The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-09-15

i give us sure ana rapid communication
1 with the rest of the world, and to es-
tablish schools, colleges and churches
in word, to malseous a civilized and
enlighted people, according to the ideas
oftle age in which we live. But if
we play the politician, and abuse all
newcomers alike and worse still, by
mob-law maltreat them il, person or
property, we drive away the well dis
posed, who want peace and quiet, and
1--WE invite the evil-minded and the tur-
bulent'who hope to grow rich out of
our lawlessncss and violence. Z
F. Be then law abiding. Want OF res
pect for law and order, for the authori-
ty OF the Government, the. parent and
the teacher, is one of the greatest cur
scs of our Whole American people. OF
us it may be said, that We are free to
do wrong, with very little inclination
to do right; and Of all the nations of
the earth, Iregret to say that I believe
we are the most dishonest,an corrupt.
May you, my young friends, prove ex-
certions to this general rule, and to
the rising generation set the example
of integrity of character and obedience
to the laws Of the land, going diligent-
~ to work at some respectable calling,
Winding your own business, and letting
others alone. Such a course only will
reconstruct Louisiana, and no other can
make You good and prosperous citi-
zens. e9-'sf i3Hf 5itefst taT5'iesi' - =
Avoid politics ana politicians, as you
would the plague or d pcstilence.
Petty politics and petty politicians, of
the pot-housc and the crossroads,
have destroyed this once happy South,
God knows We have had enough of pol2
iticsi It is a filthy pool in which no
gentleman can dabblc, without getting
befouled. Between the professional
politician, the professional gambler,
and the professional robbcr, there can
morally be but little difference. All
are dishonest alike. Occasionally, but
rarely, the Office seeks tho honest MANI
but he soon becomes SO much DISCUS
ted with the fraud and corruption
around him, that he would infinitely
prefer the post of a private citizen.
Such a condition of things this Gov
eminent cannot long stand. It must
soon go to pieces, and our liberties be
gone too; and all the work of the vile
politician. l do not speak of such poll.
iticians as were Adams and jefferson,
Webster and Clay. They were states
men. Imean the, small politician of
these degenerate. days. p
Be sure to be honest and truthful.
just and generous, modest and consid-
crate, courteous and polite; respecting
every honest man, however humble he
may be; never giving an insult, never
taking one. But above all, Undue
your minds and feelings thoroughly
with tho teachings OF Christianity The
honors Of this world are as nothing, if
your hopes are not anchored in Heaven,
b Lastly, be true to yourself, your
country and your God; and success in
this life and happiness in that to come
must be your reward. ~ 4fgi
All this, young gentlemen, you have
heard before; you will be the more apt
to recollect it. Act on it, is our part
ing request; and if you do not become
great men, learned and wise, you will
at least be good men and Christians,
and useful and respectable citizens.
Louisiana expects you to do your
duty to yourselves and to her. You
should be proud of your native State,
poor and BUNDLED as she now is, and
leaveno effort untried to lift her up out
of the dust into which she, has been
kicked by politics and war. Apeople
to whom God has given the delta of the
Mississippi as a dwelling place, in
whose VEINS mingles the best blood of
France and England, and who have sd
recently proved themselves on hun
drcd bloody fields, in cause they be-
lieved to be right, to be among "tlle
bravest OF the brave" can be no ordi-
nary race. A brilliant future must
await Louisiana, if her sons use Alright
their advantages; but they, noble,
and brave, and generous as they are
you, and /, and all of us, have our
faults, our ugly faults. As your teacher
l have often told you plainly what
they are, with the hope that you, of
the rising generations, would correct
them, and inaugurate better system
OF things, by which Louisiana can be-
come peaceful and plentiful, powerful
and free. e a5 -
1t only remains for me to deliver
your diplomas, invoke upon you the
blessing of God, and bid you a long
aud affectionate farewell.
~ Stolen by Indians.
Thirty-tllree year ago there lived in
Lewiston, Logan County, Ohio, far