The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-02-10

ct SOOu tninSS culDle; nt Sdtu.
"Well, I'se gwine to git something
good for Marse Robert for once, it
he never gifts none no MOI So,
skirmishing around, be got up the
necessary ingredients for the Gen.
erals favarite cake. The darkey,
in his pride as chef and Jealous
love for his master, outdid himself
on that 30th of June. The cakes
were too tempting, the General ate
too beautifully, was sick accord
ingly, and Gettysburg was lost.
The niger and the 1apjacks saw
cd the Uuion! Some time ago it
was IA "crazeD to tind a national
flower; Why not have a national
cakee We suggest that at Thanks
giving the larjack have equal hon
or with the pumpkin" pie
Some may be incredulous about
the stomach making history. Ev-
en- when in health, they have but
to recall their own state Of MUD
and feelings before and after break
ing fast of a morning. The French
who best understand the part the
stomach plays in our welfare and
happiness, serve themselves and
guests with coffee Oh rising, or
even before; and the Virginian
must have his julep or cocktail
soon as he gets up, to quicken
pulse, gladden. his heart and cl
his head; while .'temperate"
pie who dispense with coffee ana
.sbitters" assemble for breakfast,
hearts closed and tongues tied,
some cross and rude,as bears, some
dull and heavy AS ghosts of de-
parted bookkeepers. Who ap-
proaches bank president or CASH
Ter for ga little accommodation"
before his lunch, has yet much to
learn of human nature. It is hard
to be at peace with ~ouesself aud in
sympathy with bis fellow ma1 on
an empty stomach / used to
laugh at an old Virginia n~eighbor
IA good Christian and Church
member, and, therefore, not inten-
tionally ir%reyerent, when we would
say: "Religion is a good thing,
the next best thing he knew to
victnalsw Victuals and cooks
have not had justice done them by
writer's on civilization. A good
cook is a benetactor Of his race;
none does more good, none more
promotes health, b%rotherly love
and charity. The French are per-
haps the most highly civilized peo-
pie in the world and the most
cheerful aud happy. They eat the
best food, and drink the best
wines! We Americans care little
for the quality Of our food or its
preparation; we are almost a ma
ton Of dyspeptics; and it would
appear that Il case Of Indigestion
lost the South it's Independence!
Unlike Bonaparte, Gen. Lees
noble soul never threw the onus Of
a failure upon his subordinates.
sit is all my fault" said he, after
the failure Of Pickett's charge at
Gettysburg. Nor did he ever
blame a subordinate, but himself
assumed the responsibility for his
failure, when he believed the sub.
ordinate had striven his utmost
for success. This noblenesS of soul
it was that drewl his officers and men
to him so devotedly, and made his
army such a power. There was q
justice in Lees army, aud a strong
er than justice-charity aud broth
erly love, with faith and hope.
These Christian virtues browning
his genius as q commander make
him a unique figure in the military
history oithe world. Ranking
near, if not the equal Of Bonaparte,
Caesar and Alexander in ability,
how incomparably superior vas he
in character Whoever stood iu
his presence but felt the force Of
his character and believed himself
ever after a. better mans The
South failed. Yet she produced
the grandest character Of the
nineteenth century, and one Of the
noblest in all the centuries. No,
the cause was no failure that gave
to history Robert Edward Lee
d. F. BOYD.