The Opelousas courier., 1885-10-17
Civic Pride.
Rouge e'apitolian-Advocate

Baton Rouge 9apitolian-Advocate.
"Resolved, That it is the duty
of the press, to foster and en-
courage a spirit Of civic pride,
and that in all matters affecting
the improvement. of town, city
or State, the people should be
urged to discard divisions and
discussions, and cooperate un-
seltishly for the public welfare"
This admirable resolution was
adopted unanimously by the
State Press Association at its
recent meeting in Shreveport.
1t seeks to remove perhaps the
main obstacle in the way of the.
progress of many localities in
our State. Indeed, from numer-
GUS quarters the same complaint
arises that our people instead Of
acting in unison in matters Of
generalinterest, allow petty jeal-
ousies aud rivalries to crush the
spirit of enterprise and cripple
the efforts of their energetic
neighbors who would have life
and activity supersede stagna-
ton.
The moment an enterprise is
put in operation which gives
promise Of success, the men who
are nursing some grievance en-
gendered by previous clashings
of interests or opinions set them
selves to the task of running it
down. They deem it a holy
duty to handicap every man who
appears to be pushing his way
to an independent position in
life. They never stop to think
that in a community where
everybody is kept poor, very few
stand a chance ever to secure
anything like a comfortable
position for their families or
themselves.
Point out a community that is
animated by the spirit of envy,
contention and malicious rivalry
and you will find it acommunity
where hard times generally pre-
vail; where enterprises r. sub.
I.iect to all species of opposition
where there is little sociability
and few enjoyments.
A prosperous community is
one where every man under
stands that it is not to his in
terest to run down a useful i'll
dustry because he differs in
opinion with or does not like
those who conduct it but on the
contrary that it is to his interest
to sustain those whose labors are
beneficial to the general welfare.
Whenever that feeling can be
aroused and maintained in a
community, prosperity, sociabll-
ity, enjoyment and cotentment
will follow. Every one will take
pride in any matter involving its
reputation. Associations OF all
kinds will prosper and unity OF
action will be easily secured
whenever the common interest
requires it.
In such a community political
differences will seldom lead to
the acrimonious discussions and
ungenerous personalities, that
flourish in feud-ridden localities,
where life is embittered by mum
berless vexations.
We imagine that it is hardly
necessary to particularize, as ON
readers can, with very little
trouble, recall great undertake
ings that have been made to
suffer by the pull back practice
/ that has almost developed into
a custom in SD many localities
in Louisiana.
It is about time to turn a new
leaf if we want a change for the
better. Aspiring politicians have
been telling this people for the
last quarter of a century thai
they would not be happy unti
they were placed or retained il
office. Nearly all have had 9
trial at one time or another
vet the same long felt want re-
mains.
That want is unity, tolerance
and civic pride.
AZ resident of Malvern, Ho'
Springs county, Ark, Mr.. Hun