The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-03-03
/. coon HEALTH AND SPIRITS.

nea are Culu anu udTk Wtthuut lHN III.
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"GOOD HEALTH AND SPIRITS"
This is frequently used expression, but
all do not appreciate its force. To haye good
bodily health is among the greatest Of earthly
blessings. To possess cheerful How OF
spirits is equally as great blessing. The
former may be possessed without the latter.
United, they make man very happy. Few
comprehend the meaning Of the terms,
good spirits" until they are hereft of them.
John Bunyan and William Cowper had the
trial of the deprivation, and came near com
hitting suicide. There are men in poor
health, who seem to have an habitually cheer
ful temperament. Let them prize the bles-
sing. Ii is not betokened by the loud laugh,
which generally ends in sigh, if il does not
bespeak "vacant mind" 1t il not the
hiarity, which is created BY artificial stimu-
lants, sinking the mind to a corresponding
degree of depression. 1t is not the excite
ment Of dreaming yagaries, such as Coleridge
and Lamb were accustomed TO indulge, i'm
pairing the intellect, deraRging the imagina-
tion, and shortening the life. Nor is 1t the
intoxication inspired by some sudden success.
1t is the natural tone OF healthy tempera-
ment. 1t is like a pleasant stream, whose
waters are supplied from perennial fountain.
Concealed il NAV be, but it furnishes quiet
and perpetual supply. The sun never shines
upon that stream, but to be reflected in a
thousand sparkles, for the waters are not
turbid. There is no stagnatioR there.
A happy temperament is necessary for
business men, and political men. There are
times when the presence and the murmuring
Of croakers are exceedingly pernieiOus. The
Tories Of the revolution were frequently men
of this raven stamp, like so many Cassandras.
constantly foreboding evil. II required not
only the genius, and the energy, but the
buoyant temperament, linking itseilwith true
moral courage, OF the brave leaders Of that
mighty enterprise, to counteract the sinister
influences the Tories and croakers were per-
petaally breeding, and carry forward the
work. After the disastrous retreat through
New Jersey, when the American troops were
compelled TO retire behind the Delaware, il
required all the calm, steady, trustful cheer
fulless OF Washington 10 give spirit to his
intellectual plans, and enable him TO restore
the tone Of affairs. Under this influence, he
made an impetuous dash at the enemy in
Trenton, and changed the whole face Of his
country's fortunes. Most Of his generals
were cheerful men. So were the most eff
cient officers. Morgan, for instance, prOba-
biz the most effective regimental officer in
the army, was full Of the vitality Of strong
and elastic temperament, always IN good
spirits. aud ready to dare anything. lie in
fused his own spirit ihto his men. lie even
controlled raw militia men by his wondrous
example and words. On his rllemen he could
always RELY. But what should lie do with
undisciplnel militia: At the Cowpens, he
harangled them in few words before the
enemy came on, telling them he knew they
cogld not stand tire, but said he: When
the redeoats get near enough, deliver YOUR
fire with good aim, as well as won can, then
We VIII open to the right and left for YOU 10
retreat, and load, then when | order you,
come back again, and repeat them man9u-
yre." In this way he made the eminently
useful. Haselock, TOO, was eminent among
the class Of hopeful, cheerful, determined
men, who snatch victory from defeat.
Civilians sometimes fail for the want Of
"good spirits" Castlereagl was thus condac-
ted through a melancholy path to suicide.
The same is true Of other statesmen. We
have sometimes thought the life Of John &.
Calhoun was shortened By melancholy fore
b3dings Of political Affairs. We knew dis
tlngulshed member Of Congress, on whom
Mr.. Madison strongly relied for the support
OF his measures. whose spirits utterly failed
him 10 the hour Of need, - that with really
bright political prospects before him, he re-
tired from the scene, as the war Of Isl CON.
menced, and became a melancholy. inert man
for the remainder - bis life. How different
the tone Of Henry Ciay's mind aud tempera-
ment Defeat ullv reused his recuperailse
energies. We think Mr.. Benton i. i man o.
tone, 81 the " nd,disperaaIRm' class. 80 j.
Cas-, aud 20 certainly are Buchanan and
Wise. Our merchants and business men
generally have lately been ihroagh the er
ptrmsntinH crusi5. some have filtered and
sunk, bat many have endured and are realiz-
ing, II uot abundant fortunes. vet the blessIa :
Of" good .pirits'--lnestImabi it's. Editors.
Of all men, need emp.attralig the happy tenn.
psrameHt. D4ily editors. WHO can com.
pute oar cares, lab1r., paFils, solicit1des,
iatig1es, disapp0lntneatsi But We w0ald
not disguise our successes. As people, we
Of the United states mag BE- said tOb' hope.
fol, cheerful, pushing, victoriOIs--eten over
oarseifes-and that j. the greatest victory.
Oh our eagle Il mas BE- said, he has /" an eve
that never winks, and d wing that never
tires" Let Us then BE- sustained amid pre-.
sent difficulties, believing tia; Providence
VIII be 70 " - a pillar Of cloud b. day, and a
pillar u FIRE by night. 10 rondurtus through
the wilderness, in winch We are az present
eHtangleJ. i. i J,ss y On.
-~e.--ssssssss~ss.s-ss
Ar,iosr MagtSs DR.. Franklin, we are
told, once tld ssrtAat Win vas meyer IL
ihe wruag AZ last tie dttisss O. wlci. the
servant rssorted 70 coser Up his dciceucie.
became too much for tie p',llosopher. My
good lrieni." va. he inal reply, sou and
] mast part. never knew man ain va
gool az an excuse, % be good az ANYTHING