The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-07-05
For the Democratic Advocate.
Old Times and New.

deal in these days of the march of progress,
the advance of science, and the general i'm
provement of the age Admitting this to
be true, yet are there net moments when
we would gladly have time'turn backward
in its flight, and the past become living
reality?
Honestly, l confess to being decidedly
old fashioned in my ideas; so much so, that
were they all openly expressed, should
lose caste forever with ''Shoddy," and re-
ceiye recognition only from that small, but
respectable class of society called antedilu-
vians.
Socially speaking, have we not degener-
out the life of sincerity and cordiality :?
How refreshing hearty grasp of the hand,
in contrast with the fnger-tips fashion
lazily presents and as indifferently with
drawn.
Modern society is bristling all over with
points of etiquette-alas for the uninitiat-
ed who enter.
1t is painful thought, that with very
many the ideal of home is much lower
than formerly, while the ideal of house and
furniture towers up grandly. The dreams
of youth and maiden on the threshold of
life have practical interpretations; they are
of getting up and going ahead in the world.
Marriage means to the man, a matter of
convenience; to the woman, an establish
ment-a theatre of action. Home is to
both, a proud, stately house, filled with lux
uries, and gilded with trappings and insig
mia of wealth. A place to eat, drink and
sleepin, apartments to receive visitors, rooms
in which to dress and beautify for applause
of the world, but not the place to Ire in.
The attractions and pleasures of life seem
to be outside of, and above it, while domes-
tic comfort and happiness are thought of
only as utopian ideas of no practical value.
1t has become fashionable to travel, and
people cross the ocean, seeking in foreign
lands the ancient glories which their own
country denies them. They complain that
we have no antiquities, and forthwith the
old house is torn down, furniture of a half
score years is helped up into sky parlors,
and family plate goes into the furnace,
coming out bran aeio. What contradic-
tionsl Shall we ever boast anything old ?
Shall we ever take pride in anything that
is not staring all over with the superscrip-
ton of neao !?
In contrast to the fashionable and mod
ern conception, my thought turns to the
old homestead, where through generations,
from sire to son, home has been trans
mitted. The ancient trees that grow around,
full many tale might tell of childhoods
happy sports and manhood's hardy toll, of
the bridal wreath and funeral shroud; they
have outlasted many generations, yet they
and the old house still live on together
the spot on which they stand is "hallowed
ground"
Within, perhaps all is faded and worn,
but everything has history. Associations
cluster around each table and chair, mem
ories drape the walls with richer tapestry
than royalty can boast, and echoes of the
past reverberate upon the senses at every
turn. 1t is place for romantic visions,
for poetic dreams, for deep cummings.
Imagination revels in the past, scenes from
theLong Ago are pictured on all around,
spint forms and faces take on, anon, NOR
tality, and people once more those memory
haunted rooms.
Such home love to visit, and love
it all the more when within the sacred walls
I find Old Age surrounded by children and
children's children, meeting together around
the same hearth-stone, and kneeling togeth-
er at the same altar.
Yes, | am old-fashioned A gay city
home has no attractions for me; it is like
picture of brilliant hues and bold dashes of
genius, but lacking harmony, because it
lacks a soul. l like rather the sober neu-
trail tints of quiet country life, because it
is quiet and calm and real.
One would suppose, to look upon society
at large, that destiny had allotted to mortals
plurality of lives, so rarely is the one life
which the world gives, devoted to its high
est use.
The hurry, toll, sweat and groans of hu-
manity, carry the nation forward. Men
rush into speculation, spendings days and
nights in feverish excitement, and dash into
all sorts of humbugs for the sake of gain,
which, if secured, gives new anxiety in the
fear of loss. So we grow old, and this
''restless seething sea" is called Life.
In the olden time our ancestors knew
Just how they stood with the world; their
property was not afodt, bound hither and
thither with every wind and wave and tide
of opinion, but securely anchored in safe
ports. 1t seems to me the style Of living
was superior to ours; look at their family
mansions, the few that are left us, how
stately and substantial, and in dignity and
courtliness of manners, how opposed to the
nervous excitability which characterizes our
pseudo aristocracy. The man with fifty
thousand then, lived in the style and main
tanned the dignity of gentleman; the man
with twice that sum, now, lives whirligig
sort Of life and hardly preserves the equi-
hbrium of an overwrought brain.
But | must close, having to beg pardon
of the Editors and readers of the ADVOCATE
for my long tediousness, the only excuse l
have to offer, being my great interest in
antiquities, whether of customs or things,
and the belief that the ADVOCATE, itself,
may be little tainted with the same heret-
ical views. J. S, G,
For the Democratic Advocate.
Some Pen Pictures of the Bosses and
Editors of tbs Readjaster- Coali-
ton Party of Virginia.
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