The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1882-04-19
Independence.


Tho Old-fnshioned virtue of humility
has fled before tho power of that dis
agreeable quality generally mistaken for
independence of character. We have
nothing to say against this independence
when 1t is properly maintained, and
does not degenerate into insolcnce but
things are not always called by their
right names; and great amount of bad
manners and insolonce passes current in
all classes of society AZ independence,
personal pride or social superiority. IL
Is difficult to define real independence
of character; to tell Just what the com
bination of self-rcspoct, good Judgment
and mental strength is which makes il :;
but 1T is easy enough to tell what it is
not. When cook boils the mutton she
was told to roast she is disobedient, not
Independent. When writer revenges
his personal sights III newspaper, or
gratifics dislike of his neighbor by false
imputation OF motives, he plays the part
OF n coward, and has no courage in him.
When a passenger stretches his legs
across horse-car, or sits sideways with
his feet in his neighbours way, and looks
like n thunder-cloud ut any one who
stnmbles over him. he is simply n nuis-
ance and intensely disagrecable. The
false notion that work for IN employer is
incompatible with independence and
service incompatible with pride, have
made unreasonable mischief in the
world Tho term servant is now IN
obnoxious one; we have housekeepers
and assistants; parlor-g girls and table
girls; but no servants. In the stores, the
saleswoman who is paid to wait upon you
bristles angrily If addressed by her pro-
per title, and announces to your startled
ears the fact that she is saleslady. AS
you cross the crowded street after leav-
ing the naughty damsel's presence, with
the tinkle of her cheap bangles and
cheaper ear-drops still mingling with
her insolent voice in your memory, you
wonder why the courteous officer who
conducts you safely over the crossing is
not called n police-gentleman and
think, in dazed way, that you must in
future speak of Dinah with due respect
rs your washlady, and of Michael as
your ash-gentleman. Why not? They
are all-saleswoman, policeman, washer
woman and ashman-equal in the sense
Of being servants. Everybody is bound
to some kind of service; everybody is
dependent upon his fellows; the veriest
recluse must have food, clothes, and
shelter; and if he can make these him
self he is still dependent upon the
courtesy OF his heighbor to let him
alone. 1t is impossible to be wholly in
dependent, and the attempt might rs
well be abandoned. All who live must
do something Letthis fact be universally
recognized. Let us stop calling insolence
spirit, rudeness independence, noisy
self-assertion manliness, conceit pride,
and boorishness dignity. Give credit
for good work, whether it is eulogy or a
pudding, and confess that success is do
ing well that which one undertakes. To
be absolutely independent and free from
service, we repeat, is granted TO no one
and even the choice of service and of fel,
low-workers is very much limited. To
talk Of freedom is in great part sheer
boosting. We are born in harness and
the best we can do is to keep the harness
from chatting, and to make It help.