The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-06-05

Midnight Musings.-No. 2.

Midnight Musings.-No. 2.
said in my first lumber, that tho true
object of man is happiness. I have since
been musing on tho 6iffcront means that
are pursued to attain this one object. E,ch
individual seems to follow tho course which
his own fancy dictates, without paying any
regard to established rules. In this respect.
there seems to be kind of originality IN
man. He strikes out on bold voyage of
discovery, without chart or compass. Hap
piness is not only attempted to DO gained
by unsol6sh means. but by all tho schemes
aud intrigues of which the human mind is
mastor. Avarice, that great propagator OF
misery. ia courtcd by its votary as boing the
only source of true happiness. This proves
that u,an is of,on mistaken in the means to
gain happiness. Avsricc-a clctching after
old-bas been tho cause Of tho downfall Of
nations. History furnishes US examples.
The misor has kind of happiness, or,
rather, tho qualification of u baser element
of nature, whilo benGing over bis golden
treasure. lie gives his whole cnurgies to
this one selfish object. Is it not q pleasure
to him to deprive himself OF ovcry comfort.
the more readily to attain this one end II
it is not. why this fear aed trembling. as he
stands sontinci over his accommodating wealth:
The criminal seems to have kind OF hap.
piucss In bis CONSTANT war ON sIclU.y ne
has delight in proving on his fellow man.
l do not say thore is any happiness in being
q criminal, as such; but, 10 q mind that has
nothing to commend i,solf to the good wish
es of mankind. there is kind of pleasure in
doing injury to those by whom ho is thus
dospisod.
by we'll balanced miud-onc abou nding
in good wishes TO all mankind-thosn baser
pursuits arc cast aside, as affording no real
pleasure In their stead are substituted tho
onnobing pursuits Education ia adopted
as ono of tho highest means through which
to obtain tho one great object Of ifo-earth-
iy pleasure. To this great channel, tho
trae mind over resorts, and in IL is found a
very high degree of pleasure. Tho student,
as he bonds over his books, by the rays OF
the midnight lamp. has high and pleasurea.
bio hope of Frightening manhood. He
tolls for tho future-he emulates tho groai
minds with whom he conversos. Tho rising
sun sees him at his task the midnight sees
it's close. Labor is the measure of bis lifo
-uuabated perseverance his portion. VIII
any one say that, in all this there is no
pleasure Even the sIoven has so high a
sense of happiness as to subject himsolf to
severe trials to possess it. Tho statesman
finds himself at tho highest position that
ambition could place him. lie stands upon
a pinnacle whore the slandors OF earth can.
not reach him. Ho is busy with the pleas
uros of memory He secs himself in zach
successive period Of life; in youth, when
high aspirations seized him--tha. period oi
fitfui ambition-that epoch of dreams; In
mddle-age. when steadfast ambition breathed
a spirit of defiance into his undertakings
when no aimed with q steady hand and at
untiring zeal at the accomplishment of grea
ends. For his prosen. exalted position, HI
has toiled lifotine. He looks back will
feelings of pleasure upon life devoted t.
the more ennobling pursuits of nan he Il
pleased with the path he has left bebinC
him.
If happiness is the Object of man, tn
thought suggests itself, what is the bes
means to secure it: That means which
> while it secures happiness to ourselves, is
: productive source OF good to tho huma
raco. SCRIBE.