The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1900-11-30
THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS AS BAD
AS THEY APPEAR.

are t0rmented with opinions they
have OF things, and not by the things
themselves II this be so, and evils
and o only torment us in proper.
tion To the judgment We place upon
them, and the light in which we fancy
them, and are not in~trinsically evils
OF themselves, it then lies within us
TO mitigate our troubles, il not really
to turn them TO good account. We
then have it within our power to give
circumstances IA different complexion
and appearance from what they at
first appear to US.
Now, for an example. Some regard
death as the greatest calamity that
can befall them, and cannot meet it
without the greatest alarm and dread,
while Others meet it only with stoical
Indifference, il they even 20 not fur.
Their and rashly and presumptuousIy
seek il.
We have read Of him who told the
persons who vel conducting him to
the gallows, that they must not car.
ry him through such a street, lest IA
merchant that kept a store thereon
should have him arrested by the way
for an old debt" Another said the
hangman must not touch his neck
for fear OF making him laugh, he was
so ticklish." .
Not that we wish to crack any ghast-
~ jokes In regard to the situation in
which our country is placed. 1t is en-.
tirely too serious for that. The result
OF the recent election is indicative Of
the supremacy OF the money power to
carry elections, and from appearances
a free and untrammeled ballot is a
thing OF the past. The country is
menaced with a large standing army,
and the trusts are causing the necessi.
ties OF life to advance in price, max
ing 1t a serious problem for the masses
to obtain food and raiment for those
dependent upon them for support,
Nor do we fully subscribe to the senti-
ment with which we set out, but it is
doubtless true that preceived and
deeply rooted opinions, rather preju-
dices. the result Of education and Gus
tom, do with difficulty undergo the
least modification or change. and are
almost impossible to totally eradicate.
Custom is the greatest master OF
all things" and is as true OF our habits
OF thinking as OF our habits of living.
From the dominant party we of the
South have had to endure evils untold
in number, and unparalleled in ex-
tent. Wrongs have been Inflicted upon
us, g%rievous and hard TO bear-evils
ana wrongs intrinsicaily s0--but ut
the sametime, do we not aggravate our
position by clinging too tenaciously to
former opinions? Do we not cherish
and clasp them with too much ardor
to our bosom, and too perslstently re-
fuse to accept OF anything in the least
at variance with them? Do we not,
Jacob like, refuse to be comforted, and
in sitting down in sackclOtll
and ashes, and ''in going down into
our graves mourning"
All things seem yellow to them who
view them with j%aundiced eyes," and
some OF us. all parties, all men, of
whatever shade OF opinion, OF what
worth, social or moral. are dis
as unworthy, and communion
with them refused. unless they be of
DUR section or hold OUR extreme ultra
views. With such persons nothing
good car come out OF Nazareth. To
such we say, we hear the tramp.
tramp! Of events mighty and
portentious. as they 90 marching by.
They must either fall into line or
stand aside; they must expect to be
jrampled under foot II. with folded
lrms, they block the way.