Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-09-12

Messrs. EDITORS Next to the observance of
religious obligations l conceive SocrABr1rY the
most important link, or consideration, in civiza-
ton, and happiness to mankind and, think, il
may be truly said, that socability is the hondmad
Of virtue, legitimate offspring of iety. Wher-
ever we see a community truly yrtuous paying "A
due observance TO religion and her institutions
there we find socubility In fact, the very spirit
of religion is to "spend and be spent'--to COM
mune with each other--to conlide respect, and
love. And on the other hand the more vicious the
community, the more distant the more malicious
and the least socable are the people Unless we
mix with each other, we always distrust, we have
confidence, in fact do we actually LaotC each
other, to use common expression. We are oil con-
stituted very wisely too, with different natures, and
our feelings and passions are acted upon in differ
ent ways and by different means, and to familiar
ize ourselves with the true character, the peculiar
traits Of men, we must gain confidence and give
confidence, and that can only be done by social us-
tcrcourSe, friendly and Jrotherly meetings. Unless
we confde, we cannot, nor ought we expect to,
gain confidence, and without confidence, we never
can know the true character of any one Sociabil.
ty, properly estimated ard duly appreciated, ia
conneXion with our religion, is the important re-
quisite to this end.
Am mistaken, Messrs. Editors when say that
there is less sociabity in Howard county, than
there ought TO be-ayc, than is in communities
generally possessing the same advantages and
privileges with which we are blessed! Perhaps
am not sufficiently conversant with the manners
and customs here, to properly estimate; but, SO far
as my knowledge and observation extends, think
the citizens of Howard county are more reserved
less acquainted with, and know little of the real
character Of their neiglborS, than any community
was ever in. This evil, however, is not Of long
duration formerly the citizens Of this county, es-
pecially among the younger portion, were noted,
both athome and abroad for their good society, and
sociability but tie present indications strongly
portend to a most melancholy degeneracy, and un-
| less the present indifference is awakened, this
spirit of independence of each other, which is
sure tufOllow apathy, is queed, social Intercourse
will be entirely banished and we shall settle down
into a state Of Independent re>ervedness, giving
food for the sanGcrer, laying foundation for neigh
bUrhoUd quarreIs, and finally family chickering's.
To regain our former character, there is but one
way and that is for the older class Of our citizens
to set an example-et the doors of our farmers,
merchants and mechanics be open to young men,
let them make it pleasure for this class to visit
their houses, and that often. and the leisure hours
the young clerk Or apprentice, or journeyman has
to spare, can be probably spent, instead Of re-
sorting to vicious amusements, the inevitable con-
sequence without.
have been induced to offer these remarks, from
the impressions received at the late splendid en-
tainment given by our worthy county man. Capt
J. T. CLEvG1AYD-the only one of the kind gver
for many months, (and years for ought know in
this county. Parties of this kind more frequently
would very shortly supercedo Balls ard CotillUn
parties, which are always attended with more OF
less OF evil aud unproftabeness. |, for one, an
very glad that Capt C. has set an exa mple worthy
to be followed by our citizens generally Let 9TH
ers in our county initiate this example, and, my
word for it, will have less of bitter feeling true
friendship and more congruous spirits in the daily
circles. C..