The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-04-10
BENEFITS OF INDEPENDENT ACTION

A little independence occasionally is good
thing Semi-periodical revolts from abso-
lutism Of any description are beneficial to the
revolter and not damaging to those who wieid
the oppressive power. The rebellion OF some
half-grown and spirited 'village Hampden
has often brought the domineering pedaSogue
to solemn sense of the stupidity Of his ty-
rannical sway and made him more sparing OF
ferule, switch and penal tasks. Many an OBJ
streperous sophomore, by insurrectionary
demonstration, has taken the conceit out of a
college faculty and taught them practically
that while nature is bound fast in fate the
human will is free and liable to manifest its
freedom in spite of rules and admonitions.
The apprentice who boldly throws aside the
hammer and tongs, unties his leather apron,
washes away the cinders from his face, puts
on clean clothes and treats himself to little
angry repose and sullen leisure without fear
Of consequences may be no worse for the self
assertion, and benefit his ''boss" by teaching
him to be more careful, decent and consider
ate.
If spirit as an element Of character is q
good thing and essential to excellence, then
an occasional overflow Of it cannot be among
tho occurrences of the lamentable kind. Even
the child, who has in him the elemental es-
sentia!s of success, must possess and some
times show the mettle which is to keep him as
a man from being trodden under foot by those
he copes with in the hard tussle Of actual life.
The milder and more submissive he is in his
general behavior, the more needful is 1t that
he should ut intervals let elders and parents
know that he does think and act upon his
own responsibility. The father who wishes
his son to be as man free, independent, SELF
reliant, brave and full Of the instinct Of self
protection, will easily bear with his youthful
revolts and boyish declarations Of independ-
ence.
On the same theory rare and short conju-
gal rebellion will often work out good re-
suit, The lamb-like meekness, patience and
silence Of the head Of the family may at
times fail to produce peace and happiness.
It is then that subdued and moderate thun-
der storm will interrupt the monotone Of
tyranny and bring commingling OF the
tears of repentance with the smiles Of joy,
like rain and sunshine, which, according to
the poet, "come laughing down together
The doctrine may smack a little Of hetero-
doxy, and be liable to misapplication by those
who are naturally prone to resist restraint
without judgment as to fit places and seasons,
vet we should neither tremble nor turn pale
at any sudden transient instruction against
the improper exercise Of any authority, how
ever intrenched by usage or guarded by dog
mas In corporations Of a literary or scien-
tific character, and in all societies, associa-
tons and corporations, show Of independ-
ence in thought and action will do good
oftener than hurt.
In the political domain independence of ac-
ton is altogether necessary at times to pre-
vent party from rushing to its ruin. Long
lease Of power obfuscates the partys general
sense Of propriety. Long absolute DONNA
ton over a minority party begets spirit Of
domination in one part Of the ruling party
over another. Long exercise Of the functions
of leadership is apt to make the leader uncoh-
sciously dictatorial, presumptuous, captious
and impatient Of opposition. These things
are often felt acutely, but are borne in silence
according to strict party discipline; but 1t is
sometimes all for the best that few men, or
a few thousands of men should declare their
resolve to go with the party only in the right,
and to follow their leader only towards worthy
ends Members and guides Of party would
be slow to find out that they are wrong ex-
cept for this show Of wholesome independ-
ence A mutiny is very apt to be sign that
something is wrong. To wise commanders it
will show that there is something serious
which needs change and remedy. When q
great political party comes to sending out the
offshoots Of independent action, the leaders
may as we'll look about them with increased
vigilance.
These occasional rebell;ons are far better
than constant, implicit, blindfold obedience
to party chiefs and party policy. The pre-
rogative Of party rule belongs to combined
sagacity, vigilance, integrity and public spirit;
when these, or any Of them, are lacking in
leaders tho rank and file will at length dis
cover the defect. If revolt then occurs it
may force change of leaders and policy, or
the rebels may become the pioneers Of q new
and better party. In any case good results
are reached which would be impossible if
there were no exceptions to the rule Of strict
adhesion to rule and unquestioning obedience
to party leaders.
We have received several communications
asking us whether We believed the House of
Representatives wo1ld be organized on the
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