“Nothing extenuate—nor sit down aught in malice”

I have often been at a loss to account for the great propensity which exists in the minds of men to censure one another. How many good actions may be performed by a man, which probably are never known or at least never spoken of by persons residing under the same roof: and yet should that man inadvertently commit an inconsistent action how soon would it be known to the whole world but in that exaggerated form that a person who might have known or seen the action originally would scarcely observe the least similarity between them.—It is quite proverbial that Report is a many-tongued Monster & doubtless much mischief results to society from the disposition there is among mankind to exaggerate whatever they may relate as having seen or heard.

But even this inconsistent as it may be is an impropriety trivial indeed in comparison with willfully and uncharitably censuring and criticising the conduct of all who do not see as exactly as they see or whose ideas and actions do not correspond with their own. But the most detestable part of the criticism of these odious critics is the base insinuations with which they attack worthy and laudable characters. Insinuations are always worse than a direct charge. But whenever some worthy individual is mentioned as having deserved well of his country or as being very charitable and serviceable to his neighbours, we invariably hear some expression of this kind from those sapient critics, “He is no better than he should be” or “The public do not know all they should know” thus insinuating there is something concealed which if known would stain his character. We generally find however that these creatures are seldom able with all their ingenuity to do any serious injury to the objects of their envy. They may indeed succeed in exciting doubts and fears which will float for a time in the minds of some, but must soon sink into oblivion for want of facts to support them. Let then the honest and virtuous continue to walk in that path of rectitude which they deem to be right, and they will possess that which cannot be attained by their enemies, a mind happy, quiet and serene.