The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1865-09-13
PROUD. BRAVE AND NOBLE.

PROUD, BRAVE AND NOBLE.
Proud, brave, noble without @ tarnish
upon her banner, without blemish upon
her fair fame, respected at home and honor
ed abroad for all the manly qualities that
have been developed in peace or war, the
South rests rom her struggle. With the
prejudices offifty years, aud the education
Of century moving the hearts of the peo-
pie, she dared the perils Of d revolution, en-
Icountered all its sacrifices, suffered its agony,
and without stint gave men who lived great
lives and in death are not forgotten. She
failed. and her sorrows will become as "old
as kings of a grand and peerless line" She
stands before the world to-day, not humilia-
ted, but depressed; not conquered but cast
down. n new life opens to her view.
Brought by force back into Union from
which she had discovered herself as by the
voice Of one man. she finds presented to her
new conditions Of political existence. The
cd fabric Of society is undermined and is in
ruins. Old institutions that gave her
wealth and power and contributed to the
prosperous greatness Of the common coun-
+ try are gone forever. As anation the South
starts afresh. She commences another lease
of existence; and under a system with which
she is all lnaequainted, the aggressive, i'm
patient spiril Of the North demands that
she shall at once md without restraint
succumb to the new relations that have
been created by the war. We believe that
she will. Before the South there looms up
the forest Of a mighty future, that will give
shade to those who may reap the harvest.
But the seed must be planted now. by the
voices Of their living and their dead, the
people are called upon to work now while
the day lasts. Great duties are to be done;
Tremendous responsibilities are at stake.
The men who hereafter represent the
thoughts andinterests OF the South, must be
and have been true to her in head and heart
and hand, They viii come to Congress,
they will be called upon to mingle their in.
auences should illustrate the South or
nothing at all. We want earnestness, truth
reality; and when brave man who has
Etonght, be it morally Or. physically, through
this war in behalf Of his cause, and con
scientiously comes forward, acknowledging
his defeat, and pledglpg himself to future
support of the Constitution and laws of the
United States, we would rather see such ar
one standing upon the floor Of Congress te
express the will Of his people, or occupying
la station of honor and trust than all the so
called loyal nen Of the South" so plainly
quick to do their masters work; in whom
God has breathed the breath life We say
therefore to the people Of the South: cleo
to your public Offices your best eitizens--
mot those who have played the hypocrltt
during the war and the traitor since, bp
men whom you have tried In the fire ans
F.n0t found wanting-1nen who have sealet
I their devotion to your cause and shared
your veal and woe. let no arbitrary pow
er of sword OF bayonet, or threat of radica
politicians deter you il this sovereign
fright. 90 into the Union aud vote. 70,
!, will come to the doors Of Congress as I,
Union party, aud you will be admitted o
such; or, by the grace Of God, there viii b
a scbisnl in the ranks Of your enemies, TIA
/ will scatter them to the four winds of hea
ven. We want, likewise, new men as wei
as true. The issues d stined to arise il
the halls Of national legislation, dealapt
young, fresh thoughts ard vigorous brains
i The era is one OF reform, the spirit Of TIL
age is progressive, and to foster its good o
combat its evil, will require the brightes
aud bravest intellects that illuminate tn
! Soath. For a while they may be sup
! pressed. Obstacles may be thrown in tht
:. way Of their election, or acceptance, bu
let the people preserve. Change, if ALSO
!. lutely necessary the object Of your choici
/ but yield not one ;jot Or title Of the righ
il (which the law OF the laud confers, and be
4 fore many months have. elapsed it will b
! discovered that, if the South be true to her
self, the majority Of the people Of the NORTH
: whether known by one political name Q
) another, viii be equally firm IN the assei
! ton and maintenance Of a free government
With this cooperation secured, The Sout
:, will once more feel throbbing within he
veins some Of her ancient glory, and fisin
from the dust, she will enter the race tina
! is set before her, aud win, perhaps, noble
triumph than any Of which she dares t
> dream. N. Z. News.