The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1869-09-11

our venerable contemporary, the new
Orleans Bee, of the 1st inst, reached US,
announcing the forty-third anniversary of
its existence. Although this announce.
ment has elected mach favorable comment
from the press of the State, which has
been extensively read, we feel that the
occasion, with its associations, requires
from us, more than a passing notice. To
the people of Opelousas and Attakapas
especially, the Bee has been a welcome
companion for more than a generation.
Published with equal ability in English
and French, it has been the journal above
all others, which has been most consulted
by our creole population. Men whose days
are now in the scar and yellow Leaf" de.
rived their FIRST impressions of the busy
world from its columns. 1t comes to US Al
this time, fragrant with the associations o.
the past. 1t has been the medium of com,
munication between our fathers and the
public. It has participated in the struggles
which agitated the public mind a century
ago. 1t has witnessed the greatest socia'
revolution recorded in the history of the
human race, in the sudden emancipation
and political enfranchisement of four mil
lions of slaves. 1t has witnessed the rise,
the progress and the fall Of great political
combinations. 1t has seen the Union in
the plenitude of power, and the exuberance
of its wealth, concernd as to what it should
do With the surplus revenue accumulated
in its bursting Golfers. 1t has seen the
same Union, belligerent and DESCENDANT,
passing through a bloody civil war, unpar.
alleled in history, and burdened with a ma.
tional debt, the interest of which is compu'
ted by millions. It has recorded the
stirring events Of a foreign war, in which
the volunteer armies Of the North and
South, united under a common flag, march
ed VIGOROUSLY from Palo Alto to Buena
Vista, and from Vera Cruz to Mexico
achieving victories which gave imperishable
lustre to the national arms. 1t has seer
the same gallant officers, arrayed against
each other in q gigantic civil war, which
threatened the dissolution OF the American
Union, and startled the civilized world. I,
nov witnesses the restoration of peace, the
supremacy Of the national authority, and
the attempt. OF the part of patriotic men,
to heal the wounds Of civil strife, and re-
establish concord and harmony between
the late ~belligerent States.
In the great political struggles of the
country, the Bee has taken an active part.
1t was fourishing during the administra.
ton of General Jackson, and was no
Indifferent spec' ator of the old Wing and
Democratic parties, when they were con.
troled by such intellectual giants as Clay,
and Webster and Calhoun, and Silas
Wright, and others
~ "Of the immortal names,
That were not born to ole"
Throughout this long period, the Bee has
been conducted with q consistency, an
independence, q manliness, and an ~intellec.
tual vigor not unworthy of the great men
whom it lourished. Some of its
Editors have been men of mark in Louisiana:
Professor Alexander Dimitry, noted for his
ripe scholarship, his glowing style, and his
noble heart, once controlled its editorial
Alexander Bullet, q brilliant and
writer, with a mind stored with
varied information, with remarkable pow.
Frs OF reasoning and analysis, and the
,rgan, the friend and adviser Of Zacharie
during his brief administration,
its columns. with his elegant
eaders. At q. later period, the facile pen
md fluent style Of DIR. Harvey, impaired
unusual attraction 10 the editorial depart
nent. s zlsa3F Il. i 5a~5 ,-f' .4;: . 4
The Bee il new, we are gratifed to be
bile to say. as noted as it ever was, for
Independence, frmness, consistency and
There. is an earnestness and q
reshness, avigor and q straight forwsrdness,
bout its editorials, which We ike.
Amidst the mutations, incident to jour
lalism in these troubled times. we trust
hat the Bee may continue to prosper, and
0 exercise over the present generation, the
anne influence for good, that it. did over
he generation that has past. '.:'- -, a