The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-08-12
A FABLE.


But modern experience contracdicts this no
ton. The developments of Radicalism revea
depths of stupidity and iniquity which were
not fathomed, or even dreamt of, in the ia
bulizing philosophy of other times. To illus
trate these revelations new fables are demand
ed-one of which runneth thus
In fair and productive valley stood a-well
built, spacious and commodious mansion. 1t:
architecture combined happily the element:
of utility and beauty; abundsntly sttesting
wealth, but scrupulously excluding ostenta-
ton. Shoddy, pinchbeck, paste diamonds,
and all the like shams, were as strange in that
house as envy, discord, discomfort and want
family of the proprietor-a man of benign but
dignifed aspect, and of manners in which were
rarely blended patriarchal simplicity with
courtly suavity-was very numerous; and
while all its members bore a general resemb-
lance, they presented enough diversity to give
zest to their intercourse and to free them from
dependence upon the outside world for social
amusement and recreation. Yet nowhere was
the stranger more welcome. In every sense
of hospitality the proprietor and all his house
hold were hospitable to degree never sur
passed. The surrounding grounds were
cultivated in a manner which evinced the
presiding presence of both Judgment and
diligence /; the ruder tolls of agriculture being
performed by laborers of a peculiar race and
character. These people, thrown somehow
upon the neighboring coast, found their way
up this valley, where they would undoubted-
ly have persisted in contact with the sharp and
merciless edge of an utilitarian civilization,
as the wild beast and the red Indian had al
ready penshed; had not the considerate and
humane owner of the estate concluded to save
them by utilizing them. Subordinated to a
higher and stronger nature, they were kept
from colliding with antagonistic forces that
would have pulverized them and while useful
to the world at large, they were themselves
comfortable and happy beyond the previous
experience of their race anywhere.
But, in the course of time, a great calamity
fell upon this valley. 1t was swept by hurri-
cane and shaken by earthquake. Its fields
were desolated by floods. The tillers of its
fields were dispersed its Aocks and herds
were scattered. The destruction of both life
and property was fearful. But at length the
CONFUSION began to cease, and the winds
and waters began to subside; and the proprie-
tor of the domain, who had managed to pre-
serve his mansion, and many of his store
houses and workshops, thanks to the excel
lence of their construction, went forth with
all the male members of his family, in the
hope to rescue from the retreating flood much
Of the substance that was being carried away,
and intent upon putting the estate again in
order, so that it should continue TO be the
seat of industry, plenty, harmony and pros
perity.
No sooner, however, had they set about
this work before a gang of bandits broke into
the mansion and seized all the storehouses
and workshops. They drive the women and
children, with truculent threats and brutal
gibes, into hooks and corners. They delib-
erately gorge themselves with rapine. The |
returning before the rest, unwit- |
tingly enters the house. They seize him,
and bind him, and gag him, and tumbling
him down before his wife, bid her behold his
helpless and piteous situation. The other male
members of the family, coming back in body,
ind the principal doors and windows barred,
md from the others muskets protruding
They demand admission, but are told that
T they attempt to enter they will be shot At
ength the people of neighboring village,
fearing of the outrage, appear on the spot
nd insist that the premises shall be delivered
o the rightful possessors. The bandits, hay
Dg fortified more strongly than ever, answer
We are in possession. According to our
ode, that makes our title complete. We are
be rightful possessors. Go away If you
ersist you will be rebels you will be revo-
lhonists you will stir up civil war. Let US
ave peace, and in order to have peace you
aust not disturb the existing order of things"
the most vicious, degraded and
'rocious of the peculiar race before men
oned have been gathered and armed, some
18th deadly weapons aud some with flaming
and have been told that the house,
18th the remaining occupants, is under their
'ntrol with this proviso, that they must not
'uch any of the more precious and portable
'oils reserved exclusively for the bandit
ing and they are, moreover, bid to be in {
adiness, at an appointed signal, to use
cir weapons and apply their frebrands
lthout hesitation or delay. A bandit spokes- ,
an announces these preparations to the pro- '
sting crowd outside, and says +" You see
hat revolutionary horrors must follow if you
'rsist in disturbing our possession. There &
re, let things remain as they are-let us have S
ace" 1
Such is the condition of peace offered by c
g Radicals-the undisturbed possession of !
nat they have unlaTfully seized and will )
ntinue to hold only for purposes of con-
lued rapine and continued oppression.
distinguished citizen of New Orleans,
10 is lust back from an avtandad 4o,. |