The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1866-10-27
Adversely.

AiHutJ OdAs ApEOOGcA VI DAOn6A Ola Ny
the tornado, never to rise again while
others bend to the resistless pressure,
and, when the storm has passed away,
gradually assume their erect position,
and once more thrive and flourish in the
dews and sunshine of heaven. The
real character of many is not known
until exposed by this infallible test.
Some have baen deemed unselfish and
generous. while surrounded with afflu-
ence. and able to dispense hospitality
and benefits to others, without any
sacrifice of their own ease and COM
fort: but let adversely strip them of
their broad lands and uncounted means.
and compel them TO daily toll and care
for subsistence, and you find them as
selfish, as niggardly and as unfeeling
as others. Some are thought very
amiable and pious. as long as there is
no strain upon their temper or virtue,
but when forced by adverse circumstan-
ces into contact with the rude and
vicious, they exhibit violence and de-
pravity, and prove their good temper
and piety but sham. Prosperity has
few temptations. She can afford to be
honest and virtuous. Her friends are
so numerous as, some times, to be
troublesome. Adversely, on the con-
trary, is constantly surrounded with
enemies tempted at every point, as
sailed from without and within, and
obliged to be always on guard. The
hearts of some are softened, the hearts
of others hardened by adversely. To
some she imparts new energy, new
strength of mind and body, and devel-
ops resources hitherto dormant and
unknown even to the possessors. To
these she is like the furnace, that puri-
/ fees and refnes the real metal, while
to others she is consuming fire, that
leaves nothing bat dross and ashes.
For the last five or six years, the South
ern States have been severely tried by
adversely. Forced, as they believe into
a separation from their sister States, in
order to preserve an institution, handed
| down to them as their inheritance. they
suffered, during its continuance, all the
terrible calamities of war, and are now
left, shorn Of POLITICAL power, humili
ated, impoverished and in debt. During
the mighty struggle, they bore them
selves with becoming fortitude and dig
nifty, and since their submission to su .
perior force, which they were unable
longer to resist, they have acted with
q resignation. forbarance and wisdom,
and shown an energy and determin
alton, which looks well, and will give
them character and credit in the eyes
of an impartial world. We trust they
will continue to hold up firmly and
bravely under the great weight still
pressing upon them. The Southern
people, as individuals, while the con-
test for independence was raging
around them and in their midst, while
their towns were burned, their lands
ravaged. and their homes made des-
olate, exhibited courage, consistency
and perseverance. which have scarcely
a parallel in history; and now, when
the great social system, to which they
had been accustomed, has been de-
stroyed, their property taken from
them. and they reduced from affluence
and luxury, in many INSTANCES to alb
solute want, they present, in their ad-
versity, spectacle of still more exalt-
ed heroism. They have not folded
their arms and sat down for time to
complete the more active destruction
of war. They have risen superior to
misfortune, girded up their loins for
the more trying hettles of peace, and
gone vigorously to work to save what
remains of the wreck, and to build up
new homes and new fortunes. South.
ern character has stood the trying test
OF adversely, and shines brighter I'M
der her influence, teachings and chas-
tisements. The South has reason to
be proud of her brave sons aud her
lovely daughters. They have shone
themselves able to bear up under the
loss of every thing but honor. Let
them preserve in well doing. be ready
for still further trials, and hope on to
the last.-[ dustin (Teras) Gazette.