The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-08-17
Mans Dependence upon Man.

If we study the history OF man, ss record
ed in sacred and profane writings, or if
ponder over those exhibitions of his differ
ent degrees Of civilization or barbarism which
the world now affords, the truth Is most en-
phatically exhibited, that just in proportion
as he assumes the habits Of civilized life: so
must he, TO obtain The required comforts, So
licit the assistance of the useful arts. The
wants of the savage are few, but these of the
civilized man are innumerable. Man has
been called the creature Of wants; for what
ever his state, his mind cannot remain IN n
condition of inactivity. Yet when wild and
untutored, the qualification of his appetites
calls into action the powers Of his mind and
body. But as he progresses towards civiliza-
ton, other wants call for the exercise of 9TH
er faculties. Clothes are now considered IN
dispensable to comfort and decency-houses
must be reared of more noble appearance
than the hu is Of his past dwelling. His
mind expands under the influence Of civiliza-
ton, and his pursuits are not Of that selfish
nature which formerly characterized man.
His nature buds blossoms, and he becomes
n new creature. He now unites himself to
his family, and becoming more dependent up
on others, forms friendships, and in the bonds
Of community, secures protection and assist
ance. Now it is his interest to direct his at
tention to a single pursuit, that he may ex-
change the products of his labor for those Of
other men, who are engaged in their sepa-
rate departments. Thus Improvement daily
stretches forward with rapid strides. Each
man lends the powers Of mind and body to
his pursuit To lessen labor, and perfect his
works. arc objects which call into exercise
invention.
Such has been the rise Of nation after ma
ton. So they progressed in ages by gone, SO
do they now, and SO must they in time to
come. There is but the one path which, in
this respect, every people mdst tread. There
is no golden path to heaven, nor is there one
TO Civilization. When civilized, man finds
that there are many arts almost necessary to
his existence. The daily routine of his life
to he made comfortable, calls for the products
of various branches of industry. He is now
dependent not only on nature for the breath
of life, but on man, for what he supposes Con-
tributes TO that LIES happiness. Upon what
classes does be most depend? On Mechan-
les! Yes, whatever his station, his business,
his genius, OH the Mechanic must he throw
himself to hide even his nakedness, or TO Sc
cure his most ordinary comforts. Ay. he gets
his very bread, his means Of supporting life,
either directly or indirectly, from the mechan-
ic. We are all depending on each other,
and as far as dependence goes, no one man
is above another. The greater an indvidu-
ais income, the more wide spread his depen-
dencc on his fellow mortals. Like the mind
expanding under Religion, the more it drinks
OF that pure spirit, the deeper is felt lis utter
dependence uron saving hand. AS is tie
progress OF civilization, so is mans wants
and as the increase Of his wants, in like pro-
portion is his dependence upon his fellow men
Luxuries take the place of necessities, and
man calls upon man TO exchange as ever
products for products. So we 60. Man
may be ranked above brutes though made by
the same hand-but man over fellow man
never.