The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-12-12
Our Debt to Society.

Aic Itcbcob huu iuit1t ptcuoiuts hiiof VIC
enjoy are often those which obtain from us
the least appreciation. Their very GER
tainty and continuity make them matters
Of course, aud prevent the mind from
dwelling upon them, and it is not until
some accident depriyes us Of them that we
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 a boon, which
VIC never thoroughly estimate, because we
cannot realize what would be our condi-
ton without it. The social atmosphere is
almost as habitual to US as the air we
breathe, and about as little regarded. Yet,
IL we pause for moment to reflect on its
results, although we may not be capable
of compromising them thoroughly, We
shall be astonished to fnd how large a
proportion Of the life Of each individual Is
actually developed by its instrumentality.
To society we owe all our civilization.
This may be understood by any one who
will examine the contents Of his own home,
aud consider the many discoveries, inven-
tions and improvements that have employ
ed the combined energies Of hundreds Of
minds and hands to supply him with the
simplest comforts. Each Of these laborers
might have toiled through life alone, with
out accomplishing any such result. II has
been the friction of mind upon mind, the
combination of various thoughts, the divi-
sion and the union Of labor, that have
spread our tables, clothed our bodies, fur
nished and adorned our dwellings, built
our school houses and arranged our libra
ries.
Every occupation Of civilized man owes
its existence to society. Agriculture, COM
merce, trades aud manufactures, are some
of its results SO are the labors Of the
editor, the author, the orator, the artist,
the physician, the lawyer and the scientist.
Indeed labor itself, with all its wonderful
results, both outward upon the world, and
inward upon the character, is product Of
social life. Were we alone, nothing but
the simple sensations of hunger, thirst and
cold would prompt to exertion, and these
once satisfied, man would sink into inae
tivity from the lack of motive. Every
where do we find that progress Of oil kind
is stimulated by free intercourse, ant
quenched by the lack Of it. Those nation
} who hold themselves aloof from others arr
comparatively stagnant and unimproving
while those who maintain the most unre
) stricted communication with others deyelo
with the greatest rapidity. So the ind
: yidual who secludes himself from com
partnership usually becomes narrow in hi
4 ideas, selfish in his aims, and unprogres
: sivc in his manhood, while free contac
: with others promotes expansion of mind
d beuevoence of heart, and general advance
t ment. Society is the only channel thrOug
{ which to acquire refined tastes, softene
4 manners, gentle dignity, and modest sell
" respect. The misanthrope and the book
he, worm will be shy and awkward, or roug
nd Ind rude, while fancied superiority tina
nd etires within itself always engenders
of aughty and conceited demeanor that
re INST repulsive.
70 Language, with all its bene6cent result
I'D i another product of social life. Her
v again We fail utterly to conceive the col
. dition which would have been ours withol
y the gift of speech. Even thought is d
y pendent upon it, if not for its very ext
I tence, as some maintain, at least for i
T clearness and accuracy, and for any pra
7 teal result that it is to accomplish. III
"a ideas which float in our minds, but Whit
e wc find it impossible to clothe in word
/ cannot be truly called our own, and uni
we can SO shape them, they viii be u
d fruitful. But without thought and
n effect, man could hardly be deemed {
e intelligent creature, and If thought
;, undevelopcd, save by language, and la
l. guage be impossible without society, '
g may correctly say that to social life '
% owe our very nationality
! II such are some Of the debts we owe
. society who viii dare say that society h
u no claims upon us9 If is true that up
IT it We depend for all our civilization al
% progress, our refinement and taste, o
> education aud manners, for labor with
. benefcent results, and thought with
y elevating influence, are we not bound
y make some return for such glorious al
y bountiful benefaction Should not su'
u view lead every man and woman to maj
l. deeper and graver estimate Of the 7
l. sponsibilitics and duties Of his or her ?
rs sition Is it not somewhat mean al
g selfish to receive so much and give SO i
+ tie, and that little perhaps so unconscious
e and involuntarily9 Surely society has
L. rightful claim upon each one of us for 1
9 best and most bene6cent results which
d is in our power to produce. We have ju
!; enjoyed season of Thanksgiving, VIII
n our thoughts have naturally turned to I
IN happiness and benefits that have be
showered upon us. This feeling Of than
:, fulness, il true and pure, will stimulate
: us renewed desire to promote the hap
ness and welfare of others. To do th
% il is not necessary to ignore self, but ratt
:. to strive to give to society in our own p
. sonality as perfect aud well balanced