The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1881-06-22

it was unwise because 1t was with
out u head, and because muttipli
cation of Ignorance never makes
wisdom. Yet, that good was ac-
complished, Republican France to
day atteSts. And, if the great
Burke could see no other reason
to fcIicitate France, be might have
given her u word Of congratula,
tion that she had rescued hersel!
from the despotism Of priest-craft
and feudal customs. On au o.
tober afternoon Of 1895, a young
artillery officer stood ty a park OF
ARTILLERY about which surged &
mob Of dusty, ragged, hungry
French men, and shrieking, dis
heveled women who trampled in
the dust the modesty Of their sex.
The artillerist was as steady as
steel and quick as lightning. Sud.
denly his stern lips opened for the
word Fire !'-there was roar,
crash, and the French Revolution
had gone up in a whiff of smoke.
That young artillerist was after
wards heard above the din OF
Leipslc ard Waterloo. He was BY
nature revolutionary. E,nbittered
by iron fOrtupe, his Youthful
check famed by the hot breath
Of revolution, be never bowed to
custom, but treated existing in.
stitutions with kingIy scorn. To
what was the popularity Of this
little great man-this mysterious
mighty being due? He was
never caught listening at key
holes--but he was mean beyond
expression. lie did not hesitate
to cheat, steal, slander, poison or
assassinate. He was intensely sci
fsh--he was treacherous--he was
an unscrupulous gossip and liar-~he
Intercepted letters, and cheated at
cards-he intertered with the cut
ting Of women's dresses and
never spoke well-turned SEN
tence to u lady. Whence his mar
velous influence ? Whonce the
amazing magnetism Of thls'Scamp-
Jupiter In the imminent dead
ly breach he never fiuched his
cheek never showed the white
flag Of fear-and soldiers applaud
ed. His code Of morality was
Nothing succeeds like success ;
and Frenchmen 0lindly accom-
panied to the death. The essence
OF his mathematics was crystal
lied in the axiom the shortest
distance between TWO points is
straight line; and brave men fol-
lowed though Le led through
blood. But whee ne mounted TO
the sublimest reach OF his rhe-
toric and proudly called himself
the MaN Of Destiny, the nation
clapped It's hands, and hailed him
as the great innovator and leader
of the people. When rsproachsd
tor spiIling the precious blood OF
due d'Enghien, be pitched his re-
ply to the popular tone, and said :
Neither is my blood ditch water.
He Was the embodiment Of the
popular will--he absorbed the very
genius Of this leveling nation
above all he was never c0nssrUG.
tive; to this the surrender into his
hands Of the popular judgment
was largely due.
Innovation OF whatever kind is
no longer viewed With suspicion
and distrust. Our age is peculiar
Iy one of disilusion, disencbant
ment and disbelief. No change is
too radical TO find supporters-no
reform too pure TO meet bitter de-
uunciatiou and opposition. We
are 10 longer sentimental bis is
a matter OF regret, for sentiment
elevates and retiGes the heart. The
earnest spirit that alters habits Of
thought On al! subjects-poIiticuI,
social and religious, is Inconsistent
with The growth Of sentiment.
We are told that the noble R"-
man never said, | came, | saw
conquered, but that this is u fiction
of Suotonius that the Iron Duke
neEer spoke the noble sentiment,
England expects every man to do
uis duty. The sword Of Wallace
must no longer CLEAN among the.
healhered hills of Scotland, and
we must believe that the liberty
voice Of Tell never float
ed across the still waters of beauti- |
ful Lucerne. For this sentiment
we are too practical-we go to the |
truth Of traditions. 1t is ques-
ton, how far this spirit Of investi-
gation-thls search after truth,
should be encouraged. Conserva |
tism is cOmmendable when it seeks |
to insure the prevalence of wise |
and beueicent Institutions; but
it is contemplate when it advo
Gates usagcS that are plainly more
honored in the breach than the
observance We should study the |
past; we should honor our ances-
tors and respect demonstrations es-
tablished by their wisdom ; but We
were not put here to work mira
cIes with dead mems bones, it was !
never intended that We should |
live and die by precedent, we must
live In the present and for the
future. Conservatism teaches con.
contentment means
staguation. We thirst and hun
ger as do the birds and cattle buS
The birds quench their thirst, fly
owaIv 1o shady rrOCae and waste