The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-11-02
Guilt, Success and Penalty.
''The rogue to-day may triumph; but

His fall may be tomorrow overwhelming"
We sometimes hear persons express sur
prise that some particular individual, known
10 be unfair, dshonorable, treacherous, and
guilty, should for long series of years, not
only succeed in his various enterprises, but
do so in many cases at the expense Of the
honorable, faithful and virtuous. Nay, see-
ing such apparent t:iumphs Of the reckless
and the base, the sbort-sighted and irresolu,e
have hesitated as to the further pursuit OF
path Of rectitude and well. doing, either in
despair, or mercenary spirit. They have
funcied, or endeavored to convince them.
selves that virtue was not cure Of reward,
that vice was better calculated for success
in this world, and hence they have directly
or indirectly wandered from the true way.
Alas for all such erring mortals. Where
one succeeds through wrong doing and guilt,
a hundred fail, and not only fail, but do so
with consciousness of having merited dis.
aster. We concede that at times, the pros,
pect is gloomy and overcast for men of no.
BILE energiesj high qualifications, virtuous
principles and undoubted honor. They
struggle on for years, and yet make little
apparent headway. At times, too, the pros.
pect is almost hopeless, and their energies
begin to fail. But it they continue to rely on
Providence, if hnfalteringly they pursue the
right, If, despite the temptation Of the profit.
gate and corrupt, they adhere TO integrity
and principle, they will surely triumph in
the end. There may Of course be EXCEPTIONS.
But we believe that the history Of mankind
will prove them lew and far between. And
even failure in this world is nothing COM
pared with the golden hopes OF the life to
come. A few short years, and however sue
cesslul man may be the grave will be sure
to claim him. If his success has been
founded on guilt-if by fraud he has accu'
mulated q good fortune-of what avail will
his wealth be, as he trembles on the confines
Of eternity! The past, darkened by wrong
and outrage, will revive in his mamory, and
he will enter upon the mysterious journey o
the never ending future, with fearful misgiv'
ings and apprehensions. Thus, If success'u
here, if no shall have lived long life. ant
have avoided penalty in this world, the here
after will be dark and uncertain before him
} But it rarely happens that the wrong. g.doer es
capes even in this world. Nay, in the hou
: of bis highest triumph, he feels that pen
} altv is due, snd he breads lest some suddeI
, storm should overwhelm him. A still, small
voice within, whispers of his evil past, re
; minds hin that he stands beside precipce
: admonishes him to repent and make restitu
ton. But he turns deaf ear to the moni
. tor, rushes into some excitement. and thu
: endeavors to shrink from the true contem
. plation of his position. And If he have on
8 sensibility, if he have not become utterl
callous, this is his constant condition. Th
Z case can be readily imagined. Let the reu
3 der suppose two brothers equally entitled
D the property of a deceased father. But tn
r elder being of age, is made the execute
' and trustee, and the whole estate is con6de
to his care. Tempted by mercenAry spiri
y. he willy and gradually appropriates to hin
}, self the property Of his brother, so th'
d when the younger arrives at the period
v manhood, he finds himself little better tina
J. a dependant. The business, loo, has bee
|. managed with such subtleness, that he
II unable to recover his rights. Stung BY il
}, gratitude, maddened by Disappointment
rushes into dissipation, and then the moi
"a cau,ious brother seeks various oPportuniti'
II o taking advantage Of him. until OF last,
utter despair, he sinks into the grve. IT
n fraudulent brother, meanwhile, fourishes
10 the eye Of the world, and is apparently ricl
It prosperous and happy. But can he be +
10 Can his slumbefs be peaceful and undistus
eds Can his thoughts be tranquil and cor
il posed Must not the ghost Of the defrau
cd. the ruined and the dead, occasional
I. haunt bic pillow, and look upon him wi
eyes Of reproach? Must he not turn rea
e lessly at midnight, and fancy that some 60
10 den Judgment is about to be Visited ups
/. him Mast he not shrink from his ov
Thoughts, snd turn pale whsn the memo