Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1858-04-16
NKIGHBoRLY DUTIES.

Man was made tor society. Alone he
cannot exist for any of the purposes of u
rational existence. Mutual dependence is
condition of our being. "God never made
solitary man." Circumstanced as we are
in society, 1t is one of the first duties of eye-
sy house-keeper to show himself good
neighbor. This is to be done by cultivating
peaceable and obliging spirit. He should
not envy the prosperity of his fellows, nor
rejoice in their misfortunes. He should nei-
ther watch for their halting or take pleasure
in divulging their faults. He should regard
their reputation 18th an honorable Jealousy
ard defend them against the aspersions
which envy and malice would bring upon
their fame. He should not suffer the path
between MS door andth OF his neighbor to
become obliterated by neglect TO travel in
it; but should cultivate and keep up friend.
ly, social intercourse. His conversation
should be chasle and interesting, insomuch
that every member of his neighbours house
hold will take joy on his entrance into the
dwelling. In sickness, he should repair
with promptness to the call of distress, and
show himself ready by night or day to miti-
gate the pains and solace the mind Of the
sufferer. A few kindly attentions at such
season create an impression that secure an
abiding friendship even in the frmess days
of after. health aud the sunniest hours of
prosperity. Live without borrowing as far
as possible; but be ever ready to lend-es-
peciaIly 70 those who promptly return the ar
ticle wanted. NEEDLE not with other men 5
affairs. Mind you own business, and let 9th
ers alone. Obtrude not your advice when
Il is not called for; but good counsel, given
III faIthfulness and in season, may be some
times necessary. When offered let it be
rendered in the spirit of hu mility, and it may
oftimes be worth more to a neighbor than
any external favors. He who who fails TO
warn neighbor OF danger to which he is
being exposed, whether it be moral, a
pecuniary or physical danger, is unfaithiul
TO duty and cannot truly be called good
neighbor.
Where neighborhood is constituted of
people who are guided by the principle which
runs through the course OF duties above sug-
eested, the state of society is desirable in
the highest human estimate. 1t is prIvl-
iege to have ones lot cast in such commu-
Bily The prosperity of one is the JOY OF
all; and the misfortune and misery Of any
individual is a grief to the rest. Happy con-
dition And this may be the condition of
every neighborhood in our land, if each one
would realize and perform the duties which
devoive upon him as member of society
Shall it be so! If not ask thyself how
far thy own temper AMI conduct have con-
tributed, or may contribute, TO make it other
wise. It is not expected that all men will
think alike in matters of politics, religion
and other coniroverted points any more than
that they will all look alike. To make a
good neighbor tolerant spirit should be in
duiged. He who refuses to associate with
or befriend another because he does not a.
gree with him in many matters of opinion, is
no: only unreasonable himself bu he is in
fiieting, by his example, an injury upon the
kind feelings of society, for the commission
of which he cannot be held irresponsible
or gultless. Another thing: Suffer nc
fpctious distinctions, founded on property
or family rather than upon virtue or intel
lgence, to spring up in a neighborhood. -
Political aristocracy is bad enough, but So
-cial aristocracy is still worse; because this
comes nearer home to mems business and
bosoms, and in this way ladies, as well as men
are prone sometimes to be aristocrats.-
When such distinctions exist there is an end
to all fellow feeling and kind intercourse.
Jealousies are stirred-up, enmity follows; anc
then rank and open hostility and warefare
are the order of the day. Keep all socia
aristocracy out of every neighborhood. Le
the only rule Of preferment be virtue at the
top and vice at the bottom of the scale o
honor. Act upon this principle and you vii
soon see truly republican state of thing;
in our land--a condition that never will bt
attained as long as wealth and family are
allowed to rank agnins. honest merit.
A good neighbor will be indulgent. HI
will forebear as long as forbearance is vir
tue If to oblige another he suffers SOM
personal sacrifice, he will make no complain
but esteem it privilege to do SO. Doubt
less in every neighborhood there will be eau
ses of difference, and occasions OF com
plant arise: but as often as they do kind
hearted man will seek to heal that differenc
and stifie that complaint for the sake of gen
eral peace and confidence.
In the West-settled as the country is
we are all thrown into society, and situate
undere circumstances that requir an after
ton to the laws of good neighborhood. w
fear those laws are Too little regarded in man
places And VIE have written this article
call attention to the subject, in the hope ths
as all viii! perceive the benefits, all will ais
be- induced TO perform the Offices which cor
sttute the blessedness of social good will an
neiphborly kindness. Rural Intellioescer.