The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1862-06-24
The Power Of Association.
q. II. PRATT.

oS"esy "ou ioSeeiS sneM W suo ntnu. Dy
it man learns to love those things which are
interviewer With bis daily life. Thus, amid
the regions Of the North, where win or rules
almost supreme, and the music Of birds and
the odor Of flowers are unknown; upon whose
pipnacles Of ice and snow, for half the year,
the sun forgets to look, and whose dreariness
is only lighted by the pale moon, with it's at
tepdant stars, and the bright Aashings of the
northern lights; in the vast plains Of the sun
ny South, where flowers, constantly blossom.
iug, shed their fragrance on the air. and bright
birds sing their sweetest songs; on tie islands
Of the ocean, whose 81 ores are washed bv the
ripping waves, filing their groves with
mournful melody; everywhere ,ha. man ex-
lists, we find him contemplating with delight
his native land, and recognizing as beautiful
the obj 'cts which are associated with bis life
No wind is 30 pure as that which comes from
ones native bills, or sweeps over the plain
where be sported in boyhood. No sun 80
bright as that whose first smile of morning
shines through the window Of bis cbildhood's q
home, and whose last glance rests upon the
naples which shadow the door. Even the
stars seem to put on more tender look, as
they gaze on his home. and the cold smile Of
the moon to be tempered with sofiness. The
house where his youth was passed is radiant
with beautiful associations. Here he learned
10 lisp the name Of mother, that mother who
loved him with love that was almost God.
like; who watched over bis infarcy, and
taught him with folded hands and an humble
heart to say, "Our Father who art in Heav.
on;' who counted no sacrifice too great when
made for him, but cheefully labored that lie
might not want. and watched through the
long night that he might sleep. She grew
weary Of wandering over life's rough road
and lay down to rest. Here gentle sister
met him with loving smile and tender
greeting, but her Saviour called and she babe
him farewell Here, too, father encourage
him in bis youthful pursuits, and kind broth.
ers joined with him in merry games, but they
are now far distant, aud decay has seiz d the
old house for its prey, yet its rooms. 80 silent
and gloomy, are filed with pleasant memories
which shed halo over all, making it beauti
ful indeed 10 him. Ado to these sssoca.
tions, come the rays Of glory reflected from his
nations past, ard all centering in his mind'
cause the love Of country to burn with intense
heat, whose fame no absence can dim, no tyr.
amy stile, and naugbt but death exlinguish
The smallest circumstance is sufficient to
awaken and call forth all these associations
1t needs but the echo Of the Marseilles to
arouse all France, cause the heart Of the ma
tion to beat responsive TO the tones Of liberty,
and the ediice Of tyranny to fall. Let the
strains Of "God Save the Queen fall upon the
ear Of an Englishman, and instantly, from ev.
cry battle field where bis forefatbers fought,
come thropging the memories Of their gallant
achievements, and his heart is filed and AMI
mated with patriotism. Our own national
eougs send the blood bounding through orr
veins, and stir our souls with their magic pow.
er till we are ready and eager to devote our
lives to our country's service. Not only may
a small object call forth such great and va.
red associations, but our love for it is in pro.
portion to the memories thus awakened.
A faded tress OF hair which once shaded
the brow Of a loved friend, who now sleeps
quietly in the churcbyard, calls to remem.
braucc a thousand pleasing recollectons, and
we seem again to behold him. not pale and
lifeless as we last saw him, but in all the glo.
~ Of bis manhood, his countenance glowing
with beauty and his lips parted with smile,
while the well known tones of bis voice ring
in our ears till it seems as though the soul OF
the departed one is lingering in tie simple to.
ken, and we regard it with love and venera
ton.
Gazing on th" tomb Of Washington, We
see not simply the mound where his ashes
rest, but bis whole life in all its grandeur and
purity, and involuntsrily we how the uncover.
ed head, while grateful tears flow unchecked
in the presence Of such associations. To the
patriot, no other spot awakens such deep feel.
ings OF love and reverence.
Our ideas Of the beauty Of the human race
are especially dependent on the power Of as
and by its magic influence, though
each differs in appearance from the rest, all
are rendered beautiful.
The milkmaid as she trips gaiy to her
MOI ming task, her cheek bright with the touch
Of natures pencil, and her eyes glistening like
the dewy grass; the fashionable belle, as she
glides through the dreamy dance, the bues Of
her cheek rivaliug the tints Of the rainbow,
but as Aeeting; the sturdy laborcr, Is he
wends his way from bis daily toll, his cheerful
spirit frightening up bis rugged features and
beamirg from his honest eyes; that carioa
ture Of man, the dandy, as he twirls now his
cane and now bis moustsche, aud saunters