Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-07-15
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BEACON LIGHTS OF HISTORY.

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/ IUnder this heading from time to
time will be published series Of au-
lthenticated extracts dealing with his
torical examples Of the good and bad
/ in human nature, mostly good; but all
furnishing an admirable chart OF con-
lduct to be emulated or avoided1:
MAGNANIMITY.
D Sentiments. -'.h
| Magnamanity is sufficiently defined
by it's name, yet We may say OF "
that 1t is the good sense OF pride anu
the noblest way of acquiring applause.
It renders soul superior to the trouble.
disorder and emotion which the ap-
Ipearance Of great danger might ex-
cite, and 1t is by this quality that he
| roes maintain their tranquility ana
preserve the free use of their reason
in the most surprising and dreadful
accidents. l.,
It admires the same quality in Its
enemy. and fame, glory, conquest de-
sire of opportunities to pardon and
oblige their oppressers, are what glow,
In the minds of the brave. Magnani-
nifty and courage are inseparable.
/ Examples.
The inhabitants Of Privernum being
subdued and taken prisoners after a
I.revolt, one of them being asked by
the Roman senator. who was for put
ting them all to death, what punish
ment he and his fellow captives de-
served, answered with great interpid-
ity: 1--WE deserve that punishemnt
which is due to men who are Jealous
| of their liberty, and think themselves
worthy of It." Plautinius. perceiving
that his answer exasperated some OF
the senator's, endeavored to prevent
| i'll effects Of 1t by putting q milder
question to the prisoner: HOW
would you behave" says he. IF Rome
depends upon you," replied the gen.
erous captive. IF the place you grant
| be an honorable one, you may depend
on a constant fidelity on our part; IL
| the terms of it be hard and dishonor-
able, lay no stress on, our adherence
to YOU" Some OF the judges construed
these words as menaces; but the
wiser part finding in them a great
deal of magnanimity, cried out "a
nation whose only desire was liberty.
and their only fear that Of losing 1t,
is worthy to become Roman" Ac-
cordingly a decree passed, In favor Of
the prisoners, and Privernum was de-
clared a municipum. Thus the bold
sincerity Of one man saved his coun-
try. and gained it the privilege Of be-
ing incorporated into the Roman state.
f-Liv. lib. viii. C. 10, 21. 4
There were many fine traits In the
character Of Philip Of Macedonia. 1t
is related of him that on one occasion
a poor woman against whom he had
Just decided q cause when under the
influence Of wine, exclaimed, II ap-
peal!" ITO whom?" asked Philip.
ITO Philip in his sober senses!" re-
piled the woman firmly. The king,
struck with this answer, examined the
affair again, and finding his former
decision unjust, made ample reparation
at his own expense.
While Athens was governed by the
thirty tyrants, Socrates, the philoso-
pher, was summoned to- the senate
house, and ordered to go with some
other persons whom they named, to
seize Leon. man Of rank and for
tune, whom they determined to put
out Of the way, that they might enjoy
his estate. This commission Socrates
fatty refused, and not satisfied there
with, added his reasons for such re-
fusal: II will never willingly" said
he, assist an unjust act" Chericles
sharply replied, "Dost thou think,
Socrates, to talk always in this high
style, and not to suffer-" Far from
it," added he. II expect to suffer a
thousand ills, but none SO great as to
do injustice" Of Socrates. !
Alexander the Great having totally
defeated the numerous army Of Porus,
an Indian prince Of great courage and
prudence, desired to see him. After
much entreaty, Porus consented, and
accordingly set forward. Alexander,
who had been told of his coming,
moved forward, in order to receive
him with some of his train. Being
come pretty near. Alexander stopped
purposely to take a view Of his noble
mien, ne being much above the COM
mon height. (Some historians say
he was seven feet and a half in
at his misfortune but came up with
a resolute countenance like a valiant
warrior, whose courage in defending
his dominions ought to acquire him
the esteem Of the brave prince who
had taken him prisoner. Alexander
spoke first, and with an august and
gracious air, asked him how he de-
sired to be treated. Like a king"
replied Porus. But" continued
Alexander, do you ask nothing
more?" NO." replied Porus, "all
things are included in that single
word" Alexander, struck with this
greatness Of soul, the magnanimity Of
which seemed heightened by distress,
did not only restore him his kingdom.
but annexed other provinces to it. and
treated him with the highest testi-
monials of honor, esteem and friend
ship. Porus was faithful to him till
his death. 1t is hard TO say whether
the victor or the vanquished best de-
served praise on this occasion.
When the Scythian ambassadors
awaited on Alexander the Great, they
gazed attentively upon him for long
time without speaking a word. being
very probably, surprised Gas they
formed a Judgment Of men from their
air and stature) to find that his did
not answer the high idea they enter
tanned Of him from his fame. At
last the oldest Of the ambassadors
addressed him thus: Had the gods
given thee a body proportionable to
thy ambition, the whole universe