American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-08-10

IF there is one element in the consti-
tuition of moral character which should
be better cultivated or more cared for than
another, that element certainly is Truth
fulness. Our youth, as soon as they are
able to talk or understand, should be tau't
that Truth is an outgrowth of our best
nature, which alone can lead us to honor
bic distinction in life. Toplace anything
about which.we converse, in its proper
and true light, should be the chief end
of all conversation and conversation sub
vcrsive Of this ends mischievous, and its
votary is unworthy place in society
And not only in ourconyersation but con-
duct, vcracity should characterize our ac-
tions as well, for we can act the truth as
well as speak the truth, or act falsehood
as well as speak falsehood.
But what is Truthfulness First-one
of its important elements is correctness in
ascertaming facts. This is essential to
the love of Truth We should exercise
the greatest care respecting every state
mont which we receive as true, and not
receive it as true until we are satisfied
that the authority upon which it is asser-
ted is of such character as not to admit
of a single doubt, and that the statement
contains all the facts to which our atten-
tion should be directed Unless we are
thus guarded we are often led by the out
ward appearance certain statements bear,
to accept as true that which turns out to
have no truth in it, and very likely we
have not made this discovery until we
have assisted in its circulation Theprac
tice of this sincere and candid search af-
ter truth, on every subject to which the
mind may be directed, ought to be cult
waited in early life, with the most untiring
care, 1t habit of the mind which
must have a most important influence in
the culture of moral and intellectual char
acter. If we should be careful in rcceiy-
ing correct statements, weshould be equal
ly as careful in gjutng correct state
ments.
We should weigh well what we are
about to promulgate, and not only ascer-
tain its Truthfulness, but also its fitness
for the public ear. We should ascertain
whether it is general principle or mat
ter of but rare occurrence. For some
times, by relating circumstance which
may have happened but very rarely we
may, by our peculiar mode Of stating it,
convey the idea that the circumstances is
genearl in all ats bearings, when just the
opposite me3ning should be conveyed
Many statements though true in word, to
the letter, are related in such manner
and under such circumstances as to make
a false impression and to lead to false con-
elusions There are certain actions in
the lives of individuals, who are upright
and honest, which if related under GER
tain circumstances, would be directly op-
posed to uprighthness and honesty. On
the other hand, certain actions if made
manifest would be taken as an evidence
of purity and virtue if unaecompanied
by their associate actions, and an opinion
of character might be formed upon a
wrong basis or by false measure. The
person who has a character noted for
Truthfulness will associate ideas and cir
cumstance, and determine by this means
the true bearing of every statement. He
will not only see whether it is true in the.