True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-07-14
Common Sense and the Beaten Track


A distinguished writer has remarked,
that common sense is so rare a gift, that
he who possesses it is justly reputed a
great man. This IS very true. There
are few people who have, or rather who
make use Of, common sense {; tor if they
had, or did, they would not be slaves to
other peoples notions. Now and then a
man has the courage to take common
sense and reason as his guide instead of
public sentiment, and dares to face the
sneers of the multitude, and TO step out of
The beaten track of other mems notions,
to mark out his own course, and 10 walk
in it. Such an one will always leave a
mark and name behind him. He will
be regarded as eccentric, perhaps by his
contemporaries; but when he is dead the
succeeding generation will erect his mon.
ument. This has been so from time i'm.
memorial. How true it is, that proph-
et is not without honor except in his own
country, and in his own generation. We
often hate, or rather, envy, truly great
man, and seek to pull him down, but sue
ceeding generations honor him. And
why do we hate him? Because he has
the boldness 10 step out Of the beaten
track, and to follow the guidance of his
own judgment. True courage and
strength of mind make men great, but
servile fear and imbecility make th EN-
slaves. We profess 10 regard true cour.
age and independence as manly and
praiseworthy, and yet we are slaves to
the forms and customs of society, and 10
what others say and think. We have not
the courage to act as our reason teaches
US, but we must do as other folks" do,
or else be laughed at. We often sacrifice
time, health, money, convenience, and
utility TO custom. The love of respecta.
bility exerts stronger influence upon
many, even protesting christians, than the
love OF virtue. Does this evince courage
and strength Of mind 1t is rather ser
vile fear. Ifw would always follow the
dictates Of good sense and sound iudg.
ment, we should trample on many of the
steteotyped forms of society, and laugh
at fashion. We should substitute utility
for gaudy show and tinselry, true polite
ness for exquisite selishness, suitableness
and convenience for fashion, true worth
for so called respectability, right for pub
lie sentiment, and the fear Of God for the
fear of man.
God has given to US reason and his
revealed will to guide us, and it is by the
right or wrong use Of these that we shall
stand or fall. When we bow down to
other peoples notions, and adopt their
manners and customs, we little think that
we make ourselves subject to their selfish
qualification, and subserve their vanity
Humility does not require us to throw
away our own good sense, and adopt the
doubtful sense Of others, not knowing
whether it springs from selfshness or
benevolence. True self.respect is not
conceit, nor is it inconsistent with true
humility. Humbling ourselves and degra-
ding ourselves are two very differen,
things. The one is duty, the other is
a sin. To suffer the fear Of men 10 pre-.
vent us from doing right to God. to our.
selves, or to others, is the lowest degra.
dation. "The fear of man bringeth a
snare;" and many thus ensnared, go bound
and fettered through life, fearing nothing
so much as the loss of caste. This is a
prostitution Of life! And yet how many
of the professed followers of Christ are
living in this wayl Christian men should
use their reason, and follow the dictates
of common sense, and mol! the whims and
caprice of custom and fashion. If duty
and reason lead us into the path of other
peoples notions, let us walk in it; but
instead Of always following the beaten
track. le: us take the word OF God, and
enlightened conscious, and sound judg.
ment, as the "pillar of cloud by day, and
the pillar of fire by night" fIndepend-
ant ... ..