New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-02-23
Young Mems Association

The president announced Inc Y
subject for discussion, which was
nAre men the architects Of their own
fortunes ~ In the absence of the gen
tleman to lead off on the affirmative,
General Theodore F. Brown volun-
teered as his substitute, and although
he preferred the negative, yet he ar
gued very well against his own con
victions. He referred to the poten-
tial power Of the human will, and gave
Columbus as an illustration of what a
resolute man can do. He was followed
by Mr.. Henry, the appointee for the
negative, He argued that with a will
man must have capacity to rise to
greatness. His view of the subject
was not sustained by the president,
who declared the meaning of the ques-
ton to be that man is responsible for |
his own COED or bad fortune. DR.. C.
lB. White took this view of the sub
| iect, and spoke well and to the point.
Other speakers followed, and the de-
bate passed off pleasantly.
Mr.. Carr, the essayest of the occa-
sion, then read the following interest
ing paper:
COMMERCE, WAR, AND CIVILIZATION.
All history is divided into two dis
+ine+ classes. called sacred and pro-
fame. Within the fields OF neither of
| these do we find anything to Justify
f the conclusion that any portion of the
white race was ever savage. On the
contrary monumental history, the old
S est and most reliable of all history as
I far as this inquiry is concerned, car
ries us back to far-distant past,
where tastes, skill, arts, and industry
5 of those at the time, to which she may
, direct our attention, are holder in de-
sign and execution, more sublime,
J more elaborate, and far more beautiful
i than any Of the present day. 1t is
: true that the achievements then were
not as various as now, but for that
reason were they more sublime, more
d elaborate, and far more beautiful. Men
!, then had time to think, to plan, and to
execute. They were not perplexed
then by the necessity to supply thou
Le sand different wants, which fashion al
4 this day characterizes as necessities.
They did not give their whole time
Is and attention to numerous and various
D. studies and labors, but with that en-
10 ergy and perseverance which has even
= characterized our forefathers of the
Ut past, they cling to the one lone objec
ID which they were pursuing until it wal
q almost perfection itself; for to THU
day some of their inventions are un
10 known to us, and remain mystery
al In all the doings Of the ancents the,
is have displayed great concentration
and continuous exertion of thought
taste, energy, and industry upon fey
IT; objects, and the effect of this is re
nj markably and beautifully apparen
upon all their works of art. But t
g sacred history must we refer on thi
,p, subject CT aboriginal civilization, 70
of she is more exploit and distinct tina
profane. is there any doubt the
as Adam and his descendants were nc
Us, civilized! and does not the Bib
- plainly inform us that those who ez
v listed before the hood were in gres
ed degree yersed in the arts and sciences
-at Noah and his descendants were civ
!, ilized,, and Abraham and his family
~ who were wanderers in the interior {
It'll Arabia we're no doubt far less infOrme
ras than those generally around him. Nes
=, him we find rich Phoenicians who's
~ commerce extended to all parts of th
lid then known world, and not far distaI
ed the rich cities of Jerusalem, Sodon
T. and Gomorrah, all these had intel
= course with the nations far and nea
IS and diffused their light and knowledg
ce. and useful information to those who
j. trade they come in contact with.
'es Now we will find that those livir
led in the citiesupon the seacoast, ard
let. those who were ON the route to ia
- distant India, that they were in a
'nu vance in point Of civilization to tho
ter with whom they traded from the int
the rior.r and as they bought the ri'
goods and wares of one nation al
as sold to that Of another, thereby e
to- riching themselves, they built shil
ght and engaged largely in commerce wi
those who were far, and gathering fro
n all with whom they came in contaC
he in this way their knowledge of the
the arts they gradually got surely robb
81. of the less civilized of the products
nss their skill and ingenuity, and therel
.ers depressed their civilization.
"a Its d subject that admits of no d
pute that q certain amount of eivilz
Ahq ton is kindred to the human race frC
Adam down Some have had the o
.ne portpnifH mud improved it more tn
!, u others, but al have some useful ar
4 some traits BY which this amount
me civilization can IS traced, and there
Ioh rates them aboTe the brute. creation
an equal proportion as those who
W. their intercourse with the yarlo
. I gfaass AM nations and have benefit
sin thereby qfe above the most saya
i. and ignoEants
~ It Is a noticeable fact that saval
lips become more. ignorant as they he
lis intercourse with the civilized, but I
-. il easily explained and accounted
'N What The savage has is clumsy,
a Of calmly and badly made, and badly s.
I'D ply the waAts far which he intends
u. his pr91essof manufacture is tedio
- slow. and Isborious, while those OF
lore mere civilized ne more adapted TO
ans vents, nea&er IN their eonsIrneil
and to him seems chonper BY bart
earn a.. .Ils..s. ~.