The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-06-07
What are the Duties Of the HourG

What are the duties OF the hour2 This
the momentous question that presses itself upo
the attention of the people now. Every mai
has an interest in it. Every man is discussia,
it. 1t is % be expected that on this, as upol
all other topics of public importance, our view
should be given freely and with candor
First and foremost, then, we consider it th'
duty of every man to share the fate of his
country. Those who claim and hold citizen
ship in Texas should stand by Texas now, til
the momentous questions of the hour are set
tied To leave, is to avoid responsibility. To
leave, is, in some cases, to escape danger
which those behind must meet and face. To
leave, under these circumstances, is, in our
view, to show lack of moral courage, which,
after all, is the true test of manlineas.
Thousands of our citizens who are as deep in
the affairs of the last four years as any, cannot
leave at ALL The public sentiment of the State,
as mass, has hitherto been united. Let it re-
main united, and let the character that attaches
to union of sentiment, and the moral weight
of such union, be felt for the benefit of all
To what place shall we exile ourselves if we
will? Shall we 60 to Mexico for peace? The
past history and present prospects of Mexico do
not hold out that olive branch to US. Besides,
there is a war raging there, to which the weight
of thousands upon thousands of Federal bay
onets will soon be added on the side of liberal
ism. Do what we might, and wish what we
will, FIVE years will not elapse before the empire
of Macmillan win be swept away, and the
Mexican States viii elect members to the Con-
gress at Washington. Indeed, at this moment,
the Monroe doctrine, as it was ten years ago in
the South, is regarded by many hitherto seees-
sionists as the bridge to cordial reunion Of
the American States.
But shall we go to Brazil? That is wild
country, poor country, weak country, and a
in which we might hide for gener-
alton, but in which we could never enjoy rights
Of any kind. Leaving our homes for political
reasons, we should always be regarded, with
inc eye of suspicion, as dangerous element in
any society, and our situation would thus be
lisagreeable in the extreme.
Shall we go to Europe9 There we find our
selves an element not readily united with the
mass of the society, and there too, we viii find
10 certainty of peace. There, also, We find
ourselves under the protection of no nation, |
md, consequently, the subjects of obnoxious
avs and influences that would render a res
denee unhappy.
Equally prominent objections present them
elves to voluntary exile in any direction, while |
ZONE associations, home influences, home friend
hips, etc, all demand that we should stay by
nd stand or fall with our homes, while we are
BILE to do so.
These remarks may seem, to some persons,
o be in advance Of the times, but events move
low rapidly, and while our distant readers are
Undergoing the humiliation of confessed fail
re, we have passed that stage, and are watch
ng to take such advantage of the circumstances
8 we may. We began to go into the Valley of
humiliation weeks I've had almost said months
go. We trusted that, for the people, the
readed cup might pass, But in Gods Prov
lenee it has come. Let them not foolishly
eek to escape it, but drink it manfully. Ac-
apt the situation and make the most of it.
Let every man stay where he belongs. Let
ublic order be preserved, aud puolic authority
espected. At any rate, let us await events,
nd see what we have to endure Let US not
y from unknown and, perhaps, to some extent,
naginary ills to those we do know to be unen-
urable; especially, when, in doing so, we avoid
duty and danger which others, as good as
e, must meet Houston Telegraph.