The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1888-04-26
SLANDER.

son as that which drips from the
tongue Of the slanderer
The former may be counteracted,
and at the worst brings only tempo
raj death which ends sensation, the
latter fingers to the end of existence
and is living and continual torture
How easy to start SANDER! How
little we think of the hurtful hints
and damaging inuendoes which come
out during an ordinary conversation
How little we reflect on the dimen-
I sions to which they will be magnifed
by repetition.
Our hearts bleed at the suherings
of those whose bod es are destitute
ofcover during the cold winter nights,
but we deliberately uncover reputa-
ton which is intellectually more sensi-
tive, and uncover it to colder, bleak
err night than any which glooms over
the desolation of winter.
The sufierings endured through
the long dark night may pass away
as the sun rises to warm and gladden.
another day; but the freezing power
of evil words is thawed by no morn
| ing beams, and the chilblain of a
blighted character sends its victim
crippled and limping to the end of his
Tourney. "
The charity which protects the
body is brief and of the earth earthly;
the charity which protects reputation
is spiritual, enduring, eternal.
1t is easy TO refrain from express
ions that may be slanderous; so i'm
possible TO kill SANDER once in life.
Evil report goes faster and grows
faster than good report. Good re-
port moves gently along without noise
or demonstration; evil report is ad-
vertised on the streets, and like many
9th 9r advertised things, is advertised
for more than it is worth. Every
Imagination magni6es it and every
mouth puts more to it, until very
small amount of dark matter often
develops into three well grown crows
The man who was seen to take
single drink is heard of at the other
end Of town as confirmed and ruin
ed drunkard; the man who was seen
to mildly chastise his erring child is
heard of as a brutal and unfeeling
father; the man who gives TO tn,
poor out OF his abundance is prepar
ing to beggar his family, and til,
man who withholis from the poor on
account of his necessities is miser
able miser.
Thus it will be seen that there arr
Gains in the brotherhood of man
Gains who mercilessly destroy all OF
life that is worth the living.
Is there no way to prevent this: |
Is there no way to educate publ
opinion to niger sense of duty? l.
there no way to strengthen the laws
which govern speech ?
While every heart and every house
is open to the work of protecting those
who are exposed to the rigors of bleak |
north wind, would not heaven, which
smiles upon such benevolence, smile |
rs approvingly upon an organized |
charity for the protection OF charac.
-er?
Can no association be formed thu
Ill guard the portal OF the lips and
edge criticisms with restrictions
Ike those which govern the introduc-
ion of testimony in court?
MAY no steps be taken to arrest, or
least check, an evil so small ~
irst that it depends for life on sir.
lie breath, aud yet so great at last
hat threatens with remorseless ruiz
the happiness of all who are happ,
md the characters Of all who hav,
,haracter.
Let the press, the pulpit, and the
,ocial circle take up these questions
md repeat them until they are an.
swered.-4Nqnta CapitOl.