The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-06-14
Be of Good Cheer.

We copy the following from the New Orleans
Picayune Of the 3Ist ult: Reentering on the
paths Of peace, we see at a glance that the ques-
1ions most pressing for the profound attention
Of the people OF the States recently opposing
the authority of the Federal government are
those on which, in the highest degree, their fu-
ture prosperity depends. 1t is of the utmost
importance that all such questions should be
amply discussed and well and wisely and promptly
decided A great work has to be accomplished,
and it should be performed energetically The
most Immediately important portion Of this
work, after the Reorganization Of State govern
Inent in all its branches, is the adoption of such
measures as shall be deemed best calculated to
promote the most speedy and safe recovery from
the direful effects of war In the perfection of
such measures the people of all classes are deeply
interested. All the intellect, the practical knowl
edge and ability, and the energy Of the States
should be devoted to it. Although "grm-v-
saged war" has inflicted terrible disasters and
devastation upon these States and solely impov-
ershed the people, the prospect of early recovery
from the blight that has been cast on their pros
perity is by no means disheartening. In fact,
the obstacles, great as they undoubtedly appear,
are only such as, when carefully surveyed, the
people, animated by patriotism and zeal, and
with well directed energy, can and will quickly
cause to disappear. Courage mounted with
occasion" To entertain doubt that the people
of the South and southwest are not equal to the
work to be accomplished would be objectionable.
The evidence they have given to the world of
their daring and determination in wrestling with
and overcoming difficulties, satisfy us that with
united will they will speedily free the way to
future prosperity from all the distractions which
now cucumber and render it almost impossible.
History furnishes many instances Of the won
derfnl rapidity with which countries recover from
the;effects of war, and with which they achieve
even greater prosperity and power than they en-
joyed before they were exposed to the fell
scourge. In none of these instances was the
country so richly Astounding in the elements and
material Of industrial, agricultural, and CONNER
cial wealth. possessed of such vast resources,
and enjoying such advantages OF soil, climate
and locality, as are these States; nor was its
prosperity so closely connected with and desira-
bic to great manufacturing and commercial coun-
tries as in the case of these States Hence we
can discover no foundation-no cause for dark
torebodngs of long continued adversely On
the contrary, with the knowledge we possess of
the resources of the States, OF the character Of
the people, and Of how desirable it is to the
manufacturing and commercial world that the
staple productions Of these States should be
forthcoming in the accustomed and yearly in
ereasing quantities, we are firm in the belief
that with concerted, earnest, and intelligent
effort and the external aid which interest will
extend to US, the day is not far distant when we
shall have fully recovered from the terrible
effects of the war in which we have been engaged,
and they viii be rapidly fading from our remem-
brance in the presence Of the renewed pros
perity we shall be enjoying. Be Of good cheer!