The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-03-26
Calunlny.

In this world of ours, thousands
thoughtlessly lie sleeping iu careless
serenity, little concerned about the ca,
lumniator's poison. Relying upon the
liberty Of a free conscience, anl rep0s,
ing IN tie fancied security of personal
integrity, they slumber on, as If invul-
nerable to calumny's stroke.
=" Be thou chaste as ice, pure as snow,
And yet thou shalt not escape calumny.'
So said the great painter of human
thoughts and feelings three centuries
ago-so echoes many blighted hearts
and scores OF desoiate hearths send the
echo back. Give the caIumniator o
thread of news-no matter how light,
fragile, or unsu bstantial-and, by skill
full, plant manipulation, the thread, by
cunning legerdemain, is soon dexter
ously transformed into vast cable of
slander In this age of reformation,
our walls of wrath and Indignation are
too often poured out upon dead issues.
We load our guns and fire at tomb,
stones. and real, living, vital matters
are held in allegiance until more con-
Venient season. The sacred pulpit is
too much devoted to discussions of alb.
struse doctrine, while the evils of the
human heart are but too seldom touched.
The ministers, who should stand forth
and illuminate their condemnation of
these inward passions of envy, jealousy,
hate, calumny, &C., are often too much
engrossed by the thought of uttering
something strongly polemicaI or sweet
and sugary.
If there's one thing above another
truly satanic, it is calumny. A fiend,
far worse than he who steals your purse.
is one who strives to rob you of repu-
tation. The homicide who, in fit of
anger, jealousy, or rage, hurls his vic
tim into premature grave, is far more
excusable than the cool, systematic
persevering assailant of character and
fair fame. And who are the victims of
these I" calumnious snakes? Not the
hbertine, for no charge against him
would be accounted calumny not the |
rogue, swindler, or any disreputable
parsonage. Oh, no calumny has a |
higher mark. The pure shaft of limo
cence rearing its virtuous head heaven
ward is the thing upon which calumny |
strives to throw the garbage of slander. |
IT'S the young man Of promise, or
talent, or popularity, who presents a
mark for these shafts. The young lady
of attraction-of beauty-stands forth |
q fair target for calumny. Not the dis
solute, but. the pure, are the ones at
whom the calnmniator- ofttimes with
William Tell preeision-lets fly the ar
row of SANDER and many prosecuted
wife, pure daughter, upright son, proud
parent, are, by SANDERS agency, sent
through life, or rather hurried through
his existence, with hearts bowed
lown by weight of woe."
Were each individual of the forty odd
millions of our people the possessor of
otentor's voice ten times magnifed, and
1T some set hour, or minute, all would
exercise their vocal power in @ con-
lemnatory shout of calumny, the effect
you'd be none too great to give expires.
ion to what should be intense abhor.
ence of this nipping, frosty evil. This
'ocal power we do not possess, nor, as a
lation, can we, as in one voice, cry
Iown this evil but as individuals we
an, and should, draw the bow of our
ondemuation, and "shoot" calumny
as it flies"