Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-01-01
Nj ISC L l. l. A N Y.
SOCIAL AND FAMILY FESTIVALS.
THE AFFECTIONS.

t'rhere life no blessing ike aHection,
IT soo,hes it hallows eevates subdues,
And bringeth down to earth its native heaven"
An ANONYMOUS writer in the columns of New York con-
Temporary, protests against hodays-says "lhey DO no
puod and much harm-,hat "they excite and aga!e with
ont any profitable end" Alas for the seshness, acerbl-
~ and bitterness of poor human nature! Alas fur the
miserable spirit that is annoyed and raed at the happ
ness Of others for the envious and jealous mortal who
whnes grans and grumbles through existence, and who
is ever moody and dsconented when the sun shines and the
world rolls On al joyous bound For ourselves we ad-
vocae 'the greatest good Of the greatest nunlber'-he
"arges liberty" in The elevated ssnse-the "wdes' heId
for enioymen"-"the happiness Of the millions" and es-
peciay conservative mora socal and delightful, we do
regard religious and family sticals- in which the
mercenary nature of man is forgo,en-periods during
which Friendship and Affection rule and gladden. the hour
and thrill the heart with feelings that "once experienced
and enjoyed are never forgotten"
is, therefre, that urge and advocate occasional
meetings Of relations and frendsgalherngs around the
social board and the family residere unions OF husbands
and wives suns and daughters, grand parents and grand
chdren-a who are united together by the fond 'les OF
humanity SOur doctrine that the individual VINO par
cipaies to t largest extent in the enjoyment oil The aec-
ons who is esteemed cherished and loved by the many,
and who in return regards with feelings of friendship at
ec,ion and respect all who look up him in such kim
y spirit is among the happles OF his race lhe oiener
that the opportunes are afforded for Strengthening these
holy ties, and indugng these pure and kindly feelings,
the better for all pares-or those Immediately concerned,
and for society al large, by way of example,
We can conceive Of nothing more truly deighifnl lhan
the reunion once year oener, at some IHANKsGlv-
ING CHRISTMAS or New YEARS Festival, ofa the men,
bers of large fanily-resdenls perhaps Of different villa
ges towns cities or States separated by the commercial
and business objects Of The world aud yet eager embrace
every fitting opportunity unite more, hand to hand
and hear. to heart the hall ofthe old family homestead,
and around the bent firm and the white locks Of the pa
arch of the circle The feelings produced on such an occa
sion cannot but be pure and ennobng lhe recollecons
that flow back the associations that are called into eXs
ence he memories of pleasant scenes and incidents In
early fe the kindly looks the heart warm words, The In
tercbange of sentiments and of feelings who that has en-
ioyed ever can forget them? No 1t is cold and heart
less policy that would make slave tc avarce, that
would cnnne him perpetual toll, that would each MIN
that money! trade power, the ony objects worth living
for that would restrain his affections chill his sympathles
and deaden his heart.
few short years at best and the flame of human exis
tence burns eebly, still feeby, and expires Age
and decrepude steal upon US enough And when
once consigned The grave and lis codness, we are speed
ily frouten While we live then, let us cultivate the
affections Ie us indulge the better, The pure the gen.
ter the finer qualities Of nature Let US endea' 10
win the kindness and regard of Others and to recpoca'e IN
truly generous spirit! Happiness is oilene found 10 'he
social walks Of life than in any other Sire loves 10 ou''o
her aars in the heart and have the affections minister
ed at her temples. She delights in the enjoyment OF oh-
ers and this indeed is her highest felicity 81 1t should
be with mankind. We should strive not only to enJoy
pleasure bu, to npar it. We should take satisfaction In
administering To the purer the oer tastes Of our ie"w
creatures The world is far readily governed by love
than bv far-a least The sucia world and we should profit
bv this truth But it, in the spirit Of the msanthrope, we
90 about complaining, eagerly detecting the evil and over
looking the good prompt in discovering cases OF sorrow but
slow in asceranng sources ooy, we shall not only prove
false 10 our mission and our duty but darken and ember
our own career and canker the bliss and the prosperity o
all who look up to love, respect or depend upon u.s. Cu
vale he aec,ons-encourage pure tastes, social festivals
and family re unions, and thus create exhaustess sources
of genuine pleasure, and only brighten and gladden.
The present. but cheer and ilumine the future-Faae
phia Inquirer