New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-03-11

they catered at once to the prohigacy of a
court and stimulated a reckless spirit of
lswlessness among the people. They
were forerunners of a revolution of
which Mirabeau was the tongue, Marat
the bloodhound, Danton the demon, and
Robespierre the implying executioner.
Instead of the new gospel of liberty,
equality and fraternity they undertook to
establish, they succeeded in creating a
feast of fury and a reign of terror, in the
madness of which they themselves found
their fate. The dust they flung madly
into the face of Omnipotence returned
and was Redeemed with their blood.
But besides the classes of literary effort
to which we have adverted there is q
larger, broader and more humanizing lite
nature, such as that given to the world by
Shakespeare and men of kindred genius.
1t is not the literature of period, but of
all periods; of a country, but of all coun-
tries. In its universally it is everywhere
acceptable, in its variety it amuses, in its
profundity its instructs, in its geniality it
refines, in its sublimity it elevates, and in
its touches of nature it makes the whole
world kin. Such literature can come
only from what our German friends call
''all-sided men"-men who can enter into
all the moods and thoughts and feelings
of humanity; who can become familiar
with the dark places of the earth without
being corrupted, and its high places with
out being dazzled or led astray.
Of the literature of this country but
comparatively insignificant portion has
as yet assumed a standard character.
The highest branches of the tree of knowl-
edge we have scarcely touched; there is,
therefore, much left for daring thoughts
to aim at and for daring hands to grasp.
Among our people a utilitsrian spirit has
prevailed, and an imaginary antagonism
supposed to have existed between material
and intellectual progress proved an i'm
pediment to literary effort. But higher
light begins to dawn, and the conscious
ness that knoWledgeis power having risen
from theoretical sentiment into prac-
teal truism, will, ere long, give a wider
circuit to high thought and keener zest
to scientific research.
At present the literature of our land is
mainly journalistic. We have more jour-
nails and journalists than any other coun-
try in the world, and, consequently,
more ephemeral and careless writing.
Even politicians have mainly abandoned
the forum for the press, the latter being a
more convenient medium for addressing
large audiences and giving new directions
to the changeful currents OF public opin-
ion. But though the average journalist
of the day may be hasty and careless, it
by no means follows that he is not vigor-
Gus and keen. Sharp in thrust and cum
ming Of fence, he finds enjoyment in con-
troversy and glory, if not gain, in his
temporary triumphs, He is, however, re-
sponsible, on his own behalf and that of
his subordinates, for most of the slang
conceits and expressions which obtain
currency in the daily or weekly issues of
the press, and extend thence to the streets
and slums. 1t is to be hoped, for the sake
Of our language and literature, that the
coming journalist win worthily magnify
his calling, and speedily reform the mental
and moral abuses to which we regretfully
refer.
Here in Louisiana we are rick in the
elements of literature such as that
which Scott, the Wizard of the North,
gave to Scotland. Gayarre has already
done some creditable work in this direc-
ton, and may perhaps do more yet ere he
closes his labors; but however much he
may accomplish in this regard, he will
leave auriferous veins as historic and ira
ditional romance untouched, upon which
other sons or daughters of Louisiana may
enter with credit to themselves and ad-
vantage to the State. When the knowl-
edge, the zeal and the ability meet we
may look for glowing pages and glorious
results.