The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1891-04-22
Davis 4 Ooz' er,
S0CIE1 Y.

Society, in the ordinary acceptation of
the word, is fashionable institution de-
signed for fashionable purposes, govern
cd by laws of fashion. 1t is not based on
intelligence or usefulness, or anything of
practical and permanent value to human
lty. If its supporters are useful, intel
ligent, OF anothing else of real and last
ing worth, it Is not due to society. but
generally in spite Of it, As a rule. to
which the exceptions are rare, nothing is
learned in society but human nature, and
usually only the weaker and poorer side
of it. One may go into society,"" as the
process is called, for a whole fashiona-
hle season, emitting not single festive
occasion to which he or she is invited.
without getting as much valuable
knowledge as can be obtained by an
hour Of judicions reading. Society-we
SpeaH now of the fashionable variety--is
not intended to and does not cultivate
either head or the .heart, make the
active members better or wiser. does not
do more than amuse, and not ALWAYS
that. 1t would be very dear if it could
be had for nothing, but its cost in time,
money, trouble, physical and mental
health is incalculable. Suppose half the
money and time had been expended in
charity and beneyolence and frightening
the homes of others, would not the ag-
Grcgate of happiness achieved be larger
and nobler3 If society cared anything
| for Its votaries there would be some com,
pensation for what it demands of them.
But society is proverblally heartless.
lIbaing neither body to he kicked non
soul to be damned, " it is utterly indifer.
ent TO the fate of the bodies or the souls
which it taxes.
Let the belle and beau of the season
at whose feet society has laid ts,choices
honor, lose their beauty, grace. POPULAR
ty or which is worse, in a social point OF
view, the inclination or ability to foot
the bills, and society drops them without
a sigh, without as much as an apology o.
tear of regret Let the most petted mar
TT goer, the most frequent party giver
sted down into the cemetery, how sooI
does society forget them as completely a,
il they had never been BON,
Society sheds no tears over the fina
exit of priests and pricstesses, mach les
over any defunct member of its oougre
cation. 1t simply turns away, calls of
"Ncxt'' and another priest, prlestess o
member comes forward to flll the yacan
| ey The most that society ever does OF
such melancholy provocation is to atten,
the funeral and send wreath or crcs
! with card attached If, on the follow
lug night, Mrs. Grundy gives reception
or Miss Grundy German, society i
there in full dress, chatting, dancing
flirting as meuily as ever, not even miss
ing the one who! has gone to return n
more,
Society organized on the fashionabl
plan is very near curse Society o,
ganized on a basis of reason and commo
sense is an unmixed blessing. Man is
social being and needs society, but he il
, or ought to be, a sensible being, heedir
sensible society A society that HI
nothing to offer but fine clothes, fiji
= suppers, Irritation, late hours, dancin
may satisfy debptantes and oallow fled
+ ings, but to those of maturer growth
e is fiat, stale and uprodtable; that is if i
+ crease of age has brought ipcrese
h wisdom, At least happy media
= might be found in which the younger a