Year: 1861

\ Although we have fallen upon perilous
times, and are exposed TO the evils ever
following in the train of war, we may profit
somewhat, as individuals and communities,
by learning the importance, the practical
utility Of UNION AT HOME; the cultiva-
ton of kind feelings, especially the cultiva-
ton of desire to promote the interest, the
rational happiness of our fellow men that
when the clarion notes Of war are heard,
aud the traitor thrsts for our blood, for the
destruction of our peaceful homes, our na-
tional prosperity and glory, we can stand
shoulder TO shoulder as friends in defence
of common interests.


Often we hear of inveterate malignity
throwing whole communities into deplor-
able state of unrest, altogether debasing in
its tendency, and destructive Of the great
object of society, mutual aid and protection.
All difficulties, whether in church or state,
should be conciliated, and society united by
the golden chord of good will" and self
sacrificing devotion to the general good.
Many are the ways 10 benefit each other,
not only as it relates to dollars and cents,
but to other courteous attentions that pro-
mote the amenity of social life. A kind
and hearty greeting, leaving no suspicion
of dissimulation, like the magicians wand,
gives new life to mutual confidence, and
friendly intercourse most emphatcally
fitting man to wish and do his neighbor
good.


On the other hand, the arrogant and re-
pulsive mein creates anything bnt desira-
BILE condition of mind, producing cores
ponding coldness and neglect, an entire
perver,ion of reciprocal duty.


Acts of kindness, though small, are emf
nently calculated to restore bellgerent feel
ings to those of true brotherhood. Al
Gen. Ransom, the hero of Chepuliipec,
once remarked, that the thousand name
less things make home pleasant" so the
thousand almost nameless generosities, in
wove with friendship, permeates society
with mutual confidence and happiness.


We once heard an honest yeoman in a
neighboring town, remark that he was so
unfortunate as TO rarely receive call from
stock buyer, from the fact that those who
should have aided him, as just neighbors
and good citizens, prejudiced the mind of
the buyer. Instead of biasng the mind by
the indirect thrust, or willy insinuation, ev-
cry good citizen will assist his neigbbor
when consistent with business etiquette,
rather than ipjure, approaching the great
moral obligation TO make every effort to
render others wiser and better. As DR..
Wayland has written, " Every citizen ought
to be willing to assist others in doing that
from which he himself derives important
advantage" as he surely will from every
disinterested act of humanity.


Every citizen should stand up like man,
Gods nobleman, making it the great point
in life /" 10 do to others just as he seould be
done Iy."


Where malice and Jealousy have laid
their destructive hands upon the unity and
peace of society. may the olive branch !"
festoon the door of mansion and cot, and
all 90 out with friendships offering" to
meet his fellow in the labors of life. And
while our own Ethan Aliens have gone to
repel the traitor, and restore harmony and
prosperity TO our Union, may those who re-
main at the quiet retreat of home, cultivate
feelings of friendship and union, that the
stars and stripes may be honored, not only
by free men, but Just men. S. B. W.