The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-08-14

outstanding my past theory and practice,
an apparent wrong may not be real wrong
alter all that men, as we'll as children, Of
ten do, without thinking, things which seem
to be bad, and are very disagreeable, but
should not, in justice, be punished, because
they lack the ingredients of malice.
Then the Judge had imprisoned me for re-
fusing TO pay my fine. Yet. how often had
used stringent measures with men who re-
fused TO pay me, or give other satisfaction
that ! considered true And those very
men, too, may, like myself, have been SO
much influenced by anger or disappointment,
or even avarice, as not really to see clearly
that they were wrong. should therefore,
have proceeded with them gently and pa
tiently, and not put them down quite SO
hastily as rascals. concluded, finally, that
often, when men are really wrong, they may
be acting under influences which blind them
to the fact, or excitements which make them
almost irresponsible for their acts.
Men were not so bad then, after ALL Life
began to dawn on me in more amiable as
lpect, and felt a sensible increase of chari-
4tY. Yes. thought, all these fellows whom
| have despised SO much and thought so
mean, have, after all, much good in them,
and even their badness is more the result Of
warm passion than cold malice. They are,
in fact, 10 be pitied rather than punished for
nine etenths Of their hatefulness.
The fact Is, thought !, have not treated
my fellow men with common justice, and
no wonder they are turning against me.
have under estimated them and doyer.estimated
myself. see that am subject to the same
frailties as they, myself; aud il would but
, give them real credit for their worth, and
show them that appreciate their merits.
might be as popular as any body. My mind
Was made up. Henceforth compromise should
be my motto. II any other differed from
me, would, at least, give him credit for
every thlns-ignorance, prejudice, or pas
slnn-that could palliate his error and vindi-
cate his sincerity, even though il should be
a Yankee on the abolition question, South
! CarOlinian on notification, or a merchant
as to our accounts. | saw clearly that but
one thing was necessary to make any and every
0 man like me, which was, to show him that |
y thought highly Of him in some respect or
; other; and the more respects the better.
! thought and thought, till my mind was
d clear, and my resolution fixed. I would
: commence new system Of social inter
i course, and would commence Immediately.
n was impstient to test il. But how! Here
y was m jail and no one 10 operate on.
g must send in the fine. Still no one could
1 release me without an order from the Judge.
q At this point nv spirit recoled. Ask ia
m yor Of the Judge f-the old tyrant! Never
y | think that was the critical moment of my
: public life. | wavered. II was evident
that could not make an exception of the
4 Judge without giving up nv principle my
d panacea just found. The resolution had
\, formed triumphed, and by dint Of strenu.
lie ous kicks upon my room door. summoned
the jailor. pen, ink and paper were soon
J. at hand, and wrote:
le +" Dcar JHige:-I take this mode Of apol
a ogizing privately, a. intend doing public,
nc i Tomorrow, for ms disrespectfnl conduct
- aud language to-day. shall at the earlies
moment hand over to the clerk the amount
in which am fined, and hope that no bat
impression will be left upon your mind b.
z. my excited manner Of this morning. Though
o must say that ! think your Honor some
~ times little severe, according TO my in
" experienced ideas; vet my respect for you
llnnor's impartiality and ability should Ger
pr taInly put the impression, even if correct
entirely out VI view:
rs Respectfully, &c.
u The note had not been gone ten minutes
q. when | saw lights approaching. The Sher
III himself opened the door this time, an,
~ the Judge entered.
MIR. Watson" he said in an agitate
!, tone, AMI hesitated moment, 81 must &C
ns knowledge before these persons that | hay
iot done you wrong. Al the same time ] than
en- snn. sir, Tor the lesson Of moderation whic
!. YOU have given me. and which, from my az
ns and pnsition, il was nv duty 10 give yot
y. s,iAil try 10 profit by Il. Come out Of III
iar place, sir. Tomorrow your fines will
I. publicly remitted. and the court will not a
re law yOu 10 make any apology"
:, .tond amazed az the success Of my fir
lllt e.sa,. ~ we'll a. touched and embarrassc
ntf by lie tune of ihe Judge. From that da
Mt tu this lie has been NV warinest friend, an
Oh though he still retains his constitution;
10 sternnes.. il has been remarked that harsh
Ius ness has almost entirely disappeared frol
NC. bis official intercourse.
ine have hitherto faithfully pcrsevered in m
'in. resolution. though often with great sacriiC
70 Of my feeling. aud have rcaped the rewai
80 Of il. can safely say that | have not
me single enemy. but hundreds Of friends Of Il
q most devoted kind. Il has worked the mo
q wonderful charge, too, for nv own happ
nv. ness a. well u prosperity for. among 4
mo the sacrifices Of which spoke as neCessitl
oof ted by It, there was not one which tru
Nor man or gentleman could regret or censure.
Us ~. $50 then," said |. "your secre; is eoa
gth promise !,
~ Yes. Show every man that Won have
2. high opinion uf him, and shuw u especial
ow' when there !. any contest between you,
cp. compromising with his convictions, and ev,
! 70 his prejudces and passions"
.ion was 50 much pleased with ny old trien
bad that ,arr;sI Wiib him fur few days. cor
hers trary II previous intentions, and beio
me, Ifra,int the Village ascertained conelDsiyel
,tip. = ~. ,,i,I ~ ,ha ,.kals di.fFic