Year: 1876

Public spirit ,s one of the best expo
nents of modern civilization. As such
exponent, it indicates a community of
interests and brotherly love among men.
Unlike individual selishness, which il
the basis, or motive power of all human
action, true public spirit looks to the
general good of the community, having
regard for the unfortunates or less ia
vored ones of the race, and borders on
the sphere of the golden rule. A COM
munity made up of energetic and pub
lie spirited citizens can overcome al
most all outward disadvantages, sucl,
as bad climate, sterile soil and i'll ia
vored geographical position, and make
themselves materially comfortable and
spiritually happy and serene. Man,
the hOblest and most wondrous work
of God, possesses within himself the
latent germ, which, if given its proper
development, will triumph over all OPP
position and attain at last to perfect
peace. This is u grand ideal, one to-
ward which an approximation is all
even the best specimens of the race hope
for in this life. 1t is well occasonlv to
contemplate ideals to the end of spirit
ual ediication and that practical les.
SONS aud good resolutions may be de-
rived therefrom. Isolated as we are
in Clarke county from the great cen
ters of population and commerce of the
Union, deprived Of the strength OF that
powerful unity possessed by the nu-
mcrously inhabited States f the Allan
tic coast. aud lot a fc'.' :a'ural disad.
vantages OF soil and climate to combat,
IA united action of our people, coupled
with an abundance OF public spirit, is
imperatlvely required to produce a sat
i-factory ratio of advancement toward
peace, plenty aud general prosperity.
Unity of action among men for the good
OF each other is one great contradistnc-
ton between men civilized and men
barbarous. Individual benefit is of
course the primary object of all human
action; this is law of human nature.
That law however, is in the economy
OF the Creator, nothing but stepping
stone to far higher and better truths,
which reach out from the individual
and become links t, m..:reat chain which
binds all humani a hlto one common
family. The sccul:l'!n IND Expression "pub-
lie spirit" comprele'%',,,, many Of these
truths. So much for the abstract ma
turc Of our subject, and we have plat
form from which to suggest something
practical. Few societies of men are so
far advanced that an augmentation Of
public spirit would not be benefit to
them. Clarke county has not yet at
tanned to the dignity Of the few. Here
is need of more publ c spirit as well
among the wcll-to-do farmers of the
county as among the merchants and
business men. The idea prevails in
some quarters that taxes paid, as
they are, into the general fund, are
about the same as money thrown away.
Taxes are regarded as something eth
er to be escaped entirely, Or made as
low on the individual as the risk of
perjury will permit. With this motive
in view, the assessment of the county
il made to cover but little over one half
Of the real value of the wealth Of the
county; and this. too, when the public
credit is about twenty-five per cent be
low par. The rate of taxation is made
upon basis consisting of the actual
value Of the property Of the county and
territory. But this actual value is new
er ascertained; tor by the prompting Of
undue selfshncss and lack of public