West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1893-02-09
SALT AND CIVILIZATION.

A"Neoi III IHc poll-
ties, commerce, and wealth Of
nations, and its use has marked the
advancement OF civilization itself.
Liebig once said that the state of
civilization and the prosperity of a
nation might be measured by the
quantity of soap it uses; but more
shrcwd observer, Schleidcn, claims
that a better estimate of peoples
advancement can DO formed from
tho amount of salt they consume.
The frst trade-routes were estab-
iishcd for the traffic in salt and
incense 5arbaric people waged war
over the possession of sslt-springs !:
Venice owed much of her magnifi-
cence to the revenues from her salt
lagoons; while the French Reyolu-
zion IS indirectly attributed to the
inexorable gabelle, the cruel and
oxorbltant salt-laws which oppressed
the French people through four
centuries. In Europe, even to. day.
the salt-works sre either owned or
controlled by government while
the Chinese jealousy prohibit both
the export and import of salt.
Thus, the policy of kings, the pros.
perlty OF nations, the progress Of
civilization. have hinged upon this
unconsiderable trife; but aside
from them, common salt has had,
In all times, among all peoples, and
In all creeds, a deep religions
significance. The Greeks and Ro-
mans made salt a part of their
sacrifices, and 1t was offered in
direct propitIation to placate the
gods Of the internal regions.
Among the Hebrews, all flesh sacri-
fees oFeree in the temple were
seasoned with salt and the most
binding and sacred compact was the
so-called I" Covenant Of Salt" all
such treaties being made over a
sacrificial meal of which salt formed
a necessary part. The early Ger
man tribes thought the ground holy
where salt was found, and their
prayers more rapidly heard in such
places while to shs day the priest
places salt in the mouth of a person
receiving the Catholic sacrament of
baptism.
The reason of this deep and far
reaching significance is not far to
seek. Salt, because Of its preserya-
tive qualities, has ever been the
symbol of eternity, interruption.
fidelity, wisdom, Justice, and peace.
Christ called his disciples the 70 salt
ofthe EARTH" meaning that in them
hay the perpetuity, of the Christian
spirit. 1t had also, particularly in
the Bible, terrible and sinister
meaning, betokening sterl.ity and
TrevocabIe ruin, as shown in the
account Of sowing with salt the site
OF a city destroyed by siege.
Moreover, salt is the inviolable
symbol Of hospitality. every meal
mclHding salt-aneng the ancients
and IN the Orient at tie present
day-haVing a sacred character, and
creating among tho partakers
thereof lasting bond Of friendship.
" Attic SALT is the commonest
synonym for wit; and it is recorded
chat The Romans, who made salt
the symbol Of the immortal spirit.
termed a mans soul his sa1tllum 4,
9. SaltcelGr !
The symbolism Of salt having
been a part Of the religions Of all
epochs, it Is but natural that super
stitien-so often merely the distor-
ted shadow Of religious rites and
observancos--should find in salt
many magical, and even SUPER
natural, qualities; Tor superstitions
concerning salt are az universal as
its higher symbolism. Seemingly.
Che basis Of these beliefs is the TACT
--solemnlg vouched FOR BY grave
and learned authorities-that az
the Devil never eats Of this condi-
ment, salt is aataqonistic to the
Evil One, and renders Intellectual
his many wiles. Thus, salt was
rubbed OH newborn babes g. saryi.
Fal Of the Hebraic law, sprinkIed
"for luck" in q new house, carried
IN the pocket when starting on a
fresh ventare, cast into the Ere az
Che spirit was about to depart from
the dying, while little salt thrown
down the back Of a witch wa.