The southern aegis, and Harford County intelligencer. (Bel Air, Md.) 1862-1864, 1862-12-06
For the Southern Agis.
SOCIAL SPIES.

0OI4Ah O14GC.
How strange Is the mind of man, ever
busying itself with the causes which pro-
duce effects in the intellectual aud spiritu-
al world around him-yet seemingly, ob.
livious of the operations of his own mind,
not noting its spring Of action
During the French Revolution-in
those days fifty called, "the reign of ter
ror' we read that the mob of Paris be.
came an organized body of spies, each in-
dividual of that tumultuous crowd busted
himself in fcrrern. out of his neighbor
his ancestry, his habits, his political pre-
ferences; and then taking what was said
in careless conversation before such tri-
bunal as That presided over BY Robes
pierre, Couthon, St. Just aud Barrce, the
miserable victim of misplaced confidence
was consigned to an ignomlnlous death.
] have often thought that unwittingly
every man in society became Il spy on his
neighbors, using his intercourse as a
means Of catching that neighbor i'll some
imprudent words or actions; and yet, what
man would acknowledge this fact? l
said cUery man is IL spy, but this needs
qualification. | would not do injustice
to that little band who stand aloof in this
respect from the crowd, and who put the
fairest con structlon OH the words and deeds
of those around them whose own purity
of motive reflects itself upon those with
whom they associate, and who draw those
kind feelings from their own good hearts.
Having made this exception, as in duty
bound, | proceed to discuss the character
of that evidence which these social spies
which comprise the majority Of society
-makc use Of in their efforts to bring
an associate into disrepute. To take up
name which has never been blazoned
with calumny, aud represent its possessor
in such light thai he would fail to recog-
nize himself, is to the social spy pleasant
and innocent excitement. To Judge these
spies by their own words and actions, as
startling IL catalogue Of supposed motives
for them might be enumerated, as would
suffice to cover them with confusion and
chagrin. These social spies discard truth
as u superhuous ornament III discourse
the appearance of truth is all they desire
in their embellished narratives, and this,
ofteutimes, they discard. These spies lis
ten to one version of an affair, and without
one glance at the other side, form judy.
ment, and act upon it, as if they were
capable of knowing the motives which ac.
tuate, by some unknown but reliable pro.
cess. A social spy feels a glow of pleas.
AIT Indignation, after looking at an acti n
from his own point Of view, and expatate'
on the falscness and deceit of char
actcr never before assalled. How true ii
is that those whose own actions are the
purest, are the most charitable Perhaps
the knowledge of the frailty of their own
heart, makes thcse characters 50 tender Of
the frailties of their fellow creatures.
1t it time indeed, that the great social
evil Of having spies in our midst, should
be put down. 1t is time. to assume de.
fcnsive warfare, and to entrench ourselves
behind the ramparts of aversion, scorn aud
Indifference, when warning against an ene'
any which violates our most sacred rights
and honor
The "Priuce of Peace" left an exam
pie in this great matter. lie taught that
charity which ''thiuketh no evil, which
hopetlr all things, believeth all things,
aud which rejoiceth in the TRUTH He
tells US, ''charIty covereth multitude Of
sins" AS we grow like Him, SO shall we
more and more exercise charity towards
those around us,
'Owning their weakness, their evil behavior,
But leaving, with meckness, their sins
To their Saviour"
M