The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-09-13
Live and Let Live.

| The abundant crops with which the coun.
try, and especially the Valley of Virginia,
has been blessed this year, suggests that
there should be corresponding liberality in
Improvements, SO as to give the needy EN-
ployment, and permit them to share in the
benefcence. The people have educated
themselves for the past three or four years
to the most rigid economy, resulting from
the partial failure of the crops and the gen
eral prostration which has hung over all
public enterprises. 'sHard Times " has been
the chronic refrain during this period, until
all have come to believe that they are really
in worse condition than they are. il those
who have been favored with remuneratiye
harvests would only reflect a little, they
would come to the conclusion that to add to
the improvements on their farms would not
only give them that much more value. but
would aid the less favored in supporting
their families, and obtaining, probably, some
| of the comforts Of life. No man should live
exclusively unto himself. He is a part of
| the social organism, and the prosperity and
happiness of society Is dependent upon the
part each of its component parts discharges
| the duties imposed upon him by reason of
| his social relations. II the farmer would
conclude to make such improvements as
would give a few days work to half dozen
| laborers, and the merchant would determine
to give the mechanic a little encouragement,
and indeed, all who are in condition to do
so, would contribute their share to giving
activity to industry, how much comfort, not
to say happiness, might be diffused through
out community. Whatever expenditures
might be incurred by the manifestation Of
this spirit of "live and let live," would re-
| turn again in some form or other, after hav-
| ing accomplished its blessed mission of re-
lieving the wants of those who rest under
| the frowns of fortune.
Above all things, don't hoard. just for the
love of counting over the shekels when the
activities OF the day have passed. There is
nothing rational in this. 1t begets COLI
tracted. misery disposition, which will breed
annoyances, if not evils innumerable, and
destroy those finer feelings which should
always be cultivated, expanding and exhil-
Grating the moral being, and enabling each
to fulfil well his mission on earth. Each
constituent OF community owes something
to his fellow. The obligations of reciprocity
cannot safely be neglected. They appeal to
the better emotions OF our nature, which are
heaven-inspired, and to disregard them is to
turn the current of life in channel that
leads downward and not upward-groveling
in the association and shutting out the sun
shine which should glow and warm upon
every heart. Kind words and kind deeds
and human sympathy are the sparkling dews
which refreshen and invigorate the moral
attributes and fashion our nature ia the
image of Him who went about doing good,
healing the sick, clothing the naked, and
dispensing His blessing to the poor.
Let us not neglect the duties we owe to
society and to one another, and as has been
given unto us, letus also impart, that we may
be instrumental in diffusing as much comfort
as possible among our ow-creatures.