The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-01-02
OH A R L E S TON.
THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY 2, 1s|
A Plea for Drn People.

liulOBles VI tue yVunb, Wv 1"'", 'AS SA"'S
anG the noble have been written, spoken
and sung,-the mythical villain of legend
has been made frowningly interesting
the tyrant, the despot and the usurper Of
later days have been cleansed and white
washed until, on the page of biographical
history, they are pure as driven snow.
Men of genius, students, philosophers,
no7ellists, rising men, falling men, big ras-
Gals and little villains, have been chanted
and described; but, nevertheless, ninety
nine one-hundredths of the human race
have been ignominiousIy neglected-not one
word has been said in behalf Of "dull peo-
ple."
The why and the wherefore may not be
understood, but the fact is still the same.
King GoLDToP, with his flashing diamonds
and crown of FURNISHED metal, may 80 daz-
zlo the eyes of all believers, that they forget
that he is silly, proAigate, and extravagant.
Queen SHEBA may rule over 30 many dun
geons and direct SO many axes that all her
subjects shall exalt her praise and magnify
her name, though she be anything but as
chaste and gentle as lady fair should be.
Philosopher STARS has gazed at the heavens
until he has forgotten his weeping better
half and puny children; but science is his
justification and public opinion his reward
and praise. Mr.. POPULAR NOVELIST so en-
chants the world with pictures of life and
sketches of manners, that his countrymen
cease to remember that he turned upon his
benefactor, ruined his friend, and put so
much heart into fction that none was left
for his own sober reality. But "dull peo-
pie" find no recognition of their merit, or,
at best, are SO family praised that they,
poor souls, had just as soon be blamed.
Even in fiction the feeling is the same.
WH1sKERANDos, who slays legions, con-
quers giants, opens castles, bullies, cheats
and thieves, carries off the palm from the
simple soldier who has only knowledge
enough to know his duty and sense enough
to do it. BELLAMoNT who smiles and
tnirls, Oajolss little milliners, breaks a
hundred hearts, does small forgery, turns
up Jack at every deal, laughs at writs and
never pays his debts, will be admired anu
emulated, while honest PIERS PEASANT who
only lives honestly, soberly and righteous
ly, is voted TO be stupid and aggravating,-
s,u awful foolish bore. DIANA MERETRIoE
whose path is over ruined fortunes, who
has rs much feeling as have her precious
diL uonds, is feted and caressed, while quiet
M1LLY MODESTO waits in vain for pretty
speech or fartering phrase, for sweetheart
or wedding ring.
Brass and noise, universal shout and
olamor, impudence and efr0ntery, have
always driven modest merit out Of the field.
The men who vaunt what they have done
tower above the heads Of those whose power
lies in what they have not done!
Dull people have done nothing grand OF
tremendous or awe.inspiring;-they do
nothing mean or dishonorable, criminal or
base. But the positive rides the negative,
and the life free from blame is less striking
Than the career which is dashed with blood,
shaded with roguery, and tinaelled with the
gems of family, position, or wealth.
Our dull men are not swindlers or rogues
or promise-breakers; dull women are not
AsPAs1As or runaways, or neglecters Of
duty and home. They have no easy paths,
no worldly encouragement, no laudation or
panegyric; and yet they do no wrong, and
do steadily climb up the hill the summit Of
which is Rest. Dull people are the true
heroes for they labor for no human reward.
They do what they can, and do not care
one straw for the perilous pre-eminence Of
their neighbors.
1t may be said that these dull ones know
not how to do harm, but every man knows
that every man holds the key that opens
wide the doors which lead to the halls where
slumber stertorously, rapine, violence and
fraud. Every man, however dull, can be
rogue If he 80 desires. Dull people can be
WHIsKERANDoEs, and NINoNs, DoRAMANrs
and the rest; but, dull though they be, they
are bright enough to know that SHINING
will never succeed, and that peace within
is better far than glory and honor without.
Leave only dull people in the world, and
the wrongs of nations,-the pains of wo-
men,-the losses of men,-the desolating
wars,-the carnage and destruction,-would
cease and come to an end. When the dull
ones fall, it is because they are tempted by
those who are not dull; omit those who are
not dull and all the dull ones are safe.
Strike out the shining lights, leave only the
modest tapers, and the temple of the Uni
verse will be free from sacrilegious blot,
and among men millennium will have come!
General Canby's Last Order.