The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1886-04-03

its citizens make it as regards its avail
able utility, but its intrinsical worth
is so established by the hand Of ma
ture. In the latter light we claim the
highest recommendation for Cameron,
while in the former we desire, and
hope for improvement.
Harmony is a very necessary con-
stituent Of social sentiment, respects
ing local improvement, without which
little success will award even the
strongest efforts. Entertaining no
desire whatever to search out the
short comings of our friends, we must
say with regret, that we are some
what wanting in that high type Of
unity which should distinguish all
prosperous communities. We fail to
view our general interest in the same
light. The same may be said Of many
other sections that are more socially
depressed than we are. Our object is
not to metaphorically consider oms
with others, but to truly represent
Johnson's Bayou.
We need reform. Improvement is
what we long for, We realize that
we do not enjoy that high point Of
prosperity designed by nature. Seeing
and admitting our deficiency, how
must we obtain the desired reaction,
or can it be done at all? Most as
suredly, it is of easy accomplishment
when rightly attempted, and should
no longer be delayed. There may be
existing prejudices dividing what
should be mutual support, which
prejudces, if any exist, have their re.
mote origin in almost nothing, and
have been transmitted from one gen-
Grafton to another; but such can, and
should be banished as the morning
dew upon bright summers day.
Education is the cffectual means Of
such Improvement as we need. BY 1t
alone do we see any prospects light
ing up the future. Without it, as far
as our research penetrates time unre-
yealed, everything is utter confusion
and chaos, only a gradual decline from
medium to worse; but with the bless,
ing of education dealt out freely to
the juvenile class, amid the unde-
veloped objects of futurity, we can
clearly discern almost climax Of
prosperity awaiting our parish.
acknowledge is power" say the learn
ed and eminent, and if rightly instilled
in connection with true, moral senti-
ments, it will certainly exert its force
in the proper direction, Who would
not consider himself better surrounded
in an intelligent and educated COM
munity than in one of ignorancea To
render the contrast more striking; are
not the heathens more treacherous
than the enlightened Are not the
learned more scrupulous than the lg-
norant9 Right and wrong must be
known before a moral sense will or
can guide. According to clear
statement upon the subject, we must
conclude that education guards against
the ineendiary, rober, etc. Enthu,
siastic educators are no doubt correct
in their stringent views.
While we do not claim for our citi-
zens all the harmony that could be de- |
sired, yet we are highly pleased TO say |
in point Of school support they are
not to be easily excelled, They exer-
else a real interest in the welfare of
young, and judging from present
We hope to see in the
near future, better advantages than |
are now maintained. Those who are
now being educated will soon, them
selves constitute the predominating
element of society and citizenship, |
and il is then our fancied improve
ment win become a matter of reality.
Those who oppose in any measure are |
leading q retrograding hand.
Let us have snch reform; let all CO.
for general interest and we
will approximate ancient Cameron,
n T, III