The native American., 1840-03-21

ted second, and finally third. In these,
they were all equally interested, and, what is
remarkable, each individual took from the
Sc "rh' establishments whatever articles he
desired Tor himself atd his family, and Of
fhese no accoErt whatever was made. There
was no regulation OF restraint to prevent one
nom taking more tam another. Each sup
piled his family and his household, without
question, aud without accountability. This
SYSTEM was pursued inr thirty years, and these
five brothers Went on in harmony. They
had no .a'n!ly jar, noenvious strife no sqlab-
'les about property. At length, they were
advanced in years. and the joint estate having
Increased 20 a large a.nount, they thought
,cst 10 divide it, and the division was effected
n perttcl a.nily. Each individual received
nr hi, share nearly one hundred thousand
! ..,!lars. ".-
Can you tell me the charm by which peace
and harmony were preserved among these
five families fer so long a period, and under
circumstances so likely to beget suspicion or
iealousy? Yon will perhaps suggest that
they were governed by religious principle
No; they were not religious, but worldly men
Yon viii perhaps say that they were high-min-
dcd aud generous. No; in their ordinary
dealings with others, they were sharp and
yraspiny as their neighbors. What then was
the secret? have myself been in the fami-
lies of these individuals, and marked their in
tercourse. could observe but one pecuari-
ty, and that was very striking. They were
strictly and punctiliously polite to each other.
|Ihey never met in the morning but there was
4 shaking of hands and cheerful sautations.
They never parted at evening but with kind
|"good night" There was evidently mutual
feeling of respect and good will pervading
them all, and their habitnal observance of the
rules of poitencss prevented their harmony
from being disturbed. Polteness, then, per-
formed an Office, and wrought benefits in this
family, Which no other power or principle in
society is accustomed to achieve.
Let me remark again, that | do not now use
the word pollteness in that narrow sense which
restricts it to merely artificial and arbitrary
rules Of society. speak Of it as principle,
founded on just morality, and leading to deli
cate propriety of action towards others. |
mean by it an habitual regard to the feelings
of others, founded on a conviction that we
: have no more right to wound the heart than
to stab the body, aud that it is alike our duty
g and our interest to make our manners grateful
$ to those around us. Let this be once in
wrought upon childhood let the child learn
2 tn Sc prc.'epts at tn, Preside: let them be en-
,melItd upon the mind hya mothers emphatic
teaching, hy fathers omnpotent example
I Let them be rendered dear by the sweet MEM
I or,, IF lvno. Let them be rendered familiar
$ in the fond fell ,wship between brothers and
sisters. Having done this for your child, let
him 60 forth INTO tie world, aud he will carve
I!ls way 10 Success. His kindly aud gracious
rHE,l.rs viii win him easy access to the hearts
Of men He carries with him a magic key,
4. w, ich will unlock every door which lnterpo-
SeH between him and fortune.