The National tribune., 1896-07-23
EDITORS CT st.
Home LIS Where the Heart Is
rRrE IDEALS.

TRUE IDEALS.
In these days of fevorish discontentsno greco
ef gain we are fast losing sight OF the true COT
ditions of progressive life; and 10y progressive
is here meant not personal advancement in ma
terial things but through the higher endoM-
ments OF mind and spirit.
Man was given the power of conquering the
material world but the power bestowed upon
him did not end there. With brawny lhDs
he could outstrip the steed Of the desert I'D DIS
chase and with def hands speed the arrow TO
jtsf1ight. The splendid animal within hlm haa
strength and skill that made him master oil an
created things.
But il has not been through the exercise OF
physical powers that man has asserted his su-
periority over the brutes, but through the in
ventive and creative forces of powerful intellect
and transcendent spirit.
Through the exercise of these powers the SUD-
lie clements Of nature have been trained TO 90
his will and The occult powers of the universe
are marshaled at bis bidding.
Tracing the history of mankind to its remo'-
esl origin, we fnd that the bome-making de-
sire has been the animating principle oil all ms
effort, that the property getting spirit was en-
eendcred BY the desire of the man to better
house, cIothe feed, and protect his children and
his friends.
Through all ages this has been the best stmu-
lating impetus of manly proves and human
skill. This il is that has built up communities
and states and nodded and swayed the fate OF
empires and republics
This il is that has cult waited art and science.
fosiered invention and discovery, and made the
solitary places Of earth 10 blossom as the rose.
This ID is that has made beautiful and happy
homes and filled them with the comforts and
delights Of refined and civilized life
But with advancing civilization has been en-
rendered another spirit which is setting up
false ideal and setting a curse upon the very
things that, il properly used, perfect withlh u
all that is ennobliug and elevatiDg. This spirit
Is the acquisition Of money for moneys sake !;
20 psnder 10 the lower iusts aud appetitesi 70
create pageaDtry and show; TO create lnFquaii-
ties and srtifcalities; to promote idlepcss and
vanity and discomfort
The rand growth Of this spirit within our
own Republic should give rs serious thonght
and reflection. Ia land where the develop
ment of the individual lies at the foundation
Of Government, 10 is positive menace 70 our
. institutions 10 permit such spirit TO rise U p
and control. without protest and a combined
The first duty of every individual 10 to so
perfect aud control his own spirit that no mat
Ger what his circumstances and surrobnnlhRs
his courage is unsubdued and his enjoyment OF
simple things unimpaired; and by simple
things is meant those things which are given
20 every human soul at brih-the ar, the sun
chime the plants the flowers; friends, home,
she free exercise of all his faculties, the Joy
everyone must feel of making the most and
best of his opportunities These are the true
ideals of human living.
The false spirit, on the other hand. teaches
that the great end OF man is to accumulate
money; 10 outstrip his ncighbors; TO revei IN
sensual and sersUous pleasures; to increase the
number nf ciphers which measure the extent OF
his wealti ii he can write 500, his ambition
is TO make ii $1,000; when he has reached ST.
900 he wants 10 add another cipher and make
IL $4,000; when he has reached $1,000 he
wants 20 make il 100000; aud when he is the
self on 10 write 81 100000; and SO on till the
hand that writes can write no more.
And this is high price for the measure OF a
man who has let all his beautiful youth 20 by,
and either forgotten or left behind the sweet
girl who shared the simple pleasures OF his
boyhoOd or placed her in a home toward which
he has he, a little more than machine 10 hoard
snd supply.
Ii is positively refreshing when 90 many OF
our writers have become THE slaves of this bald
BaRieFsisW 10 find one who writes so sweetly
Of the ideals 81 q trurr and better life, as does
the writer Of The following verses, whose name
we do not know.