Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-03-03
COMMUNICATED.
THE FAEATIC-By J. B. johnson

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Mans pride of opinion, is often the decoy OF
his nature 1t grows in the absence OF decisive
experiment, and when excessive, becomes
Fanaticism. 1t imbibes assurance from the
distance which separates it from refutatlon
of its misguided ardor, and its enthusiasm can
only be measured by the Wildness Of its no
tons; for when the mind is enormously tutored
inthe pursuit of a subject, restlessness is apt
to involve all its energies in the Juror OF an
unreasonable zeal that becomes too boundlesS
for the control of accomplished facts, and goes
headloIg amid the dark paths OF untrled expe-
dents to gain good, which is just visible
enough for it to see, but not real enough Tor 1t
to touch. Thus it is with the Fanatic. lie
selects with cautious cunning, the extreme IN
terest Of the most plausible part OF his tavorlte
subject; aud invests it with the force OF
claim, which engrosseS his attention, fills bis
words, and directs his way to such an extent,
that be has no patience with the medium voice
of reason He usually makes an imaginary
model his guide, and followsit with an ldola-
trous adherence until it vanishes amid the
wreck of a needless struggle Tor the consum-
nation OF impracticable projects. In thlsWay
Fanaticism is often cure unto itself, and leaves
the object which it espoused, IN a worse conal-
ton than that In which it found II, and the
cause which it opposed, strengthened by ITS
failure to present an adequate remedy Tor the
evils about which it was its delight TO create
agitation.
The Fanatic does not possess that degree OF
humility which is necessary to investigate the
real value of truth follow 1t In all It's bearings
and ADOPT it as the chart Of his course and
however we'll induced be may be, to relinquish
his mistaken views, be will ever retain his
petted ideas, and attempt to disseminate them
long after the time or chance, for their adop-
ton has past When told Of the impractical
bility of his position, and the mischief which
may ensue from disturbance OF questions
among those to whom such disturbance Is, ID
every particular, distasteful, he turns away
from the voice of warning, and dlsdalnfully
plays the part Of the 8eal0t much to the an
noyance of those around him. He is the sick
" instrument of diseased culture; and chro-
nology has not yet accorded any good to the
work Of his chimerical notions, Or to the power
of his misguided energy +; but on the contrary,
its pages are hardened with the narration OF
the disorder, crime. and sin, which ne has
committed under the deceptive claim or bene-
fitting mankind. He ordinarily assumes the
plea of being y5cegerent of Higher Law !; and,
whether be fixes his hold upon matters of
Church or State, the result Of his course is
the same, and when his terrible rule meets even
a temporary check, that portion OF mankind
subjected to his behests aud unwllllngly con-
trolled by bis mandates, experiences the purest
evidence of relief, and the hspplest respite;
for his plan is mania with him, and he esti-
mates all as wrong save those who wed his
schemes He is always aggressive, and never
defensive in his attempts. lie never desires to
correct his own condition, but will consent to
destroy millions of lives, and spend billions OF
money to improve what be presumes to be,
the moral declivity Of his nelghDor. His 90
iect is to establish some over-estlmated Denent,
and to reform some assumed defect tnat mas
no personal connection with himself Ii the
pomp of rank, and the powers OF place should
surround him with their potency, re always be-
comes the baoe Of peace, and the curse OF the
world, in consequence OF the excuses which
temptation induces him to commit lie pro
ceeds with some caution at hrst, ana With a
subtle purpose, Econceals the character or MS
intentions until little familiarity with the
prerogative of official station, gives him securl-
ty for the display of his Interior plans He
puts one department., after another, OF MS
patronage, under the control OF his dominant
feeling. and treats all as disaffected, who do
not act with him. By encouraging none but
those who are imbued with his sentiments, ne
creates inyidious distinctions, and heart burn
ipgs, which result in the production OF such
conflicting passions that truth is outraged, and
honesty shrinks despirited from contest, IN
which knaves, are the preferred instruments
to further the end of deslotic rule, and 'ndls-
criminae ruin. When fully under tie an1petas
of an irrational career, the Fanatic cannot
return TO law and order, but is driven by his
JoI,c;o, +,on, ooa ov+ra,,,a of ,,OcV to another.