The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1870-02-26
Social Virtue.

eial virtue 10 from the columns Of the
Philadelphia Ledger: Virtue is the EARN
est and continuous approach of al in,li
Yidual to pertecIiun. 1t consists ot two
parts-the internal meditation upon
rood leading to good resolution, and the
external action, which converts them in
60 potent force The first may flourish
i'm solitude, but the latter is dependent
on society for its existeure. Alone, We
may reflect sn the beauty Of honesty,
candar and self sacrifice, but if these re-
fections are ever to develop into virtue,
it must be by direct contact with man-
kind. All virtue is thus emincntly So
cial, and no oBe can ever be independent
of the character of these that surround
~. Every individual is constantly either
contributing to the stock of social virtne,
on diminishing it, and it is, in his turn.
either improved or degraded by his in
tercourse with others. ''No man liveth
10 himself" is great law of nature,
which struggle as we may against 1T, Will
ever maintain itself. A. one foul ohject
will taint the air of whole room, so one
vicious member Of family or q commu-
Mtg may corrupt tlie entire social atnios-
phere I'm countries where pow erty and
degradation exist in certain classes.
other classes who may fancy themselves
fur removed, are really contaminated. d.
i Even nations bring their characters to
bear upon each other, in proportion to
the nearness of their intercourse. Every
B nsw invention of science, which taciti-
tates communication, alse aids in dit1u-
eiAg moral character.
Each individual In then personally in
tefssted in the virtue af every ptlier ia
I dividual, every nation in the enlighten-
cd progress of every other nation. Ihe
elevation Of all benefits each, and the
edward progress of each assists all:
Evils in social life seem to deepen gu
examination. This discourages many
from attempting to uproot them, but the
truth 10, the more hideous they appear,
the more ehauce there is for their er;ttl-
casiap. When the corrupt substance
that 10 psjsoniDg the atmosphere n
brought to light, its offensive character
Il seenis to he greater than before, but its
u manifestation quickly leads to its ban
i ishment. Vices flourish best in dark
nssa; the light that is thrown upon then
. n the beginning of their destruction
Their exposure and abolition are obliga'
II tory upon all goed citizens. This may
b seem aa herculean task, but if each ont
B puts his shoulder to the wheel, n.anfaliy
and resolately, the change in rnbli'
Z 4 morals would soon be manifest. Inter
Il est and prudence alike unite in eWoin
4 ing tlIis duty, and all combinations hay
B ing saeh ends IN view demand the ait
q apd support of all.
EysEy citizen shares the responsibilit!
D fkc public morals, and none can witt
any justice cast this burden upon an
sother. Especially 10 this the case in TIL
country, where 20 much Of the real gov
ferniHg power lies In the votss OF the peo
sss ple II it is the special duty Of the states
man To enforce public morality, It ,
aqlatIy that of the citizen to elect onl.
sllAss 90 stticea of trust and power ~hes
character ia above suspicion Honest
md trutLfulness should at least DO rs
s uised, and before these primary essen
s ssais ef good government, every part
ie<lilg should disappear. ID . dsspotisnI
ne people, while suffering from the lac
ef virtue III the covering powers. may
naahle 10 prevent this naisfOrtane. bus
afes country like ours, whore the powe
A oil delegated by tire people tlienascive
M Tho rulers, the responsibility is equal
Ss hared, and esery scftisen Id ii his ow
sRsse accountable FOR the character I
s asse whom hs has helped 70 raise e 81 gu
Inn sf trust. 81. d s.s<...E.. ss...se.
ia emily when the worship of weait
displaced by the W0rship Of virtue
ss llo hearts on the hearts of the peopi
hd when integrity ii vaaued shove .
isanship, thai tha efgaIs ~ Gover. =.