New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-01-01
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eye look lutO the pAAtI EBnVeeu AuuuAo1
and sixty-seVen Is gone forever, and il q
part Of the experience Of ell living BEINGS
part of their minds, part OF their hearts,
part of their souls, part of the material
framework of their bodies, and part Of the
immortal essence Of their spirits, Life, it
has been said, consists Of the variety OF ex-
periences, and character Of the quality of
them. We all know that we have ex-
perienced someihisg during the year that
is past we all knew the quantity and
quality of that experience. We can with a
little thought sum up the growth or decay
of our bodies, and with q little thought the
growth or decay Of eur minds. Matter
and mind never rest. Growth and decay
are universal laws, bat cut Of growth AID
decay other and higher laws and princi-
pies arise, other truths are evolved, other
bodies and other souls are created.
The life Of nations like the life Of indi-
viduals consists Of the variety of their ex-
periences, and their characters OF the
quality of them. Like individuals they
grow and decay and pass away from the
sight Of men, but as they grow and as they
decay other and higher and purer nstiens
are evolved, other and higher principles
become known as universal laws, other and
higher ideals Of government and humanity
rise to urge and to lead as to a
higher destiny. The year that we
now count Gmong the past and
that has added one more to our lives and
taken one away from our approach to the
grave has not been uneventfHl. To us Of the
South it has beea full Of peculiar expert
ence, perhaps not as such As we could have
wished, hut still it has not been without
value and not without hope. Many can
not see much to be thankful for, and yet if
they could come up to our standpoint we
think they might see mere to- eAcsurge
than discourage them. The bitter feelings
engendered by the war are passing away.
The fires Of hate are going out.
The desire to lead truer and RObler lives
is becoming manifest. Men who never la
bored, and could never be induced to labor
before, with either mind or bsdy, are be-
ginning to see that they must either work
or starve. In this last simple fact there in
much to encourage. Men at useful work
with mind or body are seldom bad men.
Idleness engenders vice, vice crime, crime
riots, civil commStions, wars, and desOla-
tiop. Men who do not inherit but them
selves accumulate fortunes are the last to
encourage or engage in war. What they
have labored years to amGss they are 10th
to see pass away in the war and smSke Of
battle, even ii the battle be fought to save
a nations homer. The Southern people
who never worked before are beginning to
work now, and in throwing down the re-
volyer, putting aside the brandy bottle, and
in taking hold Of tho pillow, aud taking up
he hoe. aEe giving promise Of better and
more independent manhood in the future
then they ever Ventured to claim in the
past. A false aristOeraey is passing away
and genuine one, based npoR energy and
purity OF life and character, is takingI lis
place. Men who have not yet gone to work
still hate, and 50 long As they will not
work and continue 70 hate. just so
long those who are ready and anxious to
assist them will stand aloof. But the men
whs went to work the monent they laid
down their arms'are the men who have the
leastlhate to-day in their bosOms, and they
are the men who are'ncW urging mot only
the material restoration, but the political
reconstruction Of the states In which their
lot is cast. Who hates General Longstreet
to-day because he vas the ablest and most
obstinate general il the confederate aervicef
There is not 3 loyal family in the whole
country that viii NOT be glad 70 receive
him Is guest. On the other hand We have
heard these Hhe, > year age, were the most
indignant rebals say they would he glad
"a ycse fcr1 l4eaesal .CzranA tn khaaA ax
preAsioRa Of opinion from different seciions
of the country there is much to encourage
and make glad the hearts Of all We hear
the words @Rebel" nnd Yankee less,
and the word ssAmesicahn more AnatiOnal
prids Is npringing up. Tbs gigantic enter
pEisas Of The day -ass snlarging the mindu
Of The masses, andin their very ideal con
cepti0n aIe meana oEolxilizAtion. The con-
anepk spanned b. : rallrcad four thousand
miles long. crossing tho Rocky mountains,
and bringing Asia within a fsH weeks sail Of
MI Even rebels can not hns admire, and
il their aanirasion cos NOT but respect The
energy Of the people Who csnceired and
built such a highway. GFeA idsas make
great nehAnen are great Gully IS thsir
ideas are great Great men make : great
nation . great nation IN turn iifla up and
inakea all wiahia ii great. The Roman
oitizen ieit great and pFoud because She
men WhO ruled Rome were afsnt and proud,
and to men uhefplsd home were great
becsuas fley had The lnihaa 10 eeaeeivs and
energy = execute great saeas.
W feW geaia how insignincsnt viii III
4 thess lilile and prplob "a halrsds seeln
oaa i aAponible tAas ihe Cay mIallops d
white peoRNihIe country win Nonlaia Be-
iere eneikeE eusas 5 called Vt ~
a. 10 enoasesea bseaaBs re,
q foar millleaa coI1fed 0pl,
hsrs small voice ileptiue ibs &
uhde oA tlley afs sIlsa Is i've
va Do not helIsve It. Qn conirarv
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