Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-02-09
LIBEL AND ISLANDER.


l. The truth is stronger than lie
and will always conquer in iair fight
He who relies upon the truth need not
worry about the result of the conflict
He has only to be true to the truth
and TO himself and go straight forward
in his work, turning neither to the
right hand nor TO the left, TO follow any
"barking dog" and time will surely
bring his vindication. "All things
come in time to them that know how
to wait" Ha
2. Calumny is an almost certain pen.
atty of marked success. 1t is the voice
of the "revenge that dwclls in little
minds II is the outlet of bafflcd
wrong 1t is the return of ingratitudc
for favors received, and which there is
not the manliness to acknowledge. Ii
is the base and cowardly refuge and
hatred, malice, envy and ill-will. Hence
those who aspire to any cminence
should as much expect to meet with
calumny as a sailor on the great sea
should be prepared for storms. They
try the strength Of the ship, but il well
built and well managed they rarely
break it. The assault should only
quicken the faculties, rouse the cour.
age and strengthen the hand. II is a
proof that the "cvil things that hate
to look on happiness find an obstacle
in their way, and their cnmity is high
est praise. nsw~ ~uv. ~ ~v-.,
3. No good man win willingly speak
evil Of another. IF circumstances will
compel him TO accuse, he will show
that he does so reluctantly, and for the
sake of justice, and that he scorns the
thought of selfgratifcation in such an
act. If therefore, any accusation up.
pears to be grounded in a mean, wan
ton or malignant spirit; If the occasion
to make II appear to be sought; if the
accuscr speak not to the face of the
accused, but behind his back, then II
may be set down as certain that at
least the truth is distorted, and that,
in all probability, it is corruptly falsi-
fed. For where q rcyengcful and ma
lignant spirit is, there the truth cannot
dwell. The angel will not abide with
the demon. The common perception
of this fact is the reason why ISLANDERS
are so little credited ana do 30 little
harm.
4. The best safeguards against libel
and SANDER area clean character and
a circumspcct behavior.
That thou mayst njure no man, doye.like be,
And scrpent-likc, that none may njure thee.
In the presence of an enemy be on
your guard, and while devoutly trust
ing in God, keep your powder dry !"
The light and power Of a Just life will
shine through the cloud OF slander
and dispel II. A habitually careful
conduct will naturally secure the pres
cnt and provide for the dangers of the
future. "Tbe truth is always consist
ent with everything true; while error
is inconsistent, alike with the truth and
with itself" Hence, he who acts cor
rcctly from day to day need never fear
what the future may bring forth.
B. Sometimes circumstances seem TO
be against the innocent, but tho limo.
cent need never despair, The truth is
somewhere in the circumstances, how.
ever deeply hidden, and will surely
come TO the hight, il carefully and pa
ticntly pursued. Never take false
step for the purpose OF avoiding an ap.
parcntly unfayorabc circumstance
Trust the truth, and IL will bring you
safely ont of the wilderness.
6. Never condemn any one without
hearing his defence. Never believe an
improbable story on the testimony of
an interested or prcjudiccd witness.
Always regard good reputation as
stronger than the testimony Of any
such witness or witnesses. Never be.
licvc that n person whom you have
known as honest, just ard trustworthy
has been the contrary, without proofs
and confirmation as strong as Holy
Writ" Righteousness and. iniquity
can no more dwell In the same heart
than the lamb and the wolf can live in
the. same told lie who is willfully
uniaithful TO one is not faithful TO 9th.
crs At heart he must be essentially
"all one thing or all the other"
T. There may be cases of libel so
malignant as to warrant and demand
criminal prosecution, but very rarely
indeed does case arise which can
warrant civil suit for the recovery of
compensation in money. Where the
damage dono by a libel or SANDER is
in its nature pecuniary, q pecuniary
satisfaction may we'll be sought, but
the refined mind naturally rcvolts from
seeking such o cnre for wounded honor
or violated peace. For such wrongs
justice demands swiiter and heavier
rctribu.ion.
8. A statement may ut tho same
time be verbally true and substantially
false. Words may be uttered, or an
act done, in such a'manncr and under
such circumstances as TO be wholly
free from any objection. The same act
may be described, or the words repeal
ed In such manner, with such change
Of tone, emphasis and infection; with
such omissions of qualifying circum-
stances as 10 wholly change the Char.
ncter and effect Of the Get O. Words,