The Irish standard., 1895-01-26

and will undoubtedly be passed. Sena-
tor Mills certainly deserves credit for his
impartial treatment of all classes OF our
citizens.
THE EVIL OF SUSPICION.
One of the Great Blessings Frank, Free,
Hopeful Nature.
There are few greater blessings than a
frank, free and optimistic nature. To
look naturally upon the bright side OF life,
and the good qualities of those around
us, and to be little dull in detecting
the clouds of the ono and the defects OF
the other, are precious gifts which can
not be too highly priced. 1t some loss is
implied in not knowing the whole OF life
it is certainly only concerning that part
which is least worth knowing or emphs-
sizing, and which will always tend to d.
minish under little wholesome neglect.
II some danger is involved in not being
always prepared to meet the inevitable
ills Of life, it is far more than compen-
stated by the freedom from the anticipa-
ton OF a Thousand evils that exists only
in the imagination. Pessimism, on the
contrary, is the foe Of truth as we'll as
happiness. Seeing whatever is dark,
gloomy, sorrowful and harmful, it is
blind to the brighter, better, larger part
Nof life, and while exaggerating and in
creaslng the former by it's emphasis, it
actually brushes and lessons the, latter to
the extent of It's influence.
One of the chief elements in pessimism
is suspicion. The man always on the
watch for faults in his neighbors and
friends, will be sure to find plenty Of real
ones; but the play of his fancy, taking
the same course, will conjure up multi
tude of others that do not exist. He
views their conduct with distrust, and is
always disposed to attribute unworthy
motives, even where the actions are
above criticism. Especially in their re-
lations to himself is he apt to imagine
the worse instead OF the best. Instead
of taking for granted that they are well
disposed towards him, he rather expects
that they will slight aud neglect him,
and in this frame of mind, nothing is
easier than to fancy all manner of diere
speot and affronts, where none were
thought of.
The amount of evil thus produced is
quite incalculable. The suspicious man
is never happy one. However forum
ate may be his circumstances, there is
always a worm gnawing at the root.
Fearful and timid, his morbid conjec
lures lay hold of him aud poison his daily
lite. There Is curious mixture of self
depreciation and vanity in such one
On the one hand, he is self. onscious,
desiring the good opinion of others, and
often exaggerating his own deserts. He
cannot easily throw himself into other
interests and forget his own personality
in any enthusiasm, nor IS he willing that
it should be forgotten by others. Ga
other hand, he is lacking in that self re-
spect which would make him independ.
ent of criticism. He cannot believe that
he is unknown or unnoticed, which, in
our thronged and busy life, is very apt
to be the case, yet he is ever ready to
surmise that he is the object Of blame,
or sarcasm, or detraction. Naturally his
manner cannot be cordial or frank, and
he repels his acquaintances and loses his
friends. They cannot stand the strain
of being always suspected, and retire,
thus confirming his suspicious and 10.
creasing his misery.
Nor is his influence upon others any
more cheering. To be suspected Of mo-
tives which we soorn, of feelings which
we despise, and of conduct to which we
would not stoop, is both painful and OK
asperating, and it takes very patient
and long-suffering disposition to bear it
in silence, or make allowance for the
morbid fancies which have caused it. A
host OF evil passions are stirred up OY
the suspicious nature-anger jealousy,
revenge, contempt, malevolence; reputa-
tions are damaged, friendships broken,
domestic happiness banished, social har-
mony destroyed, life embittered. Who
that once realized these baneful effects
can be willing still to harbor suspicionin
his bosom? It is doubtless no easy task
to Danish them, when they have gained .
firm footing, yet, if the will is on the side
Of reason, much may be done toward it.
There is nothing better calculated to
clear them from the mind than to Guilt
vate habit Of frank sincerity. They
thrive in an atmosphere of secrecy, but
die in the clear air Of open and straight
forward candor. To go to the party sus-
pected and communicate suspicion