Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-08-30

BnOul0 nave tneU e0CuhuReu at once IOT tue
new issue, as in a few days they will be
worthless. H. REED h co.
The Story Of the LupatIcs-A History and
Moral.
The city of LITTJELIGHT, situated upon the
Northeast horn of the Moon, being upon the
borders of a country liable to be occupied
by the enemy in time of civil war, it oc'
CURED to a few of the Littlelights, who were
nearly all loyal to the Lunstic Constitution
and Government, that, as a matter of pre-
caution, it would be desirable to place the
city in posture Of defense.
The general proposition that Littlelight
ought to be protected met with almost uni
versRl assent; but in what manner to pro-
ceed was a point of greater difficulty.
Some were of the opinion that, as
the members of the SQUABBIE-the name
which the Litt,slights have given to their
local government-were none of them in.
structed in matters of war, it would be ad-
yisable first to apply to some person having
knowledge of the military art, who should
examine the subject in all its bearings, and
lay down a complete and consistent plan of
operations.
This view of the case, however, was
mostly taken by outsiders, who, from some
cause or other had less confidence in the
wisdom and sagacity of the Squabble than
was felt by the members of that highly in-
telligent and patriotic body in themselves.
They-the members-naturally felt that the
fact that they had been chosen, by their fell
low-citizens, to provide whatever was neces-
sary for the common welfare, included the
full assurance that they had all the wisdom,
knowledge and sagscity desirable for the
purpose. Having come "fresh from the peo'
pie, since the last quartering, they held them
selves fully instructed in the latest steps of
lunatic improvement; to be amply equal to
any possible emergency, military or civil;
and to be in no need of the aid of the repre-
sentatives of efete ideas and absolete con-
trivances; nor was this opinion, in any way,
weakened by the fact that when they came
to deliberate and compare notes upon the
subject in question, no two of their body
could be found able to agree as to what
should be done to defend Littlelight from
invasion, or how TO proceed in order to ar
rive at the necessary unity of opinion.
There were other difficulties in the way
peculiar-we have reason to believe-to the
inhabitants of the lunar planet. No sooner
did an idea suggest itself to the mind of a
member of the Squabble, in respect TO any
engine, or device proper, for purposes of de-
fense, than there arose at the same time be-
fore his mental vision the picture of some
friend or constituent capable to supply the
same, in the best possible style, at a mod
crate profit to himself, including perhaps,
an imperceptibLe commission to the proposer.
Indeed, twas common thing for outsiders
te originate these plans and press them
upon the Squabble through their friends or
dependents in that body; and these different
schemes, coming in collision, served still
further to complicate the subject, and pro
duce irreconcilable disagreements among the
parties.
With deliberstive bodies on the Earth to
disagree as to the means, is to postpone or
defeat the end and the rule in the Moon is
not in any wise different. The Squabble of
Littlelight neither did nor could agree upon
any plan of operations. Now and then,
under the influence of transitory fit of ap-
prehension it would make spasmodic effort
and pass hasty decree, calling into exist
ence things unnecessary, incongruous or
ridiculous, and then subside into its normal
state of apathy and disagreement. It's men,
bers slternated between a feeling of un-
founded confidence, to one of equally un.
founded apprehension; and from dispo5i-
tion of extreme penuriousness to one of
extreme prodigality. During the periods of
confdekce nothing was, in their view, necss-
ssry; during the periods Of apprehension
nothing was done properly. Their serious
attention was devoted TO taking care of their
personal interests and those Of their friends,
and in devising measures for their own re-
election.
The result was, as might have been an.
ticipated, that Littlelight went undefended
1t had several things which might have been
used for defense, but they were inefficient
without others which had not been provided
1t was numbered with unnecessary, while
destitute of necessary things; and with
snowy army of great efficiency at drss
parade, and an expensive paraphsrnalia, lay
as every man of any military capacity wa
aware, at the mercy of the most insignifcan
enemy.
1t is not necessary to state the conclusion
for that can be easily anticipated. Tn
picture of city overrun, captured and de
stroyed with its slaughtered men, and it
worse than slaughtered women, is not
pleasant one to look upon. The details, in
sensational form were given by the specia
reporters OF the Lunatic journals; bu
the great Lunatic historian, MollygruN
wisely draws veil over the melanchol
tableau; and SO do we.
This little scrap of authentic history
given, not to feed a morbid appetite for no
rors; but.for a more amiable purpose: |
show the inferiority of Lunatic civilizatio
to our own. We are the greatest, the frees
and the most enlightened people, and OF
nation is the most powerful nation of IL
universe. We are holden in unbounded II
spect throughout the world for our justic
and in immessurable fear for our power. "
owe all this to the excellence of our institl
tions, and the patriotism of our people. L
times Of public danger, our wisdom to d.
wise, is only equaled by our singleness
,,,,rnaaa fo avacufa The eaoacitv and vior