The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-06-16
The Idea of Civilization.

o~vAf au0 YET nave nOtntnS Out
vague and indefinite meeting for vast
majority Of men, the educated not except
60. such Is precisely the term civilfSa-
ton. ~ 10 always, taken in opposition to
the savage state; but where civilization
oegins, and what are it's essential elements,
ethi remain . national idea very different
In different minds. 1t SCENE that for
length of railroads, the progress Of uaviga-
tion, the perfection or complication of ma
chinery, clio extent of discoveries and In
Hentions, the bulk Of literary productions,
the acquisition of knowledge, the status Of
the army; the extension Of telegraph lines,
sne mutt pilcat,on OF factories, the gor-
geo9spess of baildings, and, even we
might add. the number Of aounces on the
ladies dresses, the brilliancy of diam onds,
and tho judicious use of paint and powder.
Whatsoever foundation there may be for
this idea, it Is certain that these tllings arc
taken for evidences Of civilization, and that
by them nations are Judged aud their de-
gree 10 assigned in she social scale. Hence
Mriters and speskers, frequently make
sweeping assertions which have ne other
foundation than their preconceived. ideas,
and yet which few can refuse, because
they really do not know What they mean
BY civilization, .r.
still Contain very frequently = deep phil.
osophy. The term civilization is evidently
derived from the Latin oiuis, citizen,
(Whepee cicitas, q collection Of citisensl
aud implies all those qualifications which
at man for society, or to dwell in com.
pany with Others The tfae principle Of
civilization, therefore, is Christianity, which
do unto them as we wish it would be done
unto ourselves. 1t is in Christianity that
We find that idea Of charity, kindness, Ne.
spect, chastity, freedom, Justice and
honesty, which render oar social relations
not only possible, but also agreeable.
Wherever these are lacking, civilization 10
nothing but cultivated barbarian. The
ton Of genius and the perfection of govern
ment, are by their nature calculated to
promote the happiness Of . people, develop
their mind, facilitate their Intercourse and
advance their civilization {; but In our opin-
ion they are not civilization, and can at
~ national experience that men of the
highest degree Of mental culture may be
thieves, swihdlers, murderers, adulter ers,
intriguers end subverters Of the public
security and peace. Men Of learning and
genius during the French revolution, fell
upon their fellow -oitizens,. like q host Of
barbarians, and tortured them with q de-
moniacai pleasure, and after imbruing
their hands in the blood of the most civil
lied portion of France, they turned upon
each other with the fury Of wild beasts.
The augustan sge has left to posterity
master pieces Of literature and art, but the
sculptor would leave his chisel and the
philosopher and poet their pen, to enjoy
the barbarity Of the Coliseum: The civil
lization Of the Roman nobility was the
Quintessence OF self, and the poorer classes
were degraded slaves. The Lacedemoni-
ans carried their barbarity SO far IS to for
bid the support of all those whom de-
formities Of nature rendered useless to So
ciety.
be ignorant of letters and fine arts, but has
a thorough knowledge of his religion, is
gentle, charitable, polite, respectful, hon.
est, faithful to his word, sincere in his ex.
pressions, always ready to assist the
needy, always willing to interchange kind
offices, and seeks with all the power of his
soul the welfare of his neighbor, whether
slave, and does not seek to enslave his
fellow beings, lie is panied by sufferings,
and. endeavors to remove them from
others ), he derives pleasure from the kind
AID gentle manner of others, and lie finds
in his heart the. rudiments of true refresh
ment, which he develops and perfects by
the practice of social virtues. Iu our opin-
because. his life is 10 conformity with the
form Of ciyiliz truth, and is
most beneficial to society. If we seek the
real type Of civilization, We must turn our
eyes toward the mountains of Judee and
Ak them upon Him who left everywhere
the traces Of his good deeds; who knew
indrmity, sympathised with sorrow, re-
buked the oppressor, was kind and gentle
to the oppressed, and prayed for his per-
secutors. -
The. true Christian, though cast on q
wild desert, naked or covered with the
rags of poverty; though dwelling in q
miserable hovel, and earning 6 his daily
bread by the sweat Of his brow, or living
on the roots which the barren soil o6ers
him, has not Lost his civilization, because
he retains his gentleness of manners and
kindness Of heart. On the contrary, the
child of nature, such as is found N some
regions of Africa, is not civilized because
he has been clad in q costly apparel,
lodged 10 a sumptuoEs palace, or costly
seated in a. Pullmap's car. Nor could he
put in his claim to civilization if he had the
knowledge of Newton or the skill of a
Raphael, unless his manners and feelings
were those Of Christian. The nearer q
people approach to the principles of Chris
tianity, the moro they are civilized, and