Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-03
THE GAZETTE.
THURSDAY MORNING. MARcH-a, 1859.
lCoMMUSlCATED.
REGRET-BY J. u. JOHNSON.

REGRET-BY J. u. JOHNSON.
Few pass through life without having
memory, now and then, to recall some scene
whose body has long been cold and stark,
but whose image steals to- recollection in
company with the figure Of Regret; aud no
dalliance of the flight Of time can ut all as
suage the pain of this mental resurrection.
In the history of almost every one, there are
many acts, which, if time could reverse its
motion, would be cancelled, and in their
stead place those Of the most holy character.
The mind of every individual recurs occa"
sionally to some incident which chills it like
an unholy presence, and makes the soul
shrink from the gaze of scrutiny. This feel
ing of regret will sometimes arise when
least provoked; and though there may not
have been anything criminal or heinous in
the act which superinduces it, it will hang to
the thoughts like poison, and even amid the
sway of mirth intrude itself to curb the ris-
ing smile. Notwithstanding bright hours
often times shed their pleasant rays athwart
our pathway to dispel the gloom of care,
and brighten life with a generous glow of in
noccnt enjoyment, a hidden cause almost in
variaby tinges it with the sombre hue Of re-
gret, and with the birth of every pleasure
brings into existence a corresponding pain.
How often we thoughtlessly commit acts
against the wellbeing of others. and say
things derogatory to their characters, which
we would gladly blot from the records of the
past; hut we are so much absorbed in our
peculiar opinions that we too frequently care
but little for the affection OF favor of those
whose sentiments are opposed to ours; par
ticularly if we have the applause and coun-
tenance of those who are with us in feeling
and thought upon those subjects which elicit
most of our attention But little exper-
fence teaches us that honesty and wisdom
are not peculiar to any class or denomina-
ton, and that however conclusive may be
our side Of question to us, others wiser and
better NAV be engaged III conducting the op-
posite position Of the dispute. 1t is thus
that time teaches to all manly hearts the i'm
portant lesson Of social liberality.
How often do we denounce those who af-
forwards become our 'warmest friends-per-
haps the very first, when true friendship is
needed, to extend the hand Of support and
encouragement Sometimes those whom we
esteem ought to be Stunned, and those whom
we shun we should esteem. Often those for
whose interest we have done the most, turn
causelesSly against us, and become our most
implacable opponents; and how often are the
most violent injuries to another magnan-
mOusly forgiven, and the most generous feel
ing of kindness proven to endorse such for
ciyeness. Hence, is indicated how important
it il that we should weed out from our hearts
the slightest sembance of bitterness and
learn, not only to treat the claims Of our tel-
low-creatures with consideration, but to
show Kindness even tn worm: for so surely
as we foster a feeling of bitterness, and
evince an acrimonious disposition, they will
cause many moments of saddened retrospect
ton, and fill our hearts with pungent
thoughts when We least expect them AMI we
will often be Inundated by sense Of our
own thoughtlessness, under circumstances of
the most unpleasant nature.
Mans words, like his acts, bring their
own reward or punishment and a kind word
well-timed never passed unrepaid, or harsh
one UNPUBLISHED, How wise mankind would
be could they break the sullen silence of the
future, and know the effect of every cause,
and feel at the moment that which it re-
quires years to reveal. But We cannot scan
beyond the passing instant; and as we are
unable to say who may be our friends or enc
mics, or who may be benefit or an injury
to us, it is far better to err on the safe side
and have too much confidence in mankind,
than to distrust them unkindly; for If we
fall into the error of misanthropy, we GER
tainly deprive ourselves of many opportun-
ties of doing good, and place ourselves in q
position to be wounded many times by the set
opposition of others. If we are considerate
Of the personal claims of others we will
have but few occasions for selfaccusation,
and smiles instead of sullen curses will meet
us as we pass along the anxious path OF life.
Then let the animal yield to the mental
the mortal to the immortal attributes OF man;
and the mind in its untrammeled sway, Gull
from the bright garden of nature the sweet
flowers of happiness, that as We glide rapid
" on in Times feet bark, leaving far astern
many of heioyous scenes of life, they may
live in sacred images on memory's mirror,
to be reflected in the hours Of silence and rest
upon the responsive tablets of the heart and,
rs connected with self-reproach, without the
slightest shadow of Regret.
Alexandria, February %, 1857.
Dull times are the very best for advertisers.
What little is going on they get, and whilst
,.Lors n ra rrumlling they nav their way