The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1881-10-26

Mr. EplroR-This, sir, is the mania
scribendi age. And though my feel-
ings are decidedly against writing tor
the public eye, still it seems the spirit
of the times is upon me, and find my
self actually engaged in the very thing
I so much dislike. But, sir, it is not
simply and alone my own disinclina-
ton for public exhibition in this direc-
ton that has hitherto prompted me
from appearing in your columns; other
and more serious considerations have
weighed heavily in the negative. Ihere,
sir, is the Editorial Dignitary, seated
upon his Tripodal Throne, monarch ed
itorially Of all he surveys, and exercls-
ing a remorseful and Plutonlan spirit
towards all unworthy subjects (con-
trbutors,) tearing some into shreds,
subiecting others to the flames lto llght
his cigar,) and casting others into the
bot.omless Pit (the waste-basket.) Sir,
it takes no small degree Of courage to
face such stern realities.
But supposing that to ones humble
manuscriptal effort the editorial scep-
tire of favor is extended, and he or she
be bidden to stand among the select"
contributors, still the way is by no
means clear-new difficulties arise
There are old and veteran quill driv-
3 ers already in the field, with victory IN
+ their palms and laurels on their brow.
q There is your "Chatty" correspondent
whose letters are by no means all chat.
: And the gifted 'sTobias" who, If ne
e does not 90 about seeking whom ne
Y NAV devour, does move about good
deal. and succeeds in picking up in his
peregrinations goolly store OF inter
z esting matter which he regularly dish
n es out to your readers-being careful
d however to occasionally season the disn
j. with theories wise or otherwise, PM
losophy sound or unsound, and an &C.
= casional flight of fancy. And the ques
~ ton, How Shall succeed among suct
8. knights of the quill? is to me serious
r. one. But one consoling thought is tina
- I enter the arena not for victory. M.
-. . humble efforts shall aim to be supple
Is mental, to gather up the fragments tina
at nothing be lost. But still difficulties
st stare us in the face. The gauntlet mus
b. be run before your numerous reaoeis
tv Now, Mr.. Editor, you know us haCe
- raj for persons to love their own on
~ spring-the child of their own olrtn
lie And be that child ever so lmpef1ec'
be still one likes to have it noticed. "A g. II
so it is with writer's. Will we M
readers? Will our literary offspring |,
to noticed? Such are serious questions
authors. But granting or hopefui!i
assuming that possibly some lew ". WI
m read your humble productions, the
ire come the questions, What shall write
he Shall | deal in facts or realm i'll fancy
OH Shall I appear in prose or in poetr!
81 Shall my material be of politics, OF r
u ligion, of morality, of science, OF ag.!
Ca culture. What? Then, shall l Wri
as simply to please the fancy, or to !
nd struct the intellect, or to purify q
.ed morals and improve the NE! onai'
~ Turk in the rear and court iaFof,
es shall / Join the van and assume the
me eressiye? AS to the latter, my aec.s! |.
Is made. the Rubicon is passed. l
H., tend to speak out boldly and fearless
my mr. sneak not at all. The familiar lin
re- of rolicking Johnny Burns shall De
VT. motto:
is eThere's a chile amongye tak'n not
old And faithe he'll print EN-"
Tn a word, shall, Mr.. Editor, atten
! 70 write for the good of the public
this is the motive that animates q
y Rnt this must suffice for an lntrod'
ton wait to know Its fate. II II
nst, Granted life, then I will be emboldef
an TO write again. In the meantime:
her harmony With my purpose in writlI
W ~. + subscribe myself, yours with respe
sta- s PRO BONO PUBLICO
ing