The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1871-11-29
wv I'M M @Ha1R0,
Wednesday Morning, Nov. 20, 1871.
Arc We Progressing I

This question, universally applied,
is certainly y difficult ono to answer.
In many of the relations Of life, our
people seem thoroughly imbucd with
progressive spirit, and' 'thc high d..
gree of perfection attained in the arts
aud sciences surely proves that in
these particulars at least We, as ma.
ton, have abundant cause to rtipice
fer our advancement in civilization.
From moral, social, AID political
standpoint, however, VIC can lay no
just claims to an active spirit Of pro-
gression. On the contrary, We have
undoubtedly rctrogradcd during the
last decade of years, as ou: condition
at tie present day fully attcsts, and
view it as you will, tho causes and ill
tlucnccs contributing to thi, rctrogrcs.
: on on ouvpart, are plain and "nuis-
takcah'c.
In tho first instance, let us consider
this question as applied to our neral
status. DO wo stand in this respect
where wo stood twenty, thirty, or
even fifty years ago, or have we i,rs
proved upon tho morals Of our fore
fathers I BE it said to our eternal
shame, We havo not. We have dis
cardcd their pure and simplo religion,
and raised in it's stead "thc golden
calf" aud its worshippcrs arc without
number. The people everywhere vic
with each other in Il struggle for rich.
cs, and the po"scssion of "flthy lu-
ere" is made their sole aim and amc
bition. Thus the noble purposes aud
objects of life arc neglected and for
gotten, and our manhood is wasted
away in degrading efforts to crafty
ignoblc passions, and accomplish scl
fish End unhallowed ends. Is this
fulfilling our Legitimate dcstinics 2
Have we lost aud become dead to the
sense Of tho duty we owe ourselves,
and still more our Creator 7 This is
a suggestive inquiry, and one well
calculated to afford much food for
reflection. We are gradually rclaps.
in" into state Of semi -harbarism, Of
far ns our moral natures are concern.
cd, and unless we soon awake to our
condition, alas for our standard OF
civilization. 1t will be by-word
and rcproach i'll every quarter Of the
globe, and we pointed at with scori
and contempt.
Morally speaking then, VIC hay,
rctrogadod to IN alarming extent.
We will next consider this question
of progress as applied socially, and il
this particular wo cannot claim 70
ourselves those characteristics tha
arc 80 desirable, and that aro so nc
ccasary for tho prosperity Of people
We witness everywhere IN absence o
a sentiment Of "community Of inter
ost,""a union Of feeling" so t. speak
social features that tend in every VA,
to mako society at large a common
brotherhood, and bring about a mu
taality of good will that ought to bin,
together Gods whole creation.
1t is certainly saj spectacle t,
behold country disturbed and un
settled by tho disscnsions and wran
glinss of it's inhabitants, by men be
tween whom there should exist spir
it of love and friendship toward on.
another. In these times, however, o.
,o.caAcd "Lattor.Day Saints" the
glorious principles of Philanthropy nc
longer undcrlie the actions Of the
great body Of humanity, and arc vir
tually ignored.
We pursue our individual course
along the path of life with no thought
for the unfortunate by the waysdo
EngrosScd in selfish concerns, wo care
! not for suffering brother, battling