Bismarck tribune., 1880-12-24
Home Improvement.

Inc lnnuence CT the nome upon Guar
actor and morals is so self-evident as to
require no particular emphasis; 1t is an
immense factor in the we'll being of a
community; it not only steadies, but it
stimulates ambition, encourages an hon.
est life, and makes its owner more in.
telllgent man, better citizen. If the
value OF ownership is in question, from
political standpoint, one need only look
at France where peasant proprietorship
is in the foundation of the Republic.
And this is, perhaps, the most hopeful
condition of American life. With the
exception of the great cities where float
ing population is inevitable, the majority
of our people dwell in their own habita-
tions. Scattered all over the country,
forming network Of ennobling associa-
tions, clustered about the village high
way, isolated from the New England
hilltops, resting on the great prair1es, add.
ing to the beauty of our towns. forming
in the West the bulwark of civilization
these homes, from the humblest cot to
the palace of the railroad king, are so
many magnets drawing the better class
of the people to an intimate and patriotic
love of ther native soil.
"True to the kindred points Of Heaven and
Home" -
the affections center in these shrines of
domestic comfort. To those who have
been merely tenants Of apartments or
houses, such an affection can be but dim
ly realized. Can anything be more for
lorn than the ordinary city lodging, with
its cramped boundaries, noisy surround
ings and glaring publicity? How can
domestic virtues be cultivated in a great
caravansary, where the eye of everyone
is upon his neighbor? The very word
home conveys the sensation of peace and
comfort. It means freedom to do as one
likes, to enjoy individual liberty to the
top Of ones bent. But mere dwelling
should not be the sole aim. The Indian
has his wigwam which he carries from
| place to place, but one hardly locks upon
| it as the shrine of domestic bliss. With
out intellectual associations,I ,Iwlthout cul-
ture, without refinement, without at least
some striving toward beautitying its in
terror and surroundings, home is not.
home; it is base counterfeit upon the
old Saxon meaning. "Home," says
Dryden, sis the sacred refuge of our lite.''
Mere possession is not enough, for if the
home is indeed refuge 1t will be made
a pleasant one; the temple of love, it
must be made fit for the indwelling of
those who would derive strength and
benefit from it.. Too many of our So
called. homes are bare and cheerless.
Especially in this the case with those OF
the farmer and the rural community
generally. Eminently practical in all
bis views, shrewd and capable in all that
pertains the growing OF crops, the farm
er is apt to neglect the better side of his
nature. He looks upon sentiment as
| purely superfuous; it IS with him mat
ter of dollars and cents. "What,' he
will ask you, .'is the use OF pictures, and
magazines, and fowers!'-forget4ng
that life is more than meat and the body
than raiment. And what is life if it does
not minister to the higher side of our
nature; If it means merely food and
drink and clothing while the min3 is
left desolate, without one beautiful as
sociation. dwelling forever open the
sordid claims of every day existence?
TIE those who have mingled with the
world and grown weary OF drifting from
place to place, this yearning for home
grows with years. They consider it a
happiness to,toil and deny themselves
that permanent abode may be provided
for their families. They now that they
will become stronger and better men.
And when these hopes are realized they
feel as if portion of the earth had been
given them in trust, and they are eager
not to fall short of the responsibilities
thus devolving upon them.-Boston