Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-20
A Microscopic View of the snh,ecs.

A Microscopic view Oh tne SnD3ecs.
From the Richmond Times.l
Writers upon entomology and zoology,
have observed and commented upon the fact,
that no animated being is without its para
site. Theminutest insect, when its proper
tions are enlarged to almost gigantic size un-
der the lenses of powerful microscope, is
found to have other insects, still more min
ute than itself, preying upon its system. Nor
are parasites confined to the animal and IN
sect kingdoms. Botany treats of plants
which are without the means of providing
nutriment for themselves, but obtain nour-
ishment immediately from other plants, to
which they attach themselves and whose
juices they absorb.
Parasitical analogies run through all the
concerns and pursuits of life, and parasites
are found in politics, religion, literature and
in the social circle. No sooner dies new
and striking book make its appearance from
the press, than straightway numerous and
hungry crowd Of parasites fasten themselves
upon il, and the criticisms, reviews and notes
with which they plaster the original text,
are the indications of their presence and eff
forts at livelihood. Like parasitical vermin
in the animal and vegetable worlds, they
sometimes smother and overwhelm their
victim by the number and persistency of
their attacks. The only way in which many
commentators, note-makers and reviewers
can get themselves into notice is by parasl-
teal attachment to some authors whose
strength and genius will bear them along,
and thus impart responsibility which 9TH
erwise they could by no possibility attain.
Scotts commentaries upon the Holy Bible,
and Charles Anthon's notes upon the classic
authors, furnish us with examples of the
most decent and respectable class of literary
parasites.
The social parasite viii be easily recog-
nized in persons who shine by reflected light,
derived from individuals upon whom they
dance attendance, either for support, or in
order to enter select society under the wings
of its respectable members. People who
"play second fiddle for their chiefs and pat
rons are numerous in all the walks of social
life. The most prominent example of
the social parasite and second fiddler is Bos-
well, who shone from the borrowed light of
johnson.
There are, also, parasites in journalism.
Whenever a newspaper makes decided hit,
in any of its publications, the little parasites
of the press at once fasten upon the idea,
and soon choke it by their embraces. When
any "Bill Arp" or other correspondent, gets
off good thing there is Immediately a ire
mendous hutter among the parasites, and the
reading public is soon dosed ad nauseam with
bad photography and worse syntax. The
spoliation upon other mems ideas is endless
in its character and varieties, and is contin-
ually occurring in the ephemeral literature
of the day. The thoughtful and intelligent
i
than we have enumerated.
In yastness and extent, political parasites
exceed all Others. The negro, in his politi-
cal aspect and significance, has more para
sites than any other member, either Of the
animal or vegetable kingdom. Calves and
pigs, which die in the spring from the effects
ofvermin accumulated during the winter, do
not suffer as much as cufiee from parasitic
formations. Political parasites, philanthro-
pic parasites, religious parasites, and para
sites of all shades and celors, from Summer
and Stevens down to the meanest peEny-a-
liner of the sensational newspapers, all prey
upon Cufiee, and could not make living
without him. In all other instances of par
asltical phenomenaa1he parasites either re-
duce or kill their 4Hktim, or the victim at /
some period manages to get rid of the par
asltes but there is a vitality and endurance
about the negro, and tenacity and perse-
verance about his parasites, found nowhere
else in nature. They will not break their
hold upon Cufiee nor can they kill him
Experienced. woodmen esteem "black gum "
as a good set-off against thunder" but
Cufiee and his parasites are better matched
still. Az long as Cuffee's carcass is worth
pricking, his parasites will stick to him he
may scratch, wallow, rub and bite, but Sum-
ner and company have their hold upon him
and they are going TO keep it.