The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1871-01-14


T. MONROE, LA.,s JANUARY IA, 1871.
APPEAL IN BEHALF OF PUBLIC I'M.
:. ...,s ~ PROvEMENTS.
We begin this article with a very
c0Kmon-place assertion Every citi-
zen has certain social and public obi
cations resting upon him, which are
inherent in citizenship, and binding
upon the individual claiming to enjoy
the rights and benefits of society. These
obligations are in part natural and part
conventional, and begin to assert their
force the moment the citizen derives
protection and succor from his fellow
men. He can no more divest himself
VI the responsibility and duties thus
imposed upon. him, than he can of
those he owes to himself, to his kim
dred, Or his offspring, unless he for
swears association with mankind and
becomes a hermit, in which case, he
degenerates into social, intellectual
nonentity.
These few words are PREDATORY to some
thing practical, and which is designed
to have application to a number of peO-
pie. 1t is now the beginning Of a new
year, when we are accustomed to take
a new reckoning and to form plans for
J another tWelve-months. In these plans,
in. the Southern country, it too fire.
,quently happens that the citizen incor-
porates nothing, whatever, intended to
redeem HIS implied pledges to his coun-
try and his people. He sets forward
alone, bent upon his own aggrandize-
naent, careless of society, of the general
advancement, and apparently totally
+, ignorant that he possesses dual charac-
ter,-that of the Individual combined
with that of the citizen. He takes into
account only what will profit himself,
or prevent disaster to his expectations,
and intently plods on, not caring for
the public good, for his. neighbours
prosperity, or the Improvement of his
parish or State; and at the close of the
year-as is now the case with too many
Of BAhe looks back to find that his
selfish example has been closely fol-
lowed, and that in the general rush for
sell, he has remained stationery in for
tune, and his community is only weak
ened by the indiscriminate hurry and
anxiety to accomplish private ends.
Or, if he has gained in purse, he may
trace the gain to a loss in the general
account of progress.
What we need in this country is a
more activea and energetic public spirit
a discharging of those obligations to
which we have referred, resting upon
every member of our social and politi-
cal system. 1t is often urged that our
only need is capital. To this, we re-
ply, that capital is cowardly, and that
'swherever there is will there is IL
way" is an unpleasant truth--our peo-
pie are too inactive and too selfish. Ev-
cry community has it's leading men who
are looked to us Oracles and as leaders,
and yet, who are eternally croaking or
hanging back-for some one else to
arouse public opinion-possibly in OPP
position to their predictions,-andt then
they come forward, to take the lead os-
tensibly, but in reality, to prove a dead
weight, simply because they lack vigor
and energy.
Let us illustrate: Here is IL man of
large possessions, extensive influence,
some capital, and by reason of all his
surroundings, expectations, and, per-
haps, honors, has IL very deep interest
in the advancement of his parish His
opinions are oracular, his name ga tower
Of strength" his identity with the
country and people of long standing,
his connections extensive, and his
power to do good, almost unlimited.
Approach this man, with all possible
confidence that he will readily encour
age every public enterprise, and you
will find that, with all his splendid en-
dowments and honors, his public zeal
amounts to nothing. We have often
wondered how such men as these-and
they certainly esist-are enabled in
figuring up their accounts with a ra-
tional responsibility, to come within
fifty per cent. of balance.
1t is a sad commentary upon ones
life, if, possessed OF the influence, tai
ents and means to make his people and
his section happy and prosperous, he
~ y1,n rc,fe,