The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-09-25
Seeming and Being.

needs preaching in this age of cant, phari-
seeism and sham. We are surrounded
by ghosts, unsubstantial men, men that
are not what they seem. The politician
harrangues, but who knows that he means
it? He is merely feeding the popular
appetite, and when it demands other food,
this waiter at the public table will be
ready to supply it. The editor writes not
what he believes, but what he supposes
the public think he should believe, and
thus, with some manly exceptions, be-
comes base panderer to the passions and
superstitious ignorance of the multitude.
The minister breaches popular doctrines,
points out the good old way. and cries
"down" to his soul as it rises to tell an
other tale. Oh it would be Questionable
and, above all, would never pay, so truth
is choked down and the world marches
devilward.
If anything is true in this universe, tits
that every man should be a true speaker
and actor at all times and under all cir
cumstances. Neither priest nor president,
spirits below nor spirits above, can absolve
man from acting out this law of his
being. He that does this is hero; he
that does it not is poltroon in life's bat
tie, that cries quarter to the first enemy,
instead of fighting nobly to the last.
Some seem, because seeming pays bet
ter in dollars and cents than being. Poor
Judases who sell the Lord wishing for a
few pieces of silver. Esaus who barter a
priceless inheritance for mess of pottage.
What you gain in money you lose in man
hood, lose in freedom; you exchange the
crown of angels for the straw-wreath of
the idiot, and then chuckle over your wis
dom, ever to be pitied, poor souls.
Some seem, because they are too cow
ardly to be, they are valiant enough, il
may be, to beard a lion in his den, but
they lack that soul courage which would
lead them to be true to the God within,
regardless of the taunts and jeers of the
little souls around them. Encase your
selves in the panoply of manhood and
dare to speak out. Why shouldst thou,
born prince, fear the beggars that crowd
the door? What have men to fear who
are honest and sincere, who carry theil
best friend along with them at all times
and have an angel whispering in theil
ears, well done ? Do right and fear moi
for those weakest on the kings highway
where no lion nor ravinous beast can come
and that leads to the city of happinss:
that all are searching for.
Some are seemers because it is fashion
able. Sham is lord and they bow to hi
sway and walk in his train; they tax.
their thoughts and words from the leaderl
of sham as they take their clothes from
the tailor. 1t is nothing to them what tn,
fashion is, but they would not be out O
it for the world. In Ephesus they would
cry "Great is DIANA" as they now cry VI
every idol that the people worship. How
base is the life that such lead--a living lie
Ever the soul says one thing, ever tn,
lips say another; the soul freighted witt
no manly purpose, its helm held by nj
honest endeavor, is tossed upon tn
treacherous sea of fashion, and SINKS il
its dark recesses.
What the soul thinks, then, speak il
thunder tones, if need be; write, thougl
it be with an iron pen; the lines inscribed
on the worlds heart, shall live when trick
and lies and shams shall be no more
Better to live in cottage, eat black brea,
and drink cold water, being a free-think
ing, outspeaking man. than to live in
palace on kingly dainties, never daring t
give uttersnce to the thought that swell
up in the soul.
Man, woman, everywhere be true t
thyself, and thou shalt be richer tina
Solomon, wiser than Solomon and happ
:, as thy nature will permit thes.