The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1880-09-03
ALL FOR SELF NOTHING FOR THE
- PUBLIC GOOD.

Il 1O11DAS UVVDs
We begin this article with very
common place assertion: Every citizen
has certain social and public obliga-
tions resting upon him, which are
inherent in citizenship and binding
upon the individual claiming to enjoy
the rights and benefits of society. These
obligations are in part natural and part
conventional, and begin to assert their
force the moment the citizen derives
protection and succor from his fellow
men. He can no more divest himself
of the responsibility and duties thus
imposed upon him, than he can OF
those he owes to himself, to his kim
dred, OF. his offspring, unless he for
swears association with mankind and
becomes hermit, in which case he
deeenerates into social, Intellectual
nonentity.
These few words are PREDATORY to|
something practical, and intended
are to have application to number
of people. 1t is now the beginning of
a new business season, when thought
full linen are accustomed to take a new
reckoning and to form plans for another
In these plans, in the
Southern country, 1t too frequently
happens that the citizen Incorporates
nothing, whatever, intended to redeem
his implied pledges to his country and
his people. He sets forward alone,
bent upon his own ACKNOWLEDGMENT,
careless of society, of the general adj
vancement, and apparently totally Ig-
norant that he possesses dual charac.
er,-tl,at of the individual combined
into account only what will profit him.
self, or prevent disaster to his expccta-
tions, and intently plods on, not caring
for the public good, for his neighbours
prosperity, or the Improvement of his
parish or State and at the close of the
of us-he looks back to find that his
selfish example hos been closely fol-
lowed, and that in the general rush for
self, he has remained stationary in for
tune, and his community is only weak
ened by the indiscriminate hurry and
anxiety to accomplish private ends.
Or, If he has gained in purse, he may
trace the gain to a loss in the general
account of progress.
What we need in this country Is
more active and energetic public spirit
a discharging of those obligations to
which we have referred, resting upon
every member of our social and polit-
zeal system. 1t is often urged that our
only need is capital. To this, we re-
ply, that capital is cowardly, and that
there is a will there is
way" It is an unpleasant truth-our
people are too inactive and too selfish.
Every community has its leading men
who are looked to as oracles and as
and yet, who are eternally
or hanging back for some one
else to arouse public opinion-possibly
in opposition to their predictions,-and
then they come forward, to take the
lead ostensibly, but in reality, to prove
a dead weight, simply because they
lack vigor and energy.
Let us illustrate: Here is q man of
large possessions, extensive influence,
some capital, and by reason of all his
expectations, and, per-
haps, honors, has very deep interest
in the al vanceinent of his parish. His
opinions arc ocular, his name ga tower
of strength" his identity with the
and people of long standing,
his connections extensive, and his
power to do good almost unlimited.
Approach this man, with all possible
that he will readily encour-
agc every public enterprise, and you
will find that, with all his splendid en-
tlowmcnts and honors, his public zeal
to nothing. We have often
how such men rs these-and
they certainly ecist-are enabled in
figuring up their accounts with
responsibility, to come within
fifty per cont. of n balance.
It ia n sad commentary upon ones