The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-06-05
Ftremen's Excursion.

We are greatly pleased to see that two
OF our gallant fire companies, Nos. and 3,
!. are to make an excursion through the
Northern States, and that the City Council
has voted them a subsidy of $500 towards
the expenses Of the occasion. A certain
amount of opposition was met by the reso-
luton, and of a most determined character.
out 1t had to yield to the good sense and
enlightened views of a large majority.
There is much to be said in favor of such
trip. In the first place, the boys deserve
1t. 1t may be very well for gentlemen who
nave been serving the city and General
government in variety of official capaci-
ties through good many years to show a
vlrtuous solicitude about public funds. 1t
belongs to the role of the purse-holder to
hoid 1t tight, and therefore the strepuous
opposition of Mr.. Walton to the project
might have been expected. But that gen.
tieman ought to remember the great differ
ence between serving the city under good
pay, during few seasonable hours of day
light, and serving it without any pay at
ALL at any hour, day or night, with the
greatest exposure of health and risk of
life. If the boys don't ask any pay, they
ought at least to have some play.
linen, again, is it not really on business.
and on public business, too, that thew arc
gong7 If Mr.. Walton's present trim to
New York has the slightest connection with
city affairs, will he not call on the Council
to defray his expenses7 But an enliebt-
ened view of things can readily perceive
tne Importance to the prosperity of our
city OF cultivating friendly relations with
our nelghoors. Every one understands the
business value of social amenities in private
life. How assiduous the merchant prince
Oh cottondom is in his attentions to the
pianIer OF thousand acres when he comes
W Town! How polite the candidate for
'mce' wbo counterfeits every Christian yir-
'ue OF love and humility! Even the ex-
pert lawyer, when anxious for a Judgment
n bad case, does not disdain to take tb.
Judge down to the lake for a fish dinner or
mower MS domestic attentions upon the
Whole Supreme bench.
1t is evident that business is not puided
olely by physical laws, but is considerably
nnuenced by intimacies and friendships.
VIII do very well for the proud hidaigo
eratlfy his naughty exclusiveness at the
2pense OF entailing lordly poverty on
imseif and family. The Chinese system
non-intercourse is good enough for those
mo are ignorant that something better
night be done, but a go ahead, enterprising
eopie' who wish to keep up in the race Of =,
rosperlty, must adopt it's expedients and
'udy Its policy. A single act of polite
sometimes changes n whole
lrrent of feeling into a new channel, and
e friendly trip of our fire companies may
'S loose tide of labor and capital to flow
our direction.
1t is truly gratifying to know that our
'uncil was able to muster six votes against
20 in favor of these liberal and proper
ews of true economy. Mr.. Shaw and
hers deserve great credit for scouting as
ey did the false plea of bankruptcy and
anding an over righteous honesty with
e correct name of niggardlipess.
1t Is also encouraging to know that other
ices view this move in its proper light,
q thit Chicago, Harrisburg and other
les, nave already invited our gallant
Dresentatlves to visit them while on their
,ursion. In one or more of these in
noes the sum appropriated by these COR
Iatiohs to welcome our firemen with
,erous hospitality exceeds the amount
1roprlated to their whole trip by our
nncil, made under the most strenuous
position of our City Treasurer at that.