Nevada County picayune., 1888-01-18
Popular Discomfort.


 Social philosophers are much asitated at the present time by the widespread spirit ot discontent, and it's cause and cure have afford ed theme for general discussion. It is true there is much disSatiataC tion among the masses, but we are not inclined to feel alarmed about it in the least. We are told that never before has the irit of un- rest been so rampant, but we think this is mere easily accounted for than many are willing to admit. It is due in d great measure, we believe, tu the feveriShness born of unparall eled activitNin business enterprise and unprecedented pro- gross in the domain of science and the mechanic arts. An age of electric motors. balloous aud tele- graphs could not we'll be otherwise than teverish and unsettled. True there is reason for some of the dIs- satisfaction that exists, but we hardly think 1t can be removed iu the way that some of our sociolo giSt propose. This spirit is not peculiar to the present any more than to the past It has always been and will ever remain. They but beat the air who are striving to remove it. The highest realiza. ton of the dreacs of modern socialism would still leave the world uusatiSiied. The iaireSt Utopa that human statecraft could devise would not begin to sate the cravings oI mankind. It has been truly said that man is,the unsatiS. fled animal, and all experience proves its correctness. It IS a 
 poor philosopher, indeed that would tranquilize the troubled heart of man by aiming to gratlIy his desire for merely material things. No. variety, no change no art" says Mir BrowuSoa, "can satify him. All that nature or ant can offer .palls upon ..his senses and his heart is to him poor, mean and deSpicable.o The things of time and sense are powerless to quell the agitation of the human heart.
 There is in this world of ours no perfect peace or happiness, and the best, the braveSt, the most fortunate have wants that ,an never be supplied. That happi- ness for men long and sigh unceas. ingly must come from witlin-and not from without. Higher wages and more perfect sysem of govern, ment can do little to make men eontented with their lot. Some are unhappy with a million, and others are happy with dime. We see peace and content in d hovel sometimes, and darkest despair and misery in the palatal home of Inc mlloatlrr. There IS wretch edness clad in sdtin> and serenity iu rags. Oar own felicity we make or tnd."
 We are long before We are con viuced.' said Imlac to Rasselas, "that happiness is never to be found, and each believes it posses Sed by others to keep alive the hope of obtaining II for himself.'
 This truth of Dr. JohnSon's can not be too often repeated. It will be a source of soothing to many a distressed.mind-a consolation to many man who Is longing for he knows not what.
 We cannot too strongly impress upon the mind ot the people that the fewer their wants the happier they will be The fewer they are the easier it is to supply them.
 The iroIhy declamatlons of so, phists and deniagogues can never disproVe the perpetuily of human ,ltscontent ur close the eyes of ra- tIoual men to the foolhardinesS of those who think to abolish it.
 The wise elements of human sind will continue to "draw upon cpn'cut tor the deficiencies of for. tune" aud still fandl, cherish the conservative doctrines of Gold smith in "rhr Traveller" where hr .ayt;
 flsash lri'riu'. a,''r5. ..'l .hall wisdom Gud
 Aa s.iaal l..rit.a l. rl' D" au mankind.
 ID r EnAE