The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1881-08-03
FOR NE DEMOCRAT,
I'll Il PHILOSOPHY LIFE

1
In the eager Struggle in which we are
engaged it is hut seldom that we stou
to think and it il not often that we take
time to ask ourselves for what good is
all this toll and trouble? For what are
we SO necessarily striving, schemiug
ana frettirg away the few short years
OF this life? To-Day is spent in unpro-
hlaile labor and tomorrow promises
no rest from toll. Without pleasure in
thcpast, without profit in the present
ahd with but shadowy hopes of the flu
lure we are continually pursuing a
phantom that constantly eludes our
grasp. 1t may be that for one of us it
taxes the shape Of wealth, and sacrifice
ing family, regardless of time and heed
less OF the duties Of life, we rush on.
reckless, careless and Gallons, following
q. The beck and call of the phantom. to
,lnu al last that all our wealth cannot
ling US oacS one wasted hour or stop
iol Que second our forced march to the
emu where 1t viii mock us with its i'm
potence and crush US with the thouo ht
that we have given Our whole lite for
treasure that we cannot cary with mr.
ana that is powerless to purchase WIN,
We would most have.
ferchance it comes to another of ne
IN the inviting garb of am bition and ,t
the cost OF much time, of bitter ankle.
W, harassing doubts and over tha
graves Of sweet friendships buried hv
the way side, We follow the phantom
ana finally reach the goal of our earlv
hopes. only to find that there are stiiI,
o'her heights to which we would climb
and to which if we cannot attain tho
:. already won seem insignificant
a a. worthless, and the honors so dear
y Donght are but baubles-the child's
of an hour, so eagerly sought
my 10 De thrown away and cast aside
"a po"efiess 10 please, while some new
-amsy relgns supreme. The apples tina I
si9" oeslde tie Dead Sea are fair to &
'ooh upon but turn to ashes in the
Mayhap, others again see and ,ursro
she phantom which now has to lon ON t,,o 4
lnfm OF pleasure, aud never stonnino Wv ~ {
.hlnk what may be tie end: without r
'eemlng to care for the wrong done or s
esretting the wrecks they made that v
le stranded here and there on ,ifo,s {
hun ha. without a tear for the shame a
'ney nave wrought; needless If tlo
ears ana signs they have left na~ 81
ll'eu, tney, too, nr.ss on to the end onlc al
o hnd those lidln spectres gatherins IS
hick around thm and remorse a. ? 1t
guest. Having drained the
up lhey must pe.force drink the dyegs
lIu IL cannot hr
mink that all the pleasure eney have
au is nut poor pay for the bitter )
fanght they now must drink whether Al
/ no. :
The phantom takes various other g.
lapes. Some I've upon hate and for q
0 other pdfpose than to avenge
'rongs, rca. or imaginary, and conse- I
ate their lives to venom and gall. only 4
find at iast that the world is too wide n
I'd llle Is too short to compass their be
signs. Love of ease, gluttony aud ~
'hi'y are some of its other forms. In nj
'ed 1t is hydra-headed and has as N
any disgulses as the human heart -,
Is passions and human impulse d. =.
ctiQns. Or
" hat, then, is the philosophy of life? NJ
Is 10 live SO, that Tomorrow shall ia
me to us barren of fear-that the mast b!
all bear with itas few regrets RS nav st
ana that the present shall find us ed
III consciences as void of offense as il ST,
possible. If it may be summarized th'
al in simple phrase it would nrob- sn n
y ne appropriately expressed as;- sa,
rgetfuihess of self. The more we s se'
nix Of others and the less we tbinl oe
ourselves, the more nearly we an. Gre
'aci to that condition of mind With rat
ngs repose aud ease of conseisnoa /
houI winch neither wealth nor hon, rat
iof pleasure can be said to be truly RAJ
Dyed. ~ ''"'! IS i
ne possession Of money and the on Pa,
'nnlties ltoifers of relieving distress A
frightening the pathway Of the un- sail
innate; the achievement of houors and
power asa means of doing good to citr
rs, ana the pursuit of Innocent u;;2
sure mat Others may join In it, are SAY .aa.
sorthy objects if worthily sought. .laI
are neither to be condemned nor ran
ased. 1t is the selfish pursuit of iron
OF these objects that brings disan. may
sment and chagrin. 1t is more limi
'ed TO give than to receiver 4 Ale:
conscience and the sincere desire A
good TO others are the TEACHINGS corn
oat l conceive to be the true mil ty T
ny of life. sES NJ p.'i'- ~ :. =