The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-12-31
Two Dollars a Year.


From the Philadelphia Ledger
The richest and fullest blessings that
we enjoy are often those which obtain from
us the least appreciation. Their very
certainty aud continuity make them mat
ters of course, and prevent the mind from
dwelling upon them, and it is not until
accident deprives us Of them that we COM
prehend their value How seldom do we
reflect on the priceless benefit of air, water
or sunlight? Yet our happiness and
our very existence is dependent upon
them.
In the same way, society is boon, which
we never Thoroughly estimate, because we
cannot estimate what would be our condi-
/ ton without il. The social atmosphere
1 Is almost as habitual to us as the air we
breathe, and about as little regarded. Yet,
| If we pause for moment to reflect on its
J results, although we may not be capable
/ OF comprehending them thoroughly, we
shall be astonished to find how large a
proportion Of the life Of each individual
Is actually developed by its instrumental
ity. To society we owe all our civilization.
This may be understood by any one who
will examine the contents of his own
home, and consider the many discoveries,
inventions and improvements that have
employed the combined energies of hun
dreds of minds and hands to supply him
with the simplest comforts. Each of these
laborers might have toied through life
alone, without accomplishing any such
results. 1t has been the friction of mind
upon mind, the combination of various
thoughts, the division and union of labo,,
that have spread our tables, clothed our
bodies, furnished and adorned our dwell
ings, built our school houses and arranged
our Libraries.
: Every occupation of civilized man owes
its existence to society. - Agriculture,
commerce, trades and manufactures, are
some Of its results. So are the labors of
the editor, the author, the orator, the ar
tist the physician, the lawyer and the
scientist. Indeed labor itself, with all its |
wonderful results both outward upon the !
the world and inward upon the character, |
is product Of social life. Were we alone, |
nothing but the simple sensations Of hun |
ger, thirst and cold would prompt to ex- |
ertiOn, and these once satisfied, man would |
sink into inactivity from the lack ofmotiye. |
Everywhere do we find that progress Of 1
ali MINUS - sum uIultt ~ Tree intercourse, |
and quenched by the lack of It, Those
nations who hold themselves aloof from
Others are comparatively stagnant and
unimproving,> while those who maintain
the most unrestricted communication with |
others develop with the greatest rapidity.
So the individual who secludes himself |
from companionship usually becomes mar
row in his ideas, selfish in his aims, and /
in his manhood, while free |
contact with others promotes expansion |
of mind, benevolence Of heart, and gen
eral advancement. Society is the only |
through which to acquire refined |
tastes, softened manners, gentle dignity, |
and modest selfrespect. The misanthrope |
and the book worm will be shy and awk- |
ward, or rough and rude, while fancied |
that retires within itself always |
engenders naughty and conceited de-
meanor that is most repulsiye.