New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-02-20

tho body, and often leading to seBsusItJ wee, and
RIGHTEOUSNESS. II is only in true social order
that they can fulfill their highest functions, inter
pretpg the design of the Creator in regard TO mans
relations with the material universe, and impeu M
him 70 subdue and cultivate the globe as a & the,
ter for the growth and perfection OF the spiritual
nature which Is the supreme glory OF his being.
Passing now to the consideration of the four So
cal or spiritual passions, We find that they perform
functions IN the social world os rus to the func-
lions which the sen,es perform in the material
world They are the means Of sympathetic CON-
nupicntion between souls, a. the SENSES are the
meaDs of communication between the soul and
matter. They establish the unity of man with
man, a. the senses esfsb ish the unity Of man with
nature. They Inpel him TO fulfill his soci.l des-
tiny on earth, as the senses impel him TO fulfill his
industrial destiny. Considered as a whole, the go
cia passions are the foundation of the love OF man
in general, of interest in the great collective being
which ihhabits the planet, and variously called
mankind, humanity. the human race. Resolved
Iuto their constituent elements, they comprise the
four primary loves or modes of sympathy, which
have been before named as friendship, love, am
bitiOD, and the parental sentiment These four
affections govern the four primary modes of social
relations between human beings, as the five senses
govern the five primary departments in the material
world.
The first of these passions, friendship, regards
human beings merely as individuals of the same
specits without reference TO distinctions of age SEX
rank, color, or fortune, and regulates their inter-
course on the basis of equality. 1t associates them
as friends, comrades, companions, equals, leveling
for the time all distinctions Of rank AID establish
ing between them the tone of familiarity and
fraternity. The most general of the four social pas
lions, it is the most Independent of external differ
eDces, and promotes frankness candor, sincerity.
cordially beneyoleDce, and charitsbeness in the
atOns of men.
The second social passion, love, presides over
the relations between the sexes. IL attracts per-
sons of opposite Eek to each other, and associates
them by spititusl and material ties, thus establish
ing the unity of the male and female principles in
the race. In lis normal development, it inspires
Difference, devotion, Admiration, on the part OF the
stronger for the weaker sex, subOrdlna,es the prn
ciple Of force to that Of sympathy, throws a ro-
mantle charm O7er the social relations, fills the
,oul with enthusiasm, and thus neutralzes the sell
fish tendency Of the senses and the cold calculations
of reason. In its perverted and abnormal action,
it is the source of innuInerabe evils, az the e1-
perieDce Of society in every age will testify.
The third social passion, which in the nomeDcla-
tue under consideration is termed ambition, pre-
sides over the relations of men in their united aud
corporate capacity, a. colleagues and coworkers
engaged in the prosecution of the various depart
ments of il dustry, art and science. 1t associates
individuals together who have common purpose
in yew and excites them to the realization of their
plane, by mutual competition, and the desire Of
mutual approval. 1t establishes the distinctions Of
rank and merit in human relations, friendship
establishes fraternity, equality and compaDonshp.
The action of ambition, accordingly, is the reverse
of that of friendship, and the operation of these
contrasted influences is an essential condition OF
social harmony.
The fourth social passion is parentalism, or the
family sentiment, regulating the relations of pa
rents and children, and in its more general action,
of the old and the young, the strong and the weak
and forming the protective, guardian, tutelary SEN
tinent.
All the forms of social relations which can exist
among human beings, all modes OF intercourse be-
tween them are but branches of some one of these
four cardnslrelstOns aud presided over and regu
lated by the four social passions Each of these pas
soDs, it should be borne 10 mind by all who desire
to comprehend the system, is liable to false and
subversive development. The antagonistic rela-
tions which abound in the present state of society,
grow out of the pervtrsion of the natural or har-
moDious relations. This is the source Of tho con-
fict Of plans and interests which disturbs the har
mony of human relations, and eDgenders antpathes,
disappointment and spair. The tyraAt, for ex-
,mpe, who Expresses his subjects for his own ag-
grandizement is governed by false or perverted sm-
bition The calumniator who ISLANDERS and Injuries
bis fellow man, is governed by inverse friendship
or friendship perverted in its action. All forms OF
hatred and cruelty are but diversions OF true and
noble natural sentiments. Thus antipathy is the
inversion of sympathy, mssnhropy of philan-
thropy, msevoence of beneyOence, jeaousy Of
cobfdt nee calumpy of charity, baseDess OF dignity,
aud so Oh through The whole scale of the develop
nents of the passions in their direct and inverse,
their harmonious and discordant action. The direct
and harmonious sentiments are the Spontaneous &C
tion of the soul under influences favorable tO their
development, just respiration digestion and the
circulation of the blood the spontaneous action
of the body under influences favorable to their do
yelopmeDt but in both cases the true and natural
action may be thwarted by false and unnatural cir
eum.tsDces.