The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1869-08-14

by our prejudices, not according
to the standard set up by the un-
thinking, who are moved in their
preferences or dislikes by impulse
or passion, or by force of associa-
ton. But reason and reflection
will convince as that he who has
been most highly endowed with
the superior faculties which dis
tinguish him from the irrational
animal, and who employs them in
the service of his fellow men and
in the cause OF virtue, is most
worthy of the esteem and rever-
ence of those among whom he
lives. If we look back and recall
the names of the celebrated men
who mark the eras in Grecian and
Roman history. we will find that
they were most honored who most
actively engaged in promoting the
highest interests of mankind, who
showed in their lives their ardent
desires for the advancement of
morality, and by all their actions
aided to accomplish these noble
aspirations. What assimiIates
man to the divine standard, and
by what title does he claim prece-
dence and'authority over all the
lower orders of creation? Whence
this manifest superloritye Made
in the image of his Lord, it is the
possession of the moral qualities
that gives him his proud pre-emi-
nence. He may boast of a form
OF faults less proportions and CON-
handing presence; he may have
mental endowmeHts of the high
est order and be able to sway lis
tening multitudes with his match
less eloquence-yet with all these
possessions, he may be so poor
that none will do him reverence,
unless he has ViTtWe. This is the
distinguishing prerogative of man,
!snd having this, he EFFORTS adj
miration, while love and rever-
ence follow him whithersoever he
goes. All men, even the most
depraveG and vicious recognize
the infinite superiority of such
men ana inyoluntarily render the
tribute of their respect to the pos
SCISSOR of this God;given gift
On this broad principle, approved
alike by our reason and the teach
ings of our religion, we assert that
the man who lacks this moral
goodness-who does not, in his
intercourse with his fellow-men
consider it to DO his duty to prae-
tice the high duties required of
him and to conform his life and
conversation to the requirements
of morality-has no claim upon
our respect. We may accord him
the notice demanded by courtesy,
but our respect, should be reserv-
ed as distinguishing mark for
those who have proven their title
to the honor. We are at liberty
to admire the productions OF gen
ius though they come from a de-
PRAYED source; our sympathies and
tears may be excited by the clio.
quence of one destitute of every
redeeming trait, but in such feel
ings the mind alone takes part
and, our hearts withhold the re-
spect that would be due and will
ingly rendered, where rare mental
endowments are combined with
moral excellency.
True greatness, then, as may
be inferred from what has been
said, properly consists in the &C.
tive exercise of virtue, and in the
support Of those principles which
adorn the human character. We
never see a truly great man de-
scending to the low arts employed
by demagogues to secure applause;
they never pander to the preju.
dices of the masses whatever may
be the inducements. Neither do
we see them debasing themselves
and perverting the noble faculties
God gave them, by inordinate in
diligence of any kind. On the
contrary, wherever such men may
be, in whatever society, they never
forget their duty to themselves
and to society. Vice attempts no
familiarity and the rude and
coarse avoid them, for there ex-
lists no community of feeling
Moving ever calmly onward, with
a quiet dignity begotten of proper
self respect, never ashamed to do
what is right, spending their lives
in useful service, they possess as
they deserve, the respect and con-
fidence of all whose opinion is
worth striving for, and prove to
tha world nv their daily conduct