The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1880-04-15
WHOLE NO. 17I2.
LCiHcinnati Commercial

/ 1HE dream OF the ldeallSt IN all ages
has been a world in which the golden
rule enforces itself, and inhumanity,
injustice, and all forms of wrong and
violence exist, if at all, as tradition of
the darker ages. Prophets and poets
alike predict the coming OF such an
age of Saturn, and the temperance
of the Biblical Paradise.
To the student of the history of
civilization it is afar off, more remote
in fact than it appeared to the seers
and prophets of the Augustanern, and
for the reason that the selfshness of
man remains the same whatever
changes society may undergo, and
whatever the progress of civilization
may be.
Ambition, thirst Of power, desire
for riches, and pursuit Of wealth, are
as true to-day as in any period of hui
man history The methods may be
different, but the process remains the
same. What society has gained by
bitter experience is a clearer definition
of human rights and the protection of
law against their invasion and viola
ton, and this law has constantly to
be invoked to secure society against
tendency to barbarism.
Whether the world is growing NOR
ally better may we'll be doubted. So
ciety is perhaps better organized polit-
ically, but its moral advancement is
questioned by social philosophers.
So slow at least has been the progress,
so almost imperceptible the advance
ment of the races, that none but the
poet and rhapsodist venture even to
dream Of the time when repressive
and punitive laws will be no longer
needed to protect society from its own
destructive forces.
One has only to study the events of
single year, as recorded in the news
of the day, to be convinced of the fact
that, whatever the advancement in
invention and science, and the art Of
government, man usually remains
on the same level he did eighteen hun
dred years ago. Goethe said take
care of the beautiful-the awful will
take care Of itself, and it may be ap-
Piled to the social condition by para
phrase: Take care Of the morals of
society-it will look out for its own
material welfare.
Hence every institution among
men that is conservator of the morals
of society should be encouraged; the
churches, the schools, the philan-
thropic societies, and all agencies of
moral instruction, should have the
sanction and aid Of all men interested
in the moral development OF the race.
Whatever refnes and elevates-as
--usl the fine arts, museums, thea
ters properly conducted, concerts and
lectures, should be sustained and null
tiplied as means to the great end OF
moral culture.
But with all these agencies at work,
there will be failure unless there is
the concurrence of family influence.
The work must begin at home. 1t IS
not important that children should be
instructed in creeds and beliefs, and
in dogmas which even adults do not
understand, and go through life with
out comprehending, but it is import
ant that they be taught to be honest,
upright, just, charitable and temperate
in all things, and having respect for
the rights of others. We can not
hope for progress, for moral progress,
towards the ideal social state, if there
is neglect Of instruction III these
things in the home circle. The boy
or girl soundly educated in these
things may know nothing of the the
ories that divide Catholic and Protest
ant, Jew and Gentle, but they can be
safely counted on to go through life,
leaving a record of usefulness and an
example of honest and upright deal
ing with their fellow-men that will
live as a sweet memory after they
have returned to the dust.