The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1859-08-19

the many are. the possessors of that |
very force and have almost abolished
its use, as means of government. |
Should the government resort to a
army, that army would consist
of the very forces they most dread
equipped and officered. But
if arms, themselves would be beaten in
such eontest-if those, who should
propose, the renewal Of ancient sever
tiles in punishment would themselves
be punished, have we not some other
reason for the security of moderation
and self-denial, and for the suprama-
cy of law and order Have not the
scholars, who adorn our halls of learn
ing and WOO almost a sacred and hallow-
ed serenity to dwell in their aeeademic
shades, have they not among all the
languages, which they speak, some
tongue, by which they can charm and
pacify, the mighty spirits, we have
evoked into being Alas while
scholars and aeademists are continual
ly debating such questions, as whether
the name of errorshould not be spelled
with the title u, the very soul of error
becomes incarnate and starts up, as
from the earth, nyriad-formed and
ubiquitous aud stands by the side Of
every man and whispers transgression
into his ear and like the first tempter,
entices him to pluck the beautiful, but
forbidden fruit. / wish to speak with
reverence of the labors of another
profession, in their sacred and holy
calling. Well do we know, that no
other country, in the world, has ever
been blessed with 0 body Of clergy
men SO learned, so faithful, so devout
as our own. But by the traditionary
customs and the ingrained habits of
the people, the efforts of the clergy
are mainly expended upon those, who
have passed forming state; upon those
whose characters have become fixed
by which we mean they have passed
from fluid into flint. Look at the
ablest pastor, in the midst of an adult
congregation, whose early education
I
has been neglected. Though he be
consumed Of zeal, and ready ode of
/ toll in their behalf, yet if their early
|education has been neglected, their
labor is in vain. their effort is turtle.
"For as the .twig is bent the tree is
inclined" But perhaps others may
look for security to the public press,
which has now taken its place among
4 the organized forces Of modern ciyili-
cation. But the very existence Of the
/ newspaper press for any useful pur,
pose, prssupposes that the people
are already supplied with the elemen-
tary,and inspired with The love of right,
and therefore prepared I'd decide with
intelligence and honesty, those com
1 plieated clains, which the tide Of
wants is constantly presenting, and
whice BY the myriad messengers Of the
! press are carried to every mans fire.
4 side for his adiuaicntions Forof what
value is ii, that We have the mos
wisely framed government on earth
to what end is it that the wisest
schemes, which philanthropic states
lnanship can devise, should be submit
ted to the people, if this people ha.
not the intelligence to understand, o.
the integrity to espouse them
Il Again then, ! ask the unmitigatet
anxiety what institution we now pos
sess, that can furnish defence or bar
rier against the action of those propo
| pensities, which such generation
brings into the world, as part Of it
being and which our institution fos
ter and stimulate into unparalleled ac
} tiyity and yigor! Can any christian
+ man believe, that God has 50 consti
tuted, and 50 governs the human race
: that It is always and necessarily to b
! suicidal ofits earthly welfare No
] the thought is impious.. The sam,
: Almighty Power, which implanted il
I! our nature, the germs Of these terribll
propensities, has endowed US, also
) with reason and conscience, and
: sense Of responsibility to Him.
And in his providence, He has open
: cd d way, b. which these noble facul
ties can be elevated into dominion an
1 supremacy over the appetites and pas
c sions. But If this Is even down,
- -