Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-06-11
Society.

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Society was symbolized in the ancient
Procrustes.
Throughout the Past all who were too
large for Society have been compressed into
its domain all who were too small were
tortured TO fill the prescribed limit.
Throughout the Future, unless some The
seus should strangle it, the same tyranny
will be its Characteristic.
Society, like Saturn, swallows its wi
children.
Sometimes one will escape, by chance or
neglect, for a time; but soon or late, the
hemlock must be taken and the cross made
the death bed of an intellectual god.
Society is a compromise between individ-
uals.
True, the majority make the laws, and so
far these would seem to be just.
But the majority are uncultivated, surface
seeing, selfish and illiberal.
Based upon Conformity, Society ignores
Individuality, hugs falsehood to its bosom
from age to age, and scourges whoever dares
to oppose its decree.
One high heart in each millennium, Leoni-
das-like, opposes the errors of Society, and
pays the penalty of its rashness by self
sacrifice.
One large, serene, heroic soul, in every
tenth century, steps out before Society,
braves it, and is crushed.
The minority, for the most part, is ON
posed of saints. q
The majority is composed of the one-eyed
Cyclops, who forge the thunder-bolts that
Society, Jove.like, hurls upon all who refuse
obedience to its fiat. tJ
Public opinion is the Damoclesian sword
which hangs forever over the head of him
whose utterances are not hypocritical, whose
deeds are born of O pure purpose.
Society dictates and, however unjust the
command, the world obeys.
The tears Of its victims fall unnoticed.
Their groans are unheard.
Their signs are UNDECIDED.
Suddenly an earthquake shakes Society to
its foundations.
1t trembles, but does not fall.
Injustice triumphs, and the same tyrant
Expresses the weak; the same poison destroys
the ext martyr Society determines to offer
up at the shrine of its Unsuitable lust for
power. .
Society is cruel in the extreme.
1t thrusts the unfortunate into the street,
and Furnishes them if found there.
1t manufactures crimes and fixes the
penalty therefor.
1t forces individuals to become criminals,
and then Stays them.
1t brushes high hopes; perverts pure
thoughts; metamorphoses saints into sinners;
offers a premium for Hypocrisy, and places
a crown on the brow of Deceit.
1t starves the generous and feeds the mer-
cenary.
1t cheats the trusting and rewards the
suspicious.
1t curses modesty and caresses impudence.
1t apotheosizes body and ridicules spirit.
Its %jaundiced eyes see vice where virtue is,
and, vicious in the speculative degree, it
exults over the ruin it causes.
The poor though noble, the weak though
good, revolve over Society, like Ixion in the
fable over the lake of fire, while the tongues
of the million-mouthed world, Kissing for
ever in their ears, thrust verbal thorns into
their suffering souls.
Society is the mother of Hypocrisy.
When alone, men are candid.
One sincere thought will place the utterer
outside the pale of Society.
Belle thy reason; mask thy face; hide thy
heart; disguise thy nature, and Society will
welcome thee.
Live thine W life; utter thine own be-
lief; sacredly follow the dictates of thine
wi reason; strive earnestly to attain thine
W high ideal, and Society will nail thee to
the cross. ,r
Society is the Paradise only of fools.
1t has beautiful flowers, whose perfume
delights the sense but poisons the soul.
1t has babbIing brooks, whose delicious
murmurings lull the body but sicken the
spirit.
1t has excellent fruits, beautiful to the eye,
but they turn to ashes on the lips.
Be hypocrite, liar, knave or fool, and soft
words will be whispered in thine ears; de-
liciOus odors will into1icate thy mind; beau
tiful landscapes be spread out before thy be-
wildered vision.
Be true, generous, courteous and faithful
to the high impulses of thy heart and the
avenging Liva of Society will drive thee
thence and place the flaming sword of an
implacable hate before the entrance which
will forever prevent thy return. Mill.