The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1873-11-13
IDAHO CITY, THURSDAY. NOV EMBER la .lls735- : !
= 1a9 s1iiss9i fcom.,7k11cArrn,
SOCIAL SLAMS. !5s.

It's little faults, peccadillOes and other unim
portant meanderings from the way of recti
tude, which writer's upon social reform are il
the habit Of excusing, rather than condemning
But aside from these minor moralshortcomings
there is chargeable to the same vast imperson
al entity, an array Of deceptions, hypocriciel
and frauds like the Jews articles of merchan
disc, 'tOo numerous to mention" Some o
these take the form Of, and am almost tempted
tOadd at tiues, become virtues. They certainly
perform the Offices of virtues. Others are in
defensible on any principle of correct logic OF
Of sound morals and should be everywhere
condemned and avoided. One of the latter
sort, to-wit; The desire to appear what we are
not, and have not the ability to sustain, will be
considered in the remainder of this article
First, however, let me remind the reader that
its converse-the desire to be what we would
appear to be-is one of the highest of virtues,
and should be cultivated by ALL 1t is both un.
desirable and reprehensible for a man or woman
to be utterly Indifferent to what other people
think of them. Such state of mind indicates
II loss of that pride which alone can sustain us
amid the trials and temptations of life The
absence of pride is degradation; and whenever
any person is wholly reft of that elevating
principle, it will not be long before he or she
will appear as defendant before some police,
or other criminal court. But we should not
devote our time aud means to the one silly and
extravagant object of keeping up appearances
Too many of us sacrifice our happiness and the
happiness and welfare of those dependent upon
us. on the hard altar of public approval. ltis
right, always, to do good, whether the world
approves the action or not: but never to do
questionable, or even good, act for the sake of
the approval OF others 1t is quite desirable,
and quite respectable, also, to be rich; and it
is undesirable, and, to some extent, no doubt.
disgraceiul to be poor; but if you have the
misfortune to be poor. it is less disgraceful to
let the world know your poverty, and bravely
struggle against it, than try to conceal it by
contracting bills which you know you will
never be able to meet Yet how many do this
thing.
1t is right. too. for rich people to live without
work. 1t enables the poor to get employment,
without which many who have not the requis-
tie ingenuity aud financial cunning to plan
schemes for their own advancement, would
,tarve. But because the rich may live without
work. it is not therefore right nor honest for
poor people to try to do so, however well such
ife might accord with their inclinations.
1t is right to be we'll dressed, because it is
pleasant and healthful, and makes one feel well
with himself and with all around him; but in
his matter. as in everything else you do. a
proper regard for the rights Of others and for
'our own feelings of self respect, should ad-
nonish you to consult your circumstances, and
lever go beyond your means even to crafty
'our very natural and proper desire to be
lressed genteelly.
Again, it is right to attend church, and to
,e member of the church if you believe in it, |
md are willing to, and do, conform your life to
IS requirements; if you don't believe in it, and
Ion't shape your life by the rule of its precepts,
hen stay out of the church, no matter what
smith says about you for it, or you are an i'm
'ostor, hypocrite and fraud. All of these
hings are right, and will not be gainsaycd in
heory, even by such as ignore them in practice.
every community can point to
g <ha 80; nh fnf spf hal
fashionable and pretenders in religion.
Young women whose parents are stepped to
heir chins in poverty, who are incapable
{ doing even the simplest kind of housework
0 earn a dollar, or to assist their parents in
1aking living, will run their fathers in
ebt beyond the possibility Of payment, to
urchase for them every article of wearing ap-
arel, and every gewgaw worn by Miss Flora
'itzfrlzzles, whose father is a millionaire
'oung men having no visible means of support
too vainly proud to work, and it may be too
or too cOwardlY to steal.-who
ress like bankers sons. take the lead at oil the
alls, social gatherings and the like and are
pecinlly sought after by mothers having mar.
iageable daughters. but who haze nothing in
he world to recommend them but their unpaid
niors' bills and board bills. Families who
tudy day and night, and starve themselves and
hildren, not to better their condition in life,
ut to appear as grandly as Brown, WIN is
ich. This 70 all wrong; but, nevertheless, we
,ill have. to put up withit,- reader, until each
us shall have sufficient courage and virtue
. recognize worth, in whatever garb it chooses doses
, array itself, for it's own intrinsic value, and
j despise shams, false prStenses' aud frauds
ecauss Of their native hideousnees, though
lad in ''silks and fine linen !" until genuine
ectitude is substituted for formal religion; real
,tegrity and charity displace the hoiiowness