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THE HUMANITY TO BE.
this country, we might resolve their eradication in every platform, and urge reform in every convention; and if our officials are men of doubtful character, morally or politically, our efforts will be in vain.
Other governments have fallen by abusing the rights of citizens, by extorting taxes, by sustaining extravagant courts.
These are customs we must avoid. How can this be done? How can we avoid reckless systems of subsidies, river and harbor bills, and Yorktown celebrations? Is it by electing the party politician over the man of integrity? No; we must rise above that. Republicanism, in theory, is far superior to royalty; and to hold its place
among the governments of the world as such, it demands the purer characters in the holders of power.
Allow me, in conclusion, to present these truths: That present party distinctions are not sufficient grounds for electing men of doubtful character over men of integrity; that party leaders look to personal rather than to public interests; that strict party fealty tends toward an overthrow of republicanism; that the needs of our government demand officials that are men of unsullied character. Therefore, since the preservation of the nation is superior to that of the party, fidelity to the party should not outweigh considerations of character.
THE HUMANITY TO BE.
CONTEST ESSAY, BY MISS MARY GILMORE, OF THE OROPHILIAN SOCIETY.
A musical tone is perfect melody in itself. You may so combine this tone with others of different pitch and volume that, "Like sweet bells jangled, out of tone and hand." they grate upon the nerves, giving exquisite pain and mental restlessness; or with a stroke, they may be made to blend into a symphony, producing a charm to inspire the discouraged or soothe the enraged.
So there are elements in human nature which, according as they are wrongly or rightly combined, will produce ruin or divine excellence. Let society blend, harmonious relations exist between men, and humanity will receive its highest development.
Man is created surrounded by others and is endowed with a nature desirous of companionship. Thus he ought not to isolate himself from society, for he has duties to
perform toward every human creature. Nor ought several to combine for their own advancement, to the entire exclusion of others. Each one is made for all, not all for one.
There are lesser intellects and the greater ones,the virtuous characters and the vicious. We can not rightfully compel the intelligent man to associate hourly with the dull, because he would obtain nothing in return for what he might impart; and the contact would mar his own brilliancy. And if the depraved and evil-minded should be chosen for associates by those of sensitive moral natures, it would end in their own debasement. Nor has man any right to be neutral, or to entirely ignore, thus degrading them: but his duty, arising from his relations, is to elevate men.
Wealth and family have been a barrier between man and man in all ages. In this