The Shasta courier., 1871-09-30
A CHANGE OF HEART.

a disposition to profit by the lessons of their
recent defeat, and some manifest unmis-
taxable signs of "change of heart" Our
pious friend, Parson Fitzgerald, may be
counted in this category. In the language
of the ungodly, the Parson has switched. /"
We had never dared to hope to witness
that good time when he should raise up
his ecclesiastical voice and eulogise the
Star Spangled Banner, yet, that very thing
hath be done. At the dedication of the
Oakland High School On Saturday last, the
Parson was present in all the glory of his
white choker, ecclesiastical coat of the
semimilitary cut, and countenance bearing
all the concentrated goodness of the tenets
of the M E. Church South. The orator
of the day was Hon. John F. FELTON,,
whose discourse was replete with patriotic
suggestions. The Parson caught the in
spiration of the moment and determined
to go FELTON, Zone better" lie banished
his beloved Dixie momentarily from his
mind, the Lost Cause was temporarily dis
pc sed of with Podsnapian sweep, the
shepherds eyes we're rolled up at the pro-
per sanctimonious angle, the clerical under
Jaw relaxed and the Parson proceeded.
The reports in the papers, which happily
agree, state that he assured his audience
that the people Of the Pacific States would
continue in their present relation to the
American Union, and would rally under
the Stars and Stripes Gas long as the Stars
and Stripes waved in the sun light Of
Heaven" The Parsons language is a
little ambiguous here. 1t may be that
when the Stars and Stripes are obscured in
the smoke of rebellion, they cease to wave
sin the sunlight of Heaven" in which
case the Parson would not be as confident
in predicting course Of the Pacific States.
Aud we do not propose to be technical OF
unjust and will presume that the Parson
intended patriotic figure Of speech, the
sentiment of which was fevently uttered,
without mental reservation. The Parson
further remarked that the school houses
were "citadels of liberty" y."-an expression
not original with him, we grieve to say -
and would do more to protect US from in
vason ethan line of bristling bayonets OF
fortresses black with heavy cannon" We
are pleased to have the saction of such
eminent authority on the advantage OF
schools and education. In this view he is
in happy accord with the Republican
party, and will no doubt be greatly pleased
when the next Legislature passes law
requiring every parent to bestow upon his
child the inestimal lie pri, ilege of which be
has so high and deserved an appreciation.
Ifin carrying out this wise measure it
should become necessary to abolish Nc
Gufey's Reader and The Confederate
Primer, we have no doubt that the Parson
will submit to the change with Christian
fortitude, consoled by the reflection that
there must be martyrs in all great reforms,
and that publishers and their friends
must bear the burdens of martyrdom with
the rest We are pleased to see brother
Fitzgerald on the "anxlous seat" aud
trust that the congregation will now come
forward and press him by the hand.
While his conversion is to recent TO gain
him seat "on the right" let us hope that
he will enjoy many years OF quiet life ad-
ministering the gospel according to the
interpretations of the NJ. E Church Soul b,
and that he may witness the foundation
laying of such system under the wise ad-
ministration of Professor Bolander, as
shall educate all the rising generation, and
thereby give assurances that the Stars and
Stripes shall always "wave in the sunlight
of heaven. II Marysville Appeal.