The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1870-07-13
Our Civilization.

Under this heading We find in the St. Louis Demo
crat-a leading Radical paper of the West as we have
frequently taken occasion to call t--an article such
as we would have scarcely looked for in its columns
contrast is drawn between the civilization of the so
called effete desposms Of the Old World and that
of " free America, in the following stirling manner
few years ago, certain of these "}fete despot
lsms bad war, and marched indefinite multitudes
of men, each full of patriotic ardor dice pro patria
mort" on his lips and gun in his hand spot called
Solferino There some thousands on &ch side were
blown into the next world by the explosion of gun.
powder in machines Of the latest and fost scientific
construction. Glory " resulted, ana subsequent
peace. Behold now, ON that same feAl, the official
representatives of nations then hostileS common
monument has been reared to the mehory of brave
men who fell there, and both nations unite in the
monies of dedication! Afterwards biz banquet en-.
abled the living to cnk glasses the memory of the
departed brave and doubt the closing hours saw Aus
trian and Frenchman rolling under the table together
to sleep off the same wine
That is the European way of doinh things. The
"elfee despotisms and the "degraded populations
and the "pauper laborers" OF Europs-as the Hon.
Jefferson Brick would put it--have these fashions
They fight and get through with it. Afterwards they
have peace, and unite to honor the memory of men
who devoted their lives to a which they deemed
worthy. The monumental marble speaks the praises
OF gallant men who died in killing each other and
peoples LOT whom lney fought fTdternize the
spot watered with their blood That is the ''effete.
despotsm way Of doing things-to fight get through,
and have peace.
We, however, belong to great country a free
country, progressive country, and boast of civil
zadon considerably higher than the Soerino monu.
ment We light, do not get through with it, and carry
war in our hearts as long as possible thereafter That
is we do if we are correctly represented by some of
our statesmen and editors. Taking them as SAMPLES
OF the civilization of this republic we can Took down
from great moral altitude upon this Solferno monu-
ment.
Begin for example, with such statesmen as Morton,
Drake and Butler These three fought not much while
the war lasted, but they have fought spenddly ever
since. That is one advantage of Western civsza-
ton. We give chance after the war for those to dis
play their fighting qualities who were unhappily I'm.
able to try or trying failed, during the war Every
body will appreciate the improvement These heroes
and others like them have been very brsy with war in
their hearts, and, whenever they could have put it in
TO legislation. Talk of joint monument to McPher.
son and Stonewa Jackson in Drake els presence and
We verify believe he would 20 mad with horror Such
civilization as that is barbarsm from bis lofty altitude
10 fully understand the vgor with which these states.
men conduct the which they are carving on We
should listen to them in Congress- and see how grasp
ing the nag OF their country in one hand and some |
legislative engine of war more dreadful than any
in which powder was burned at Solferno in the other
they rush to the front calling all patriotic men to
follow All it is glorious sight
They are not alone in unfolding the glory of Amer
lean civilization There the editors who berocsly
wave the red flag of exterminang warfare and being
duly paid, either in office cash, or at so much line
(Chroncle fashion, manufacture horrors by the bar
rel create armies Of imaginary followers for the war
rorsn-peace, and prove that not an efete des
potsm ever had such long-eared, obsequous funk
les as our American cyiliz ,tion can boast
For we have new revelation in this country. Il
comes Strengthened from heaven, perhaps, but still
very straight Upon that revelation is built the lofty
civilization of America. Old World civilization with
its " etfete despotism," may build on the very anti
quated notions OF the of GalIilee-" Forgive YOUR
enemies" pray for them that desptefully use youn
" Ny Kingdom is Peace " But our newer, more elo
Ious and ncomparably more advanced civilization of
America is founded on the Gospel of eternal hate!
might we not infer from the above that light is at
IeDgth beginning to dawn in the West if not in the
East9