Exposition of the conduct and character of Dr. John Augustine Smith : president of the Coll. of Physicians and Surgeons in the City of New-York, and professor of physiology : as exhibited in the session of 1839-40 / by James R. Manley.

  • Manley, James R., 1781-1851.
Date:
1841
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Exposition of the conduct and character of Dr. John Augustine Smith : president of the Coll. of Physicians and Surgeons in the City of New-York, and professor of physiology : as exhibited in the session of 1839-40 / by James R. Manley. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    what more can be required to stamp his character?—only one thing; his apology for the tirade : and in order that it may not be lost, as its preservation may be of use to others in like cases tempted to offend, I will state it. He had just recovered from a serious illness ; had suf- fered much family affliction, and from his own account had had a near prospect of death. This was the reason, publicly stated, why he could not prepare a proper lecture suited to the occasion, and why he pre- sented what would have otherwise been only the peroration of the discourse ! ! ! Such circumstances are calculated to humble the spi- rit and humanize the feelings, although in his case they appear to have had an opposite influence. The task imposed upon me is unpleasant, because the contempt which I feel for the author of my difficulties, may conflict with the duty which I owe to the public ; there is danger that indignation will outstrip discretion, and that I may offend by my manner of treating the subject, not making due allowance for the calm and apathetic temper in which some persons consider all professional controversies. There are those who affect a wondrous degree of prudence on the subject of differences of a personal nature : if their understandings are convinced, they take good care that their opinions shall not be quot- ed ; and if obliged to speak, they deliver themselves in such soft, silky and equivocal terms, as to be with difficulty understood. These peo- ple belong to a class very numerous in all professions, but especially in ours; the calculation of interest is the basis of all their social mo- rals, and they are silly enough to believe that others will give a credit to their kindly feelings of benevolence for that conduct which is alone chargeable to cupidity ; they are prone, however, to take their sta- tions between the lines of the contending parties, and while they refuse to recognize the rights of either, they take good care to make merchandize of both. To such J do not address -this exposition : my appeal is made to men, who to their intelligence, add a sound moral, and to both, the honest confidence which scorns to suppress opinions, when truth and justice demand them. In forming a judgment of the actions of men, two conditions are necessary, to wit, the motives which prompt them and (he character of the results. If the consequences are injurious or disastrous, be the motives never so pure ; the judgment is in fault, and the result libels the good sense of the agent ; he may be very honest, but he is not wise. If the motive be wicked, and the action nevertheless harm- less or even beneficial, it gives evidence of a want of integrity in the agent, which no benefit to result will atone for, or excuse. But if the motive be base, and its consequences productive of no possible good,