57
PAPERS OF MrnAnE.-\U BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
him out, such as honor., integrity, fortitude &c &c In order to dis- cover then where a mans true honor lies, we must not look to any ad- ventitious circumstance such as a victory; which might have been gained by the soldiery; nor to any single sparkling quality, such as oratory; which may be acquired by practice; but to the whole of what forms a man; what entitles him as such, to rank high among that class of beings to which he belongs; in a word we must look to the mind and the soul. A mind superior to fear, to selfish interest and corruption; a mind governed by the principles of uniform rectitude and integrity; the same in prosperity and adversity; which no bribe can seduce, or terror overawe; neither by pleasure melted into effeminacy nor by distress sunk into dejection; such is the mind which forms the distinction and eminen<:'e of men. So much for true honor. Integ-rity is the foundation of all that is high in character among mankind. Other qualities may add to its splendor; but if this essential requisite be wanting, all their lustres fades. Were I drawing the character of one like his Excellency, who claimed the admiration of the world; and after I had ascribed to him eloquence, valor, and every endowment that is most shining and captivating, did I add, as I certainly would be compelled to do in this case, that he was a man of too much art to be trusted; I appeal to every one whether by this single stroke, the whole character would not be sunk and i!egraded? An interested and crafty man as he is may perhaps, rise as he has, into influence and high station ; he may be a rich and a powerful, but will never be a great man He may be feared, as the wild beasts are, and externally honored and courtoo; but in the secret thoughts of men he finds no respect. We all feel that magnanimous sentiments cannot dwell in the same breast with selfishness and deceit. Fortitude was justly classed by the ancient philosophers among the cardinal virtues It is indeed essential to the support of them all ; and is most necessary to be acquired by every one who wishes to discharge with fidelity the duties of his station. It is the armor of the mind, which will fit him for encountering the trials and surmounting the dangers which are likely to occur in the course of his life. Fortitude is opposed as all know, to timidity, irreso- lution, a feeble and wavering, spirit. A corrupt and guilty man, can possess no true fortitude or firmness of heart. He who by crooked paths pursues dishonorable ends as he does has many things to dis- may him. He not only dreads the disappointment of his designs, by some of those accidents to which all are exposed; but he has also to dread, the treachery and reproach of the world and the just displeasure of Heaven. His fears he is obliged to conceal; but while he assumes the appearance of intrepidity before the world, he trembles within himself; and the bold and steady eye of integrity frequently darts terror into his heart When all is sound within there is no occasion to hang out false colors. There is a courageous wisdom: there is also a false reptile prudence, not the result of caution, but of fear. An abject distrust of our selves, an extravagant admiration of the enemy, presents us no hope but a compromise with his pride by a submission to his will This short plan of policy, seems to be, the only counsel that will obtain a hearing with his Excellency. To the designing the sordid and unprincipled; the slightest necessity becomes an invincible necessity. His Excellency says the mexicans may come to Austin and I shall be devoured in the
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