New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-03-29


ences, and higher literature, are ably
edited and well supported, and the tone
and talent of our leading weekly and
daily newspapers have markedly i'm
proved.
As Americans let us cultivate and
patronize our own literature, just as
we ought to first see the glorious
beauties of scenery of our own rivers,
plains, valleys, and mountains, ere we
rush off to visit Switzerland, Italy, and
the lochs of Scotland. | appreciate
the writings of Mr.. Dickens and of Sir
Walter Scott very highly, but I have
yet to learn that they surpass in
beauty, truth, or pathos those of our
own beloved Irving or Prescott. Our
Bancroft and Motley take rank side
by side with the illustrious historians
of this or any other age.
1t has been said, and 1 believe truly,
that Washington Irving as writer is
more highly esteemed in Great Britain
than in his own country. 1t is to our
shame that it is so. His own life early
blighted by the untimely death of the
lady he loved, yet, though he lived an
old bachelor he did not become
soured. We find ever in his writings
genial good nature, keen humor, and
set forth most prominently reverent
regard for the God Of nature, and the
enunciation of pure principles of good
will for our fellow man.
T., raoro-J 60 tho opnoT1nr n
of prurient literature, few of US have
so little influence but that we can do
something to check its spread, We
can recommend the better class Of
journals and of light literature-for
people must be amused, if not inno-
Gently, still amused. It. is neither
necessary nor desirable that, like GER
tain periodicals and papers of doubt
full character, we should so far go into
particulars about the Objectionable
features of the satanic press as to ex-
cite the curiosity of the young on the
subject. Let us use common sense on
the subject; who in society is more
disliked or more dreaded than the un-
scrupulous scandal monger? who
from lack of brains or want of good
nature can see none but evil intentions
in the acts, remarks, and tones of those
he associates With, and who deliber-
ately perverts the Specification of
things said or done.
While it is, of course, our duty to
discourage vice, and whenever proper
to express our hearty detestation of
it, we should yet be charitable enough
not to impute bad motives where we
may reasonably doubt their existence,
and still less not to close unalterably
the doors of repentance and return
against even the evil doer.
AS Webster has said, "'Tis en-
ployment that makes people happy.
An idle population is always corrupt;
but the present state of corruption in
our country is, l doubt not, greatly
exaggerated; and it must subside when
the suddenly enriched "sheddyites"
and petroleum princes, find gain their
true level, as they will when their
wealth is squandered.
In our country wealth should NOT
entitle to social standing. We should
know no aristecracy save that consti-
tuted by learning, piety, and good
breeding, and this class Of aristocrats
are rarely considered Objectionable
by any sane person.
We agree, l think, that we would
exclude the scandal monger and the
INSCRIPTIONS fault finder from oul
society as devoid of good taste, goot
sense, or good breeding. So let us
in our literary recreations or studies
exclude all that does not breathe 6
spirit of fairness and of good feeling
toward our fellow man.
| ] should be very sorry to be under
stood as excluding from the scope O
literature satire, when necessary tt
expunge by this effective weapon somt
social blot, as for example Mr.. Thack
eray's onslaught on the military ant
civil social snobs of the present cen
fury. Serious diseases sometimes de
mand severe remedies.
When we read let US read something
instructive, or if we are weary anC
need to be exhilarated by the spice o
wit or humor, let US choose those witt
who display good feeling for their fell
lows.
How much more sparkling and truly
permanent in its effect is that pleas
antry intruding ON no. one's feelings
yet that all can enjoy. By such |
choice we must promote our own hap
piness and recommend ourselves t.
our associates.