The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1883-12-19
SOCIAL LIFE.
Essay Read at Pomona Grange in Canton,
oct. 27th, by Mrs. S. o. Eggert.

Essay Read at Pomona Grange in Canton,
oct. s7th, by Mrs. S. o. Eggert.
The idea presented itself to my mind
why are we not socially one. Why so
many grades in society appears a very
plain, yet perplexing problem. Man
kind possesses substantially the same
enjOyments. The pleasures which flow
from the systems of nature and the
beauties which adOFn the heavens and
the earth are open and common to all.
The same sun shines upon and the same
atmosphere surrounds all. The same
landscape mountains and meadows
stand forth to charm the cOttager as
well as the sons of Opulence and fame.
The faculties of conscience, memory and
reasoning are common to man in all
| ranks and nations. There is also a
natural equality among mankind in re-
| spect to their origin, organization, afflic-
| tIOns and wants. Why then are we not
| socially one?
There exists different classes or grades
\ in society, and must exist so long as
/ there is diversity in the habits, capaci-
| ties, tempeTs. inclinatiOns and pursuits
/ of men. A perfect equality in wealth,
rank or situation. This gTadatiOn of
| society necessarily flows from the rela-
| tiOns and circumstances in which man
| is placed with his fellOw-man, and also
| from the vast difference in the direction
| of the faculties of the mind, the objects
and pursuits 10 which they are directed,
| the cultivation they have received, ana
| the degree of perfection to which they
| have attained.
| We Americans are said to be the most
| uniformly social nation on the globe.
| yet how many grades do we find in So
| ciety, and on what are they based? Is
it rank or station; the quantity Of rich
es we possess, or display of wealth? Or
is it on intellect, integrity and moral
| excellence? Are not all the external
| tTappings or displays of wealth which
| fascinate the vulgar age. and by which
| the various ranks of mankind are dis
tinguished, mere adventitiOns, and have
| they any necessary connection with the
| intrinsic dignity or integrity of man?
\ Would not few paltTy dollars suffice
| to clOthe the most ragged beggar of the
! street in the gaTb of the millionaire?
| Thus clothed would he be better man?
Would the clothing in purple and fine
linen change the base or ignOble man
into one of purity and gOOdness2 Ger
| tainIy not. Ignorance or vileness cloth
ed in silks and diamonds passes in so
called good society. We mingle with
them and call it happiness. But the
same Ignorance or Vileness clothed in
rags is beneath our dignity; we would
not stOOp to associate with them.
Wherein lies the difference? Only the
rags and diamonds. Look at the man
who rolls in wealth. Society courts
his presence. But next year let the
wheels of fortune turn upon him, and
the same society knows him no more.
Thus, on taking a survey of society in
general, | am led to believe these differ
ent grades are established more on the
subordinate passions of man, as envy,
pride, avarice, cOnceit, and display, than
on intellect, integrity and moral excel
lence. So long as based on these pas
siOns, so long will we be an enViOus,
jealous and cOneeited people; but when
based on intellect, integrity and moral
excellence, then will we be a happier
and better people.
Man may dive deeper in thought alone
in his library, but he will also derive in
structiOn and pleasure, and have broader
and more liberal views of life and man.
kind, by frequent social recreation with
his fellow men. As birds and flowers
need genial sunshine and refreshing
showers, so man needs genial social sun
shine and the healthful refining inf
enee that flows from association with
the good, the generous, and true, that
he may grow truely generous and good.
Tis said that Americans work too
much and play too little. But to the
mass of American people Life is real,
life is earnest" and the necessity of a
living, or rather not mere living but
living according to the prevailing mode
leaves to them no time for complete in
dOlence, and little time for social recre-
alton. Hence recreation frequently
embOdies instruction and and infOrma-
ton as well as amusement and rest.
Such is our meeting to-day. We leave
our daily routine of duty. and meet to-
gether socially and intellectually ami
not last nor least, comes the feast. |
beIieyeit was DeCurry who gave Us the