Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1870-12-16
DECISION.

DECISION.
There are few things more paintui
n endure or moro detrimental to sue
,s.s. than an 'i~rresolute, undecided.
va~cilla.ing state Of mind. There are
p.rsons who have many excellent
appear TO b the con-
tinual sport Of circumstance or I'M
pulse. Anxious and fearful Of mis-
takes, they hold their minds in an
ever-trcmbting balance between OPP
posing choices, and though suffering
pain in their suspense, and shame IN
their irresolution, seem utterly incap-
able Of arriving at any definite deter
mination. Even purposes already
formed are often surrendered, when a
new train Of thought magniies the
difficulties aud questions the wisdom
Of the first decision, and many excel
lent designs are thus abandoned, and
much good frustrated BY the want Of
firm good decision Of character. Such
irresolution IL to be ever hanging de-
pendently on the Judgment Of others.
The sentiments Of n friend or the ridi-
cule Of an enemy are sufficient to melt
away what has been thought to be the
frme.t resolve, and intercourse with
various personstof different notions re-
duces' the Sacillating mind to an I'm
potent state Of perplexity. Much Of
this indecision proceeds from pecu-
liarity Of constitution. There Is some
thing in the physical construction Of
certain persons which induces a men-
tal energy aud stability that others
lack. A decided majority OF those
who are noted.for their decisiveness Of
character, also possess vigorous physi-
cal powers, enabling them to endure
the labor or harlships necessary to
effect their objects. Yet the fact that
there are exceptions to thls-that some
resolute and determined characters are
found united with feeble frames
should prevent any one from despair
ing on this account Of improving their
powers Of decision. Certainly a strong
physique by no means secures this val
liable element, and instances are not
rare where strength of body aud feeble
ness Of will are united. There Is fire.
quently a sort Of obstinacy OF temper,
erroneously called decision, but which.
proceeding not from the convictions Of
Judgment OF reason, but from the mere
vanity Of authority or love Of self-as-
sertion, deserves only censure. En-
trenle confidence In ones own wisdom
may, and often does exist, where there
Il the least foundation for 1t, and cor
ceit Is far more rs~prehensible than in
decision. Indeed, n chief requi-
site for obtaining a wise decision
OF character, Is to hold the mind
free to receive new light from every
source. and ready, upon sufficient
grounds. to alter or revoke its resolves.
4 willingness to hear and weigh all
sides of a question, and to receive any
information bearing on It with glad
ness, even from those whose Judgment
may DO inferior, is essential. But after
Calming all the helps that can aid the
judgment, the responsibility Of de-
Gliding must at last rest upon ourselves
alone. We should w shirk 1t, or
throw It upon Others, or delay 1t by
tinid b~esitancy, would We prove our
selves worthy OF manhood. There Is
another aud very important means
whereby q decision OF character can DO
strengthened. That Is by carrying
every decision into immediate and
energetic action. More fail In this
than In the previous workings Of the
mind. They exercise the independent
Judgment necessary to form correct
decisions, often thinking l~aboriouSly
and successfully; but when this Is
done, and the choice made, they think
the work Is accomplished. when, in
fact, they have only prepared the way
TO begin II. They are dealing with
ideas, when they should be dealing
with realities. It Is well, when the
judgment has really decided any wise
course. to commit ourselves to it In
some marked way that shall oblige uS
to carry 1t forward. Delay In such
cases is always dangerous and frus-
trates much Of the good that wonld
otherwise be accomplished. The intel
lectual process Of arriving at right
conclusions must be coined, as it We're,
Into the solid gold of practical action
before it can claim any intrinsic value.
Those are admirable characters who
the most perfectly mite thought and
action, aud, welcoming all helps. COLI
scientiously bring their best powers Of
Judgment to bear upon their decisions.
Having deliberately formed their con-
c,usions, they proceed to carry them
into practical action. with immediate
and vigorous endeavor. Courage, per-
severance and endurance are all needed
TO form such characters, and are all in
their turn strengthened by every de-
clsion wisely made and firmly exc
cuted. 0T"r.
SoLASols the eighth county OF the
State Of California, as regards popula-
ton. With 10 Senators and so Assem-
blymen comprising the State Lsgisla-
ture, we will be entitled to Senator
and a half and two Assemblymen, or
n Senator and three Assemblymen at
the next apportionment. So says the