OF the
South West have never known ole who did
not have his "cowardly day" seasons--when
he would use even GiShorablc means to avoid
the personal difficulties which at other times
furnished his chief amusement and delight
Some men are heroes only when intoxicated
Others borrow all their bravery from the ras-
hions of lore and revenge. Many fight well in
The RAJ ks Of an army yet fly in terror from all in,
dividu;l foe; while Others display tic most rceH
less dar ne IN ali single comlats, but run away at
tie fire of q platoon.
Tile most remarkable popularity and incorl,
si-tcncy of desperation m.y he found among
the Mexican br,voeS of the Rio Gran:ie. who
eyince the u,mo,t fear at the sight Of pistols
especially revolvers, but shrink not from the
most terrible combat with bowie knives; indeed
thev never refuse the challenge even OF AZ
American, provided t!iay can have their choice
of these their flvorte weapons. As it may
naturally be supposed, they hecome wonderful
expert in the use Of their deadly hnplilnentS
! have frequently seen them stand. and, with
ont tre1nur or token of alright, hew eaci
other in pieces, until one or the olEcr Of tue
adyersarics sunk dead or exhausted.
But woe to tue unfortunate enemy who die
not ros>ess their marvellous .deXtc-ity with thu
naked dagger The first blow, one morta
Mexican stab, always, in such cases, teri'Efatet
the struggle, piercing the comhatants heart
Among the most notorious duelists in thi
savage species of conflict, Pedro Palacios, o
Brownsville; was altogether prc-cminent III
boasted, and doubtless with entire truth. o
having slain score Of m on the Rio Grande
besides unknown numbers in other parts .
Mexico lie followed the pr fession OF a gam
bier, therefore, wandered from. the mouth o
the river to Larendo; and in every ncgibor
ho.d might be seen the graves OF his victims
until bis name became terror to the whole
Gnutier.