The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-08-15
Covardice and Courage.

There ia nothing go unlovely, hopeless,
and abJect as cowardice. No generous
feeling or noble thought can live 10 its
poisonous shade. The coward is at once
aattering foe and faithess friend. No
grace, no genius, can redeem him from the
scorn of others or the bitterness of self dis
gust. For that ain, even piety has no pallia
ton, charity no cloak.
: As courage 10 the deep consciousness and
pride OF personal power, self reliance is its
beat and most familiar manifestation.
When men fight In q troop, they may be
in doubt how much of their valor Is orig
inal and how much communicated; but
when pne stands alone, and has nothing to
rest upon save the strength of his own ma
ture, his courage becomes as conspicuous
to himself as to the world.
1t mnst be admitted that in the self re.
liant heroes there is a certain self conscious
pride amounting almost to haughtiness,
which mars somewhat the effect of their
nobleness; but we must remember that
pride is born with princes, In reading the
Scottish Chronicles, have been more de-
lighted with one fine act of old King NAL
colin, than with all the famous exploits of
Bruce and Wallace. "The king having
learned" says the chronicle, that one Of
his courtiers had conspired to murder him
during chase, took no notice of it 80 as to
punish the traitor by law; but being one
and taking him TO q remote place from the
rest of the company, said Here is a con-
vehient time and place for thee to do that
like bold man that thou designedst to do
bssely and cowardly. Draw thy sword
then, and If thou canst kill me, being alone
! thou art out of danger of punishment, be-
cause there is nobody to accuse thee >
which words being spoken with an undaunt
ed courage, struck such terror into the in
tended assassin, that he fell down at the
kings feet and humbly begged his pardon !;
which the king granting him, he became q
very serviceable and faithful subject to
the king the whole term of his future
life"
The magnificent courage of B )naparte
was not so conspicuous when he quelled
the Sections, when he charged at the head
of the Old Guard at Lodi, or when he re-
ceived the leurels of AIcola or Marengo, as
when upon his return TO France after his
escape from Elba, in the dark days of his for
tune, he left all his followers, and alone,
with folded arms and quiet step, walked
down to and into the midst of the royal
army sent by the king to spprehend him
as fugitive. AS he approached, many
weapons heavy with death were pointed
at the heart of the superb hero, and frowns
darkened every brow as his eyes swept
their ranks. A moment later, he was ia
their arms; the threatening weapons fell at
his feet, proud smiles replaced the doubtful
IEO"nss anu SHOUTS OF welcome nileu the
air. The French that day would have
been untrue to their chivalrOus character,
if they had not called on their hero to lead
them back TO Paris, crowed with the donors
of his sublimest victory.
Courage is the most splendid, attractive,
and imposing of manly virtues. No droop,
ing plumes'or lowering banner throws so
rare grace over the heroic presence;
no roll of drum or blast of trumpet so stirs
the blood and thrills the heart. And yet it
is not in any respect q SNOWY or holiday
quality. 1t is felt and displayed without
reference to place OF position. The man
Of true courage is always and every where
loyal to his own nature, and would recog-
nize it's claims as readily on desert island,
or if he stood the last inhabttant upon the
earth, as when the eyes of all men were
upon him. His self-respect is more exacting
than his ambition. The poise of his nature
upon the diamond pivot of his honor yields
higher joy than the applause and homage of
the world. Should he forfeit or dethroue
his honorable self-respect at the persuasion
of fame, wealth, love or ease, there is no
possibility of hope or happiness for him
through all his days. The crystal broken,
the pure white rays will enter his soul no
more, forever.-HoR. Robert Cocherdn in
Manhattan Monthly.