The news., 1882-06-15
THEY SAY.

THEY SAY.
Convenient words--important wor ds
in common parlance. They, is to re-
present persons Unfortunately. In
deed it is relative word, its chief
peculiarity consists in the difficulty
we encounter in endeayoring to ascer-
tain, what does and what does not con-
stitute its antecedent. We have
called them convenient words; and
are specially so to the scandal-monger;
who fearing to SANDER on bis own re-
sponsibility, or wishing to confirm his
malicious reports, is sure to commence
his onslaught against his neighbours
reputation with the phrase "they say"
thereby rendering it refuge for lies,
which must otherwise be traced to
himself. He who thus shields him
self by this term, though less defiant
than the open slanderer, is no less per-
nicious.
We are justified in giving credence
to report in proportion to the num-
Der and veracity of the witnesses who
testify; but we are apt to forget per-
son must be personally acquainted
With the fact in order to really be
witness. It frequently occurs that a
number of persons of responsibility
and veracity testify essentially TO the
same thing, but if questioned with re-
gard to the source of their informa-
ton, they are found to have received
it from report, and in tracing the ru-
NOR to its standing point, we find it
originated in the mouth of some evil
disposed person, totally unworthy of
cur confidence. In courts of law
however plausible testimony may ap-
pear, and even against notorious
criminal, if the testi6er has no other
authority for his declaration, than
"they say" it will not be received as
the truth. Yet the innocent are ar
raigned at the tribunal of SANDER, To
answer for what they never committed,
and on a mere on dit are banished
from society, and disinherited of their
social right.
The same Law Giver who has said
"Thou shall not steal" and "Thou
shalt not kill" has also said "Thou
shalt not bear false witness against
thy neighbour" and he who is SO
wicked as to "steal his neighbors rep
utation or, rob him of his good name,"
because the civil law is not subtle
enough to prevent him, would despoil
him of his possessions or remorselessly
thrust a dagger into his heart, did the
same law impose no penalty for rob-
berry and murder. In the sight of
Heaven it is as sinful to rob a man of
his honor as to purloin his wealth.
Well has the poet said
WHO steals my purse, steals trash:
But the who flches from me my good name,
Robs me of that which not enriches him,
But makes me poor indeed"
Look at the SANDERS head and
heart, when all the powers and pas
sions are assembled in "secret con-
clave against innocence and virtue"
See envy exulting insthe prospect of a
neighbors calamity, while pride van
ity and sel6shness combine to consum-
ate the diabolical enterprise. We can
compare person possessed of such a
disposition to nothing but a scorpion,
that waits to sting the unsuspecting
traveller, or the deadly upas, that diff
fuses its fatal poison through the at
mosphere. Diogenes, the Cynic phil
osopher, being asked what beasts the
bite was the most dangerous, immedi-
diately replied. "If Won mean qc;Zd
beasts, Slanderer's, if the tame, the
Flatterer's"
There are many who, unable to ac-
quiFe distinction by their own merits
resort to gossip, and cast aspersions
upon those more worthy than them
selves as a means of procuring motor
iety. And when idle and mischievous
persons, ever on the alert for scandal,
swarm around them, like carrion flies,
attracted by the scent of corruption,