The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1869-06-12
Hon. Jacob Thompson.

reached Oxford, Mississippi, his
home, on the oath April, he re-
ceived a most hearty welcome
from his old friends and neigh
bors. The eloquent Hon. L. @. G.
Lamar delivered an address of
welcome. From Mr.. ThompsOn's
reply we extract the following, as
reported in the Oxonian. 1t will
be read with interest:
HWhile | was in Paris an intelli
gent Frenchman undertook to
prove to me that under the French
Empire, the people were the
purest, happiest and most prosper
GUS in the world; secure in all
personal rights, in the rights of
property, person and reputation;
each man allowed to pursue hap
fpiness in his own way, and certain
of reaping the fruits of his indus
try. He was debarred from one
right only, and that was for his
good and welfare. He had no
voice in the conduct of public af-
fairs. He could hold no public
meetings or criticise the acts of
the Emperor or his officials. Hence
he was exempted from all care
and anxiety on his head, and con-
sequently the Frenchman was a
happy man. Why cannot we, the
conquered South, reason and feel
in the same way.
Under such circumstances, my
opinion is that we ought to imi
: tate, as far as practicable, the ex-
ample of King David. When his
+ child was sick nigh unto death,
5 he mOurned, tasted, Frustrated
r himself, and put on sack cloth;
1 but when the child died, he arose,
: washed himself, put on gay cloth.
/ ting, and appeared to his attend
ant with a cheerful countenance
9 So while our contest lasted, we
J suffered, tasted, prayed, and shed
our blood, and spent our treasures
. freely. Now, that it is over, let us
meet the actualities of life with a
, cheerful brow and manly heart,
: submitting to the inevitable, and
exerting ourselves and families.
Owing to the institution of slave.
ry, which once obtained among
} us, our people have been misun-
derstood and greatly tradueed
: abroad. Let US by industry, skill
and economy, reap all the advan-
} tages which have been placed
within our grasp by the beautiful
) hand of Providence, in our pro.
/ life soil and genial climate.
Let us by the practice of virtue
: and sObriety, and all the charities
5 of life, disarm all criticism. Let
!, us maintain a high standard OF
: education and morality for ou1
youth that they may be fitted fol
all the duties and responsibilities
, which may, by possibility devolve
] upon them. Above all, let us
: struggle with hearty good will
} to build up the waste places, and
secure prosperity and plenty to
5 our people. In all ages the God
. of battles has made some curious
: and inexplicable decisions. But
0 it is not for us to find out the rea
S sons which controlled him. 1t is
| ours only to obey the decision, be
4 cause from it there is no appeal
: In the late war, the power of arms
| decided that we should remain one
r people, now and forever. The
S God of battles decided the case il
!, favor of union. Now the true
S Christian must Justify the ways
e of God to man, and therefore ht
a must say it was wisest and besi
e that the case should be so decided
From this position, as duty is de
n volved upon every man. Eacl
' individual is bound to contribute
l. his mite to make this people {
s strong people strong, happy
It prosperous and glorious. I thinI
e We may all hold the firm assuranc,
Q i'll our minds that the public con
science in the governing section
of the United States will som
S day be awakened; that prejudice
IS uncharitableneSss and ill-willin tn
It end, viii give way to kindnes anC
f. brotherly love; that the heel of tn,
oppressor will be raised; that on
n State governments will be PLACED
> under the influence of the virtue
l. the intelligence, wealth and reli
r gion of the country, and that w
d shall be placed on an equalit,
d with all other citizens of the Uni
I ted States. A great destiny await
e the people of America. We ough
J. and We must contribute our par
o in working it out. We are no