Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1871-10-28
ErrEor OF CIVILIZATION UPON
HNNR0Y.

OI -
which need to be appreciated, In order
to be counteracted. Among these isa
tendency to limit individual energy.
While intensifying 1t In certain direc-
tions, civilization %withdraws 1t from,
or weakens It in many Others, thus
hindoring the full expansion Of mind
and character. The unctvilized man
is dependent solely upon his own Wig
orous activities for security, liberty,
possessions, and even for continued
existence. Civilization as 1t advances,
secures these to every man, with an
increasing inviolsbillty, and thus
leaves a large amount of active energy
free to flow into other channels. 1t
would seem as If this should be an up-
mixed blessing to mankind. Their
primary needs being supplied with but
little personal effort, we might expect
to SEQ the energy once necessary for
the defense of life and freedom, now
applied as zealously to higher aud
more complex Objects, In 4 great do
gree this Is the case. The present ad-
vanced state Of learning and art, the
many noble examples of philanthropy,
the increasing search for truth Of every
kind, and the efforts to diffuse 1t; the
enlightenment of mind, which is grad-
ually conceding and establishing all
| over the world. the personal rights OF
man-these and many other rich fruits
could never have rlpened, save under
the benign rays Of civilization. But
1t is equally true, that these things BY
no means consume all the personal
energy that was once expended on Gle
mentary needs. The objects that en-
gagged the uncivilized man were those
Of necessity, while those that now
present themselves are comparatively
matters Of choice. The physical nature
Is peremptory in her demands, and
receives no apology for neglect or
delay in their supply. The man hun
gers or thirsts, or needs shelter or
warmth, or his life or liberty Is threat
ened, and Immediately there arises an
energy sufficient to supply these needs,
no matter how great may DO the obsta-
| cles he has to overcome. When the
obstacles are removed, and the physical
needs satisfied, it is comparatively a
matter of choice with him, how ho
shall expend his energies, whether on
worthy or unworthy objects, or
whether indeed he put them forth at
all, now that the iron hand of neccs-
sity Is removed. So, we see some sink
Ing into luxurious effeminacy and in
| dolence, their powers and activities
actually drying up for want OF use,
and others selecting various objects Of
| pursuit, on which they expend more
or less vital force, according to their
characters. 1t is, however, the rare
exception, when any n puts forth a
courage, resolution and perseverance,
| equal to that which actuates the rude
and uncivilized man in the supply Of
| his physical wants. The indiosment
which Is most universal In cllling forth
energy of character in ci.ilized COM
munities is the desire for wealth. TO Q
large proportion Of mankind this Is the
source from which they hope to crafty
all other dosires-hence very much Of
all the worlds energy Is devoted to
that object. However intense may be
the zeal concentrated on sucha pursuit,
its tendency Is narrowing and coll
tracing. In the diffusion Of wealth,
on the other hand, there Is ample scope
for expanding the character and en-
largipg the heart, but this Is too often
held quite secondary to the eager and
selfish effort for its requirement. II.
however, civilization In Its more ad-
| vanced forms has a tendency to weaken
and contract individual energy, we
| must remember that it Is only 4 ten
dency, and one which 1t Is In our power
to countersct. This Is to be done, not
by undertaking the real blessings Of
civilization, but by approaching those
advantages which she cannot bestow,
and which her influence, If uncorrected,
may impair. The invigoratlon Of In
| diyidual character by every available
means Is the counteracting force by
| which we may stem the current which
| threatens US. If this co-exlst with
civilization, and is augmented In the
same proportion, they will together
| produce fairer fruits than either can
alone. Tho civilization that Is built
| on character will stand firm and un-
| shaken, while that which lacks such q
foundation will crumble and decay, as
past examples have borne witness. 10
cultivate that courage and heroism
which Is ever ready to do and to suffer
for a worthy cause; to shrink from no
labor or pain that comes In the path
Of duty; to brave rldicule; to deal
frankly and sincerely with all; to
! value outward advantages, not as ends,
but as means; these arc some Of the
ways in which we may build up a
character that shall resist the injurious
tendencies of o refined. civilization,
without sacrificing any Of Its real ad-
vantages. In educating the rising
generation, this object should take
precedence Of all others. 1t Is not the
amount of impaired knowledge, either
classical or technical, that makes a
valuable education, but the Infusion Of
such a spirit, and the training to such
habits Us will strengthen the mind to
work for itself, and will devclope q
manly and womanly character. The
youth who begins active life with a
thirst for truth, a patience of toll, q
standard of action above the worlds
opinion, and a hope of reward higher