The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1860-08-22
Ar HONE, Aug. 13, 1860.

| Friend Times II smile inyoluntaril,
whenever I seat myself to write letter fol
publication in your paper. Only think o
t. domesticated here in one Of the quiet
est of Western villages, where the people
are provokingly peaceable and proper, ant
a jOt-down-able event is very rare occur
renee, gravely, or rather mcrrily, setting
out to indite epistolary communications
for print issued from the very heart of a
city like yours
How is it possible that I can write any
thing that will interest yourself or readers
But the beauty of lettcr-writing in my
opinion, consists not altogether in beauti
fully-rounded periods and distinctly marked
paragraphs for letter may contain these,
and yet be destitute of the pith and marrow
of really agreeable epistle.
Lcttor-wri.inS is generally complained OF
as bore, or schoolgirl weakness; yet it
is the medium Of much pleasure and hap
piness. If it is bore to send kindly mes
sages, to interchange lively criticism upon
popular music or reading, to record excel
l mt or earnest though s, he writer can have
very little to say, and that little might as
well be left altogether, in nine cases out
of ten.
The tone of such correspondent would
be frivolous, trifling, gossiping, and no
doubt the shafts of mischief, intended or
careless, wing her words We commend
to such person the laconic and affection
ate epistle of the French wife to her
husband which, in English, was this: -
:" write to you because | have nothing to
do; finish because have nothing to say"
This would, at least, be common honesty,
and harmless, if not satisfactory, commu-
nication. If every idle word we speak
bears witness against US, every thoughtless
sentence written must have double weight.
Spirited narratives of passing events, a
summer days tour even domestic Incl
dents, clever criticisms or suggestions, hear
ty gOod-wishes or the offering of sincere
sympathy, these can never offend charity
or good taste; but to write because it is ex
pected Of us, is tiresome hypocrisy no one
should feel bound to keep up, and out of
which, mischief to ourselves or others is
almost sure to rise.
Let me assure that my long silence has
not been from forgetfulness but from va
riety Of other reasons, one of which, was,
now, when politics seems to BE- the all
dDsolbitiS toplC vi Iiic udy. AHh, SpSdhiiIS
of politics, our quiet corner of the world is
being somewhat rocked and hcaved nova
days by that quadrenniel political earth
quake the Presidential Campaign.
Republican and Democratic meetings are
held in every shop, store and bar-room -
speeches are made, and Democratic pole
has been raised, with a banner that floats in
every breeze, bearing the inscription: IS.
A. DOUGLAS" which is, we think, suffi-
cient proof that the majority here arc in the
right track.
| have always ready sympathy with
great political excitement. | love to see
men thoroughly reused, vehemently in
ernest; feeling their manhood in every
nerve, and pressing resolutely forward to
the free expression and bold vindication of
principles and rights. | love to see regu-
lar tornado Of popular enthusiasm careerirg
over the land. love to see the popular
mind upheaving tumultuouSly like the ocean
reused by midnight storm. love to hear
the deep, thunderous voice which speaks
its irresistible might; to see it lit up every
now and then with the blaze Of passion as
it sweeps away the old landmarks and bold
ly dashes against the bulwarks Of power,
policy and partisanShip.
1t is the nature Of our political institu-
tons to keep our people earnest, active. and
alive. Americans " feel their life in every
limb" their freedom in every footstcp, their
rights in every heart-throb. NELL.