Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1873-03-22

49, '~-itttT inc ln'ttct', 10 III
ducr Us 70 sit down in sl0thrui Content
under he superanua.rd weight Of old
prejulices, absurd customs. and anti
quated institutions, and tn put u at
length in the situation of the bird.
which, pressed down hy the hand
within a circle Of chalk, feel an inahii-
ity to break the line which she per-
ceives around her, and remains a fan
cied prisoner. We owe little graft.
tude to these ordinations sticklers of
prescription these indiscriminating
votaries of what has been: these plod-
ding inteilects that would never de-
viate from The beaten track Of their
forefathcrs A.; but who hug to their boS-
oms every thing that is old, merely
because it is old; and would discour-
age every scheme which has for its
end the advantage or improve mt of
the human race, merely because it was
not discovered by their aDcc4 rs, or
is in opposition to some of IL code
and erroneous conceptions Of their
idols of antiquity. II we are deter
mined to respect nothing but what
has the sanction of aye TO recommend
it, we shall do all we can to put a
final stop to the progress of Informal
ton, and will be guilty of the absurd
presumption of saying to the active
intellect of man, Thou canst 20 no
further Let US not fall into the
other extreme however, and suppose
that we of the present day go infinite
ly surpass all who have preceded US,
that their labors are entitled to little
consideration, and their opinions are
OF little importance that every thing
is valuable which can boast ofn0vcltv
or originality and that the wave of
revolution should sweep away the in
stitu,ious which have been reared
with care, merely because the dust of
antiquity is resting upon them. The
propensity to find fault with The meies
and bounds, The maxims, rules, and
ordinances, which our forefathers laid
down for themselves which enabled
them to walk in uprighlness and in
tegity and which consequently offer
to US the highest evidence of their
worth; though by no means so COM
mon a failing, as the one against
which We have spoken, has, however.
been displayed, and that most inju-
riously, by more than one able man
of the present day. The source of
this is often vanity ; the vanity Of be-
ing singular, and appearing above
vulgar prejudice and popular supersti-
ton; truth is often a medium be,wee
two extremes; narrow pathway
with strong temptations on either
side to lead US estray. Few are the
gifted ones that follow it without way
ering, and happy is he whose aherra-
tions are but short and seldom A
belief in cur high capabilities that
we a. e destined to fulfil them; that
we are progressing towards the fulfil
meDt; but tina, we are still at a very,
very great distance from it; seems to
be correct, and is certainly u service
able one. The belief that we are in
q state of progression, will incite and
encourage US; and the conviction that
The goal of our race is afar off, and
that nan is doomed TO toll on for ages
ere be reach it; that his barque mus,
endure the butieting of adverse winds
and experience many oscillations in.
her course, before she anchors in the
desired haven; will prevent vain
confidence, repress a spirit of arro-
gance. and silence the luling sugges.
tions Of self-suiliciency.