The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1888-07-12

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relief, but their permanent effect is to
draw population and thereby to in
crease the evil which they are intend
ed to mitigate. Yet those that regard
their possessions as trust are to a
great extent compelled to limit the
display Of their benevolence to
donations Of money. They choose
the great cities as the most agreeable
places Of residence and thereby cut
themselves off from the opportunity
of exercising their proper influence as
citizens. They seem to look upon the
existing institutions Of society, which
protect them in the secure enjoyment
Of the fruits Of the labors of others, as
a part of the permanent constitution
Of things, forgetful that these institu-
tions are the slow product of bloody
struggles for liberty, and that they
are not to be maintained without a
continued struggle.
Patriotism is not solely military
virtue. There are sacrifices to be
made for our country in time Of peace.
For those who are endowed with ex-
ceptional wealth to consider only how
they may spend their lives most pleas
antly, is species of treason. The
luxuries of the great towns of this
country and Of Europe may be highly
enjoyable, but if the leisure class"
give themselves up to these they need
not complain if the hungry class"
glares at them with growing contempt
and hatred. Lavish benefactions to
charitable corporations" half Of
which do more harm than good, may
quiet the out-cries Of conscience but
they do not touch the evil. 1t can
only be reached by an active partici-
patton in those commonplace affairs
which make up the genuine life Of a
community. 1t requires that the
owners Of property should come into
closer personal connection with their
fellow-citizens by whom this property
is made productive and secure; that
they should not consider their own
pleasure or interest merely in the Sc
lection of their abodes, but their duty
as we'll. 1t is low conception of life
in society that suggests that man
must go where he can "better HIM
SELF" 1t may be his duty to go or
stay where he can better others. 1t
should seem that clergymen especial
ly ought not to be insensible to this
argument. There may be preferences
between Environments" but man
of power makes his own environment;
he is source Of light, and not de-
pendent upon radiation. lie clergy
man can elevate a whole community,
even small one, he ought not great
ly to regret the flesh-pots Of the city;
but if he allow his mind to dwell up
on them his influence is not likely to
be very elevating. Concerning the
education Of children, it is pertinent
to inquire whether nobler men and
women have at any time appeared
than those that sprang from the Chris
tian homes of the rural towns Of New
England. Hard as the conditions Of
life may seem there now, they were
harder then. With the same lofty
purposes there would come the same
social elevation.
It seems clear, therefore, that meas
ures calculated to increase this fund
Of conservatism, the political wisdom
and virtue of the small towns are die
tated by the instinct Of self-preserva-
tion. The greater the proportion Of
dwelling in such places,
the safer the country. Whatever in
creases the fullness of life in such
whatever renders them
more attractive for residence, whatev-
or promotes the intelligence and NOR
atty of their inhabitants is to be well
coined. It is not to be expected that
youth shall remain where
no career is opened to it, or that those
who have intelligence and leisure
should resist the attractions that now
control them; but if, in any way, the
prosperity Of the decaying country
towns can be restored, If the small
places that have not decayed because
,hey have never developed, should by
any means be stimulated into commu-
lal life, these tendencies might cease
20 be dangerous. "
The act regulating commerce be-
tween the states is step in this di-
.ection. The whole scheme of the act
,ontemplates the protection of the
small against the great. Small towns,
small capitals, small industries, are
put upon an equality with great ones.
So far as the tribunal created by this
act is concerned, it may be affirmed
without provoking mirth that there
is not one law for the rich and anoth-
for the poor. The humblest citizen
having a substantial grievance is Of
fered singularly cheap, expeditions
and sure remedy. A check is put up
on the slaughter of small enterprises
by gigantic competitors. IL the the
ory of the act can be carried out, the
influences which now make it so diff
cult for men Of small means to engage
in business for themselves, which