The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-04-25
Original Gssap,
For fhe Dem0cFdfic IdrOcdi
The Desire Of Reputation.
ny FLORENCE WEIGH.

There is nothing on earth more to be
desired than an honorable reputation.
"0h reputation, reputation" says the old
master Poet of English literature, ~ have
lost my reputation = and no wound rankles
and cankers more deeply in the human
character than the loss of the world good
opinion. To the young man just starting
in life, though he may be surrounded on
all sides by golden visions, and hope may
point him to the hower-gemmed hills that
crown the eden of Valhalla yet reputa-
tion alone is the magician's wand that
showers upon him golden opinions, is the
silver key that opens for him the sealed
doors of society and honor, aud admits
him to the companionship of the true and
pure.
A good reputation is a surer passport to
trust and confidence than storehouses Of
gold, or even the power Of knowledge, for
what is honor to the miser or knowledge
to hangman each will fill his own posi-
ticn regardless of reputation or the opinion
of the world, for the gilded bait will lure
the m:ser into the haunts of murder, or
the other character to deeper fields Of vice
When Lucifer, Son Of the Morning, fell
from his high estate, twas in the vain at
tempt to overthrow the power Of his Crea-
tor and place his reputation on a summit
never dreamed of by his fellow angels.
Though in his misguided ambition he sig
nally failed, yet his perseverance in estab-
fishing his reputation is felt by all the
children of men
That good reputation is to be desired,
and that desire cultivated, is proved by
those whose claim for power and purity
rests on the good opinion of passing gen
erations; and there are those whose repu-
tations, untarnished by the fight Of time,
glow with brighter lustre in each sue
cceding age, "For their fame on brightest
pages, sung by poets and by sages, shall so
sounding down the ages"
In all stations be the hero the humblest
of his class, or be he one over whose brow
the crown Of empire flashes, the desire Of
pure reputation should stir and emulate
his soul to deeds chivalrous as the knights
of olden time, who, wearing their ladies'
names blazoned on their helmets, rushed
into danger for passing smile, "For a
surer name purer name to write upon
the heights of fame"
We all desire certain reputation, but
our desire should be modulated by circum-
stances, lest untoward ambition wrongly
direct us, and we fall into the whirlpool of
evil, instead of safely riding out the storms
of life harbored in calm and pleasant sea.
The desire of reputation is implanted in
all human hearts, there are none so low,
think, but who aspire TO be something
more than they are, who strive to gain a
distinction in their class and among their
associates, whether for brutality, power or
courage. Reputation, like the fragrance Of
the rose, or the poison of the nightshade,
invites, or repells the beholder, It's subtle
influence stealing through our senses, un-
consciously inviting or repelling our con-
hdence. Reputation is as the mariners
compass to the shipwrecked, the polar star
to the lost. As beacon light our reputa-
tlon may warn or guide some poor wan
derer back to the paths of honor and peace.
Then wise letus be in the selection
ofour different paths tho life
Gaining with heavens direction,
Areputation without strife
We may shine as the stars of the morning
Or live unloyed, unknown.
We may be as life flowers adorning.
Or be cold as the senseless stone
for reputation like chain, will bind tn the past
No good, no honor will we gain
II ifdishonor o'er us cast,
Its mountain shadow vast