New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-30
"The Oracle.o

Milton wrote, "Henceforth oracles are
ceased" He must have been blind. On
the twenty second of January, 1876, was
published at Homer, Louisiana, the first
number of two-page paper called "The
Homer Oracle" Rev. j. C. Reed, editor and
proprietor. Oracle is defined as "a re-
sponse delivered by supernatural wisdom"
The supernatural wisdom of Homer, Louis
lana, says:
The Oracle will be conducted, go far as
it's editor is capable, in the interest of the
Democratic Conservative politics OF the
country. This will be done because we
think it is the only hope of the country,
and the perpetuity Of that government and
it's constitutional guarantees presided over
by WashiD gton. While the editor will try
to regard the opinions of others, and exer-
else that moderation which he would like
to be extended to him. he does not expect
to speak or write his views in an ambiguous
style. We will as clearly and as plainly as
we can state and defend our views, what
ever they are, and will advocate that course
of policy We think to be for the best inter-
est OF the country. We do not claim to be
q bind partisan, but wherever We find er-
ror to oppose it, and when truth and the
best intere st OF the country is advocated to
give it support.
It is not quite clear whether the Oracle
or the party ";s the only hope of the coun-
try" Nor is it certain whether Washing
ton, George, or Washing ton, D. c., presided
over the constitutional guarantees. For one
who did not expect to write his views in an
ambiguous style, the editor has succeeded
remarkably we'll.
The Oracle reviews the Preeident's mes
sage, and differs materially from the Presi.
dent. This may be considered late in the
session to criticise the message, but it
should be remembered that the Oracle is
but just now born. 1t says, with touch of
supernatural sarcasm:
To see the chief of this great nation look
| ing with covetous eye upon the small
amount of church and charitable property
come cted with the government, is very hu-
initiating, even to Southern man, and
| what must it be to those highly refined and
noralized people that live up Northa
Coming down from the platforms of par
ty, and halting in the small plea considera'
tions OF the great questions of the day, the
Oracle touches the local affairs of Homer
If it is dizzy on party heights, and shaky
on national topice, the Oracle is perfectly
solid on local events. Witness:
The health of Homer is good, except
colds.
Homer should wear flannel cravat, and
be pr1t to bed. The next item says:
The weather is now fine, and the hauling
| of cotton is business.
That may be called a compound sentence
clearing up the weather and making the
added statement that cotton hauling really
sis business" The Oracle apologies fol
appearing on half sheet, saying neatly:
Several things conspired to interfere to
prevent US bringing out full sheet. We
have done the best we could, and hope to dc
better in the future. We sent for new type
and it does not suit we'll, and our old type
was desperately pied; the printers could NOT
make the trip this week, but think they
will be ready for the next, and that the
Oracle will make q full revelation then.
Alas, even at the beginning of his jour
ney, the editor finds his path to be STEEP
and rugged, full of scattered pi in which
there is no meat, and full of thorny bod
kins, musty, tied-up matter, and uncom
Portable column rules presided over by the
very office devil. But the editor also sees 8
rift through the cloud, and peeps at the sill
yer lining; among the thorns he smells the
fragrant rose. He says in the first number
of the Oracle:
We received some excellent vegetablel
from DR.. Richardson's and Judge Egan'i
gardens, which were much appreciated.
There were in Homer 1.-TWO souls will
but single thoughts" two men beat as one
Search the annals Of journalism where yor
will, and you can not find record Of q cas-
where another editor got vegetables out o
two gardens on the first night of his paper
publication.
The Oracle thus sends out it's voice in th'
land of the Iziad in the classic land Of HO
mer. 1t is something of bark on the sea o
journalism, full of hope, Democratic and
typographical imperfections, and it vii
doubtless command the success it deserves
Tho trade will find . complete stock O
/ ~ NJ "