New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-10-18

day old "doth hiss the vpeaker." Jour.
nalists who aim to satis ) this craving keer
salaried agents all Over the country-na,
the world-on Constant and sharp look
out for sensational news. To obtain this
at any cost rs their first duty, one detesta'
BILE result of which is the innovation o.
interviewing-an abomination worthy G.
its anomalous name. Another is the dis
sen,ination Of scandal, the appetite FOL
which ''grows with what it feeds on, " til
a morbid condition is produced which
relishes only what is unfit for men
tai food. finding ordinary and whole
some reading fiat and insipid. Al
! for literature in q broader sense, what is
it but novels whose plots come from the
police courts. whose pages, though reek
ing with the details OF murder or befouled
with those of baser crimes, are welcomed
by large classes of readers for the excite.
ment which they furnish. It is the same
| with the drama. Who cares nowadays
for genteel comedy, delicate touches Of
| character, pictures of high life and decent
society? Very few; SO few that enterpris-
ing managers do not care to engage in the
losing game of producing such pieces.
and star performers do not make them a
| part of their repertoire. They are too
tame, too unexciting.
That rush and excitement are the be.
ginning and end, the very life OF business
in these days ia fact no business man
will dispute. The imperious necessity Of
making fortune and the colossal pro-
portions Of what constitutes fortune
keep him constantly on the stretch. so
that day or night his thoughts are running
on plans and projects. stocks and bonds.
schemes and speculations. the simples: of
which requires moderate fortune TO start
with-what our grandfathers would have
thought ample to retire from business on.
It is the same with politics; the mental
wear and tear aeedful for success or
wasted on failure is with some tempera-
ments the direct read 20 paralysis or soft
ening OF the brain-witness Chase and
Greeley-and with others less excitable
the intervals Of unavoidable inaction pro-
duce @ state Of 1estlessness or, its oppo-
site. blank stupefsction. which makes the
sufferer long fox q renewal Of the !asci-
mating conflict
Even on. religion is for the most part
not calm performance Of our duty to.
ward our brother man from the motive Of
love toward our Father, God. but spe-
cies Of spiritual intoxication fed by re-
viyals and sensational sermons, while our
educational system. ms tead Of strength.
ening the youthful mind and preparing it
for the duties of life. is stufing and
forcing process. straining SO severely the
powers subjected to it that sometimes the
young victims give way III the very act Of
displaying their acquireme nts. overcome
by brain fever o. carried of by heart
disease.
If we turn TO society, hoping there, o:
least, to find relaxation. if not rest. what
do we see: A mean struggle for SD.
premacy in ostentatious display. or mad
whirl wherein moderation is condemned
and only The Outre is priced; wherein
suu,ptuous decorations. crowded rooms.
late hours, rich feasts lending sometimes
in carousals). wanton dances. costly and
immodest dressing. Offering jewels.
blazing lights, stunning music. perfumed
and deoxygenized air. gossiping. flirting.
neutrality-suspicious. cong!oneration
Of e1travagance and excitement utterly
lacking in wholesome mental stimulus and
hearty social communion.
In enumerating the various forms as.
sumed by the morbid love of excitement
which distinguishes our times. we hare
purposely made no mention OF gambling
or intoxication. because We have been
considering the classes Of society supposed
to be -aised by position and cultivation
above these vices; but the thought will
rise that if the rich and well-to-do, with
all the means Of gratifying their cravings
in that way presented by business. travel.
politics. literature, the drama. the opera.
religion and society. will SOM etimes call
in the aid Of the wine cup and the dice
box, what wonder that in:oxication and
should prevail among those who
have no other meats Of obtaining this
great desiderative excitement: Some will
object here that religion. which we have
mentioned as among the popular means
of excitement. Is open to the poor as well
as the rich. 1t is not. It is. on the con-
trary. as organized in large cities. an ex-
pensive enjoyment; and its effects. more
over, as TN excitement are uncertain.
The very poor. who can afford an occa-
sional indulgence in alcoholic stimulants.
can not afford to take part in the main
tenance of a church: besides they do not
think of it. They require to be sought
out. invited. made to feel that the pleas
ures Of religion gre indeed within their
reach.
These concluding suggestions are thrown
out for the benefit of temperance societies.
while those regarding the evils Of the
morbid thirst Of excitement which dis.
society in general. are for the
benefit of all who are charged with the
moral improvement Of mankind~espe-
cially parents. teachers and preachers.