The Sweetwater enterprise. (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1869-187?, 1870-02-03
PHILOSOPHY.
Words of sOberness and Truth from
an Ex-Rebel,

an Ex-Rebel.
The following article under the above
heading, has been handed US, with the re-
quest that we give it a place in our col
umns, every word of which wo endorse,
and commend to the careful perusal of
our readers. We do not know where, or
in what paper the article first appeared, or
we would give it proper credit. The per-
son who handed it to US is of the opinion
that he clipped it from an Alabama paper.
Il does not matter with us as to the name
of the author. Yet it is an article that
should be read aud put in force by all
southern people, and especially those who
were engaged in the late war, The srti-
Gle reads as follows:
"During the late fratricidal strife, which
drenched the land with blood and walked
all the passions of human nature, enmi-
ties were contracted and bitterness engen-
dered which ought now be forgatton-
buried in the tomb Of the Capulets! We
know how ntenacious memory is, and,
when we think we have endured wrongs,
be they real or imaginary, how hard it is
to Grace them from her tablets. The man
raised in the lap of luxury, who has reyel-
ed in the enjoyment of wealth, pines and
laments when his wealth takes wings. The
politician, whose ambition bids him seek
office, and whose vanity persuades him the
Government cannot we'll be kept moving
without the aid of his services, when de-
feated. by the popular verdict, thinks the
country is ruined, and, Disguised with
politics, descants upon demagogueism,
loses a hope for the country in the future,
aud thinks republican government is a
failure.
Are not some of our Southern people
too much like the characters above de-
scribedl We waged war for the ndepen-
dence of the Confederacy-we fought gall
lantly-our braves yielded up their lives
in defense of what they conceived their
rights, but We lost! The C~onfederacy
went down to rise no more. 1t is now only
a memory of the pasta thing that was but
will never be again. Let it be forgotten.
The gallant spirits whose lives were sacri-
feed for its success will not be dishonored
by the course pursued.
What good can be accomplished by
brooding over wrongs which are irrepara-
bic
1t is true we have had much that was
unpleasant-much that was calculated to
humiliate us since the close of the late
civil war. But whether the Congressional
enactments made for our government were
wise or unwise-cOnceived in hate or de-
signed for the good of the country-is not
now so important or material. Whatever
evil in this line MAY be in store for us in
the future is bound to be ephemeral and
short-lived. Right will ultimately pre-
vail and the people in this country will
rule in spite of all efforts of cliques and
of6ce-seekers to the contrary. We can,
therefore, see no cause for lamentations
ana evil forebodings. The future is bright
and cheering. We connot only live COM
fortably but we can make money, and we
can enjoy the pleasure of life. We can
push our achievements as far as our will
will lead us. We can follow the bent of
our inclinations, pursue whatever calling
suits us, and our success is only limited
by the extent Of our exerti6ns. Why
crowd the mind With bitter memories of
the past z 40
Such is not our true policy. Let the
past be forgotten, and let our thoughts be
of the future. All we have to do is to 60
to work, and our success will be commen
surate with our efforts. Let US build up
our country. Let private fortunes be re-
paired, and public improvements-b inau.
gurated. Let there be no folding of the
hands, and repining and complaining or
account of the failures Of the past. Lei
us pluck the bright flowers which are
strewn along the pathway of the future