Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1859-06-23


I77the big drops of psrspiration stood up
on his forehead. bat no words came 10 nh
relief Of his palsied tongue. At length
he closed the book and thus broke the sol
emn silence--''My brethren, if any man
among yeu thinks he can preach any bet
ter than can, let him come up here and
try 1t. Failures, as signal as this, are
not wanting in the history of the craft.
To constitute the perfect man--lhe gen
I tleman-requres the observance of the
whole round OF virtues. And these have
not been better illustrated than in the life
Of the immortal Franklin, nor more con-
clsely stated than in his thirteen precepts.
The practice of which he resolved upon.
Emlnently proper is it, on such an occa-
sion, to repeat his record of the virtues
and the accompanying precepts. and to re-
solve. each for himself, 10 observe them.
not alone In commemoration of this illus
trous exempiar. but for their intrinsic val
ue.
And thus he recorded them:
81. TEMPERANCE.--Eat not to dulness;
drink not 10 elevation.
9 SILENCE.--Speak not but what uay be
neht others or yourself; avoid triHing con-
versation.
8. ORpER.--Let all your things have
their places; le each part of your bust
ness have its time.
RESOLUTION Resolve to perform
what you ought; pei torn without fail wha'
you resolve. ~
5 FRUGALITY--Make no expense bu
TO do good to others or yourself; that is,
waste nothing.
6. INDUsTRY.--Lose no time. be always
employed in something useful; cut of al
unnecessary actions.
7. SlNcERIrY.--Use no hurtful deceit;
ihink innocently and Justly; and, if you
speak, speak accordingly.
8 JUSTICE Wrong none by doing In
juries, or emitting the benefits that are
your duty.
8. MoDERATIoN.--Avoid extremes; for
bear resepting injuries as much as yor
think they deserve.
1U. CLEANLINESS. ss.--Toleraie no ancean
Illness in boly, clothes, or habtation
IL. TRANQUILLITY--Ben not disturbed "A
irihes, or at aeciden.s commonor unavcid
able.
l2. CHASTITY.
IS. HUMILIrY Initiate Jesus and Soc
rates"
The practice of this round of virtues
and the possession of these attanments
constitute my idea Of the Gentleman Of tn,
Press--and it is qualification to know
that the character is not simply AN idea
creation Of the fancy-an imaginary deit,
of unapproachable perfection, but real
iiving embodiment, such as we may al
aspire to be, and such L trust as we nav,
all seen. But for the attainment of emf
nence. must be added to these qualiGca
lioas, and The observance OF .hese virtues
an earnest enthusiasm in the profession
And this to only found where il is sou. h
from choice. and no. from accident or ne
cessity. There are men who take to tn,
profession as the rowing boy ia the sea, O
. the sculptor to the studio. or the painter I,
his pallet--men who embark for The .lov,
of it, aqd who prosecute i. through lon,
aud weary years, from youth to are, witt
a zeal and enthusiasm that never tire,
resolution that never flters. Such ar
our Seatons, Ritchevs, Stones, Bryants
Weeds, Prentices and Groeleys-mea
whose intellects have shed lustre upon tn
the world, and whose Herculean labor
will constitute their own best monuments
We follow in humber spheres, soldiers IL
the ranks, compared with these leaders il
epaulettes, but sharers in theif enthusiasm
and co laborers in the great work of en-
Tightening and edifying The world.
In no position ale the characteristics O
1.-The gentleman more observable than in th,
intercourse between the several merlber
of our profession..-I In times of high part,
excitement, or where great conflicting in
iere SITS are involved. there is a tendency t,
overstep the bounds of editorial courtesy
but he has no claim 10 the consideration O
E respect Of the craft, or to the name of gen
tleman, who habitually indulges in assault,
upon1he good name, the character, posi-
ton or attainments of others Tho habit
ual wranger. the fault-fnder, the backbi
ter, the sparlipg. swapping dog in the man
ger, who neither enjoys the sweet courie
sizes of life nor extends them to others, are
all characters unworthy our confidence
anu esteem, ana 10 De tolerated only as we
tolerate pestilence, because it is unavoid
able. There ought. on he contrary, to
exist among the craft the most ardent and
enduring friendships. Even friends may
differ on subjects Of great vital Importance
discussions may wax warm in interest. the
flashes of wit and the .pungent repartee
may be banded among us, but in no ca,e
should the controversies assume person
al cast, or lead to the utterance of a word
fof personal detraction calculated to disturb
the harmony of brethren. Why should
we who are but the mediums of in,elli
gence or the advocates of grea. principles
permit our discussions to degenerate tc
personal rancor? Who will compensate
US for the heart burnings created by has
Ity word, or a-n,alicious shaft. hurled at . nj
reputation? The golden rule is here a safe
one--if we would escape dctrac;ion, le
us avoid its use towards others. ~
The same is applicable to our inter
course with our fellow men Whilog tht
acts of public men are proper subjects o
animadversion, and are. to be canvassec
freely and with entire independence, ther,
. L. " - F. -