Des Arc weekly citizen., 1867-04-06
TRUE FRIENDSHIP,

A4eO A k4AIN Oo1A14p
 There is perhaps no term in our lAn- guagc, the import of which embraces more meaning than friendship. The very tcndrils of the heart from earliest youth reach out in quest of some ob- jcct around which they may fattcn themselves, and cling for support and guidance. It lis the native pabulum of tho human hcart-thc golden chain that cncirclcs true fricnds--the bond of all durable associations.
 The Jacobs ladder that reaches from earth to Hcavcn--the silvercd girdle that encircles the wise and happy. It is heavenly scion transplanted on earth to be nurtured by friendly, gen tie hands, and watercd by the crystal distilled from human eyes, a hig, noble and holy emotion, without it earth with all its beauties and glories, would be a dark, dreary and dismal abode. Sclkirk upon the Isle of Juan Fernon- deg, felt the force of it's true meaning and worth, when he exclaimed 70, Sol itudc where arc thy charms, that sagcs have seen in thy face, had better dwell in the midst of alarms than reign in this horrible placc--society, friendship and love, divincly bestowed upon man. O, tell me I yet have a friend in the world, tho friend am never to see.'
 Abraham was called tho friend of God. The ancicnts called it fidcs, a word of trust and confidence and to express their ideas of it's meaning, they represented it by two hands closely united or locked together.
 But true friendship has it's converse a hollow hearted, sycophantic, dcccpt- i've, smiling friendship, a Judas friend ship, that would kiss you to the cheek and stab you to the back. Such as the great English poet had in mind when he said:
 "What is friendship but n name
 charm that lulls to sleep,
 A shade that follows wealth and fame But leaves the wretch to weep"
 Such friendship as Martin Van Burcn on certain occasion meant, when he said: "I would to God that could be saved from my friends, and doubtless l.thousands have often felt as did Van Buren. But there are true friends and pretended, ,or would be friends from policy, friends so long as they can use or employ you to subserve their own interests and aims. They are warm, jealous, polite and exceedingly obliging as long as they can make it pay--and then they don't know you. You arc a fine, clever fellow in pros perity, but in advasity you are a sconndrcl and q knavc. Reader have you ever passed through such an orde- al? if so you need not have it further explained. If you have not then you have been highly blessed and like Dan- iel you should pray three times a day that you may be saved from such friendship.
 There is q kind of fashionable mush- room friendship, or refined and culti- yatcd hypocrisy, too much encouraged, and rather popular in our day. You meet the disciples of this fashionable school, and feel embarrassed that they can bow and smile and use so many nice, and exquisite terms to express their friendship-" Why how do you do? So glad to see you! Hope you have been well, what is the news etc. " and after all this has been scaled and confirmed by kiss upon the cheek and face. But let them pass by and listen to their words. "I wish had not met such onc-I was compelled to treat him or her with respect. hope may not meet them again. had to invite them to see mo but do hope they may not come. If knew the day they would visit me, I would not be at homc." Is all this the language of true, genuine friendship? Can people not be friendly without so much put-on hypocrisy? Practical common sense friendship is the kind to endure in sun shine and storm, in prosperity and ad- yersity.
 There is nothing on earth so essen- tial to human comfort and happiness as true friendship. It is the gold the other is the dross. X.