Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-03-24
OBSTACLES.

lHc Oo<Vh3 hoAo V
section o. the country, is suffering t
from the inertia and the sublime SCI c
kshness q numbers of the inhabitants
Of too maay Gifts localities. Il
The mon of whom we speak, nave ;
gradually educated themselves down
y the idea that mans mission on
earth is solely to take care of himself
and that he owes absolutely nothing
10 society or country.
Such individuals, provided they
san enjoy in seclusion the material
comforts of fife, care not whether the
grass grows in the towns or citles
wherein they live, nor do they feel
the slightest sympathy or desire to
contribute in ameliorating the con-
aition of their neighbors and fellow
men.
Yet they consider themselves good
citizens and even christians, through
consciousness that they do not violate
the laws nor inhict direct harm unto
others.
Il would seem, indeed, that the
age of chivalry or ennobling instincts
has passed away.
allow am I" to be benefited Is the
question that the men we aiinde 70
address to themselves, whenever any
movement is on foot to bring the To-
eality out of the wilderness i'll which
they eat, drink and sleep.
A merchant who sees chance to
sell more goods will not hesitate TO
order the additional supply needed
No meet the increasing demand, yet
this same man cannot be brought to
Che point, where by looking beyond
the shadow of bis nose, he will bring
that increasing demand to lIiscoantere
by contributing something to trans
port thither the customers who reside
foo far for the traditional OK team
to convey them.
The same can be said of those stoiid
rronerty owners, mOnarchs OF TIT
little which they survey, who livt
scntented while looking fiom one
end to the other of the deserted thor
sughfares of the burg where it lays
awaiting for the day of general re
xssurrection to come, or the advent c
progressive men from abroad, VIII
viii, npon their arrival, pay them in
creased rents for their decayins bun
dings. Never for a moment WI
they consider the advisability Of pu
ting ont few dollars to hasten I'll
arrival of the desired newcomers.
Who will contend that such beinS
are fulfilling their duties as men,
carrying ont the teachings ana u
spirit OF christianity.
Of course there is seltishness III Il
desire that other men have when TIT
contribute to the full extent OF tl'
means, in developing and brlnSil
wealth to the locality in which tn
live, We will not attempt to de
that this class is actuated by the no
that in common with their neighbo
). they will better their own cOndltl'
No man is expected or required
sacrifice himself for the public go
But every impulse that elevates
human family above the dumb be
should teach him that it is ennobl
60 help himself while helping
neighbors and fellow-men.
They are failures those men, as
liens and christians, who, envelo
in the mantle of selfishness and
difference for the welfare of 9th
the growth of civilization, the ms
Of progress, and the glory and rem
Of the State or country, are peri
!ed.by the Almighty to live thro
she period of time which he has
lotted to each of them.
+ II seems that President Gar
will adhere to the old doctrine,
s'to the victor belongs the spoils.'
,kEnn nonn Int Al