The Portland daily press., 1864-01-29
COMMUNICATIONS.
Written for the Press.
Way-side Thoughts.
BY MARY NJ. rArrERsoN.

What has an individual gained by loosing
their own self-respect? or what have they
lost when retaining their own, they loose the
homage OF fool, or the pretentious praise of
hypocrites, falseSo themselves as to Others.
For ITO thine own self be true, and it must
follow as the night the day, thou canst not
then be false TO any one."
When Aristotle was once asked what per-
son could gain by uttering falsehoods, he re-
piieo: Not to be credited when he shall tell
the truth. The character of liar is at once
SO hateful and contemplate, that even of those
who have lost their honor it might be expected
that from the violation OF truth they should
be restrained by their pride. Slander of an
inferior quality such as manages to erade the
law, and which digniied natures cannot stoop
to notice except legally, disgraces human ma
ture more than most vices. 1t is a midnight
robber, the red-tongued assassin of radical
worth, the conservative swindler who sells
himself In traffic by which he can gain moth
ing. 1t can retire to no fraternity for for
giveness where its crime can stand In the
place OF virtue, bat must at length be given
up to the Kisses of the multitude without
friend and without apologist. Law has found
u necessary to offer security to the innocent
from these pests OF society called slanderers
when their crime comes within its Jurisdiction
Thus, to avoid the penalty Of law and vet with
AAAnfAS1 otOA Ct4OuEut W G&ttnQ their evil
tent, Is the nice distinction by which they en-
deavor to get their weighty stuff into the
hands Of gossip! Some charitable dame may
give It forward move and ere she is aware
finds herself responsible for her kind Sendeav-
ors Would that my pen or pity could raise
these weak, pitifully poor objects from their
choice OF seli-dcstruction, to the nobler pur-
poses and wiser aims Of a life made glorious.
An inner life where the fresh flowers of
feeling blossom like the chamomile-the more
they ara trampled upon the sweeterthe odor
they send forth to benefit mankind. Where
the calm, selfrespected soul abides in taber-
nacle OF Its own, dwelling upon a holy hill
speaking the truth in its heart. In green pas
tures, beside the still waters, where the sweet
isles OF refreshment lie. Refreshments of a
sublime life, that which satisfies the spirit
craving higher good, bathing In the cool
waters OF love and peace on earth, growing
into the full statue OF wisdom, reckoning its
own happiness by the amount it has bestowed
upon others.
Not to avenge oneself of their enemies is
the command Of Almighty wisdom; and we
take It for safer guide than the promptings
OF human nature. To know deception dark
as II is base has been practiced upon you by
those whom you deemed at least Indifferent
foes, but notwithstanding their unworthiness
whose welfare you have promoted-and not
20 avenge thyself, Is to do good to oneself, to
take new stand point wherefrom TO look
forward and to act becoming an exalted exis-
tence. Is to be calm amid excitement, Just
amid lawlessness, and pure amid corruption.
10 be great man, to have a name the re-
nown OF which fills the world, Is to bear the
bufetings Of envy or malice with patient scorn
while seeking to raise those barren spirits
to capacity for higher life. Looking only
with pitying eye upon the momentary success
- Ill