The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-06-21
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT

when bloody conflict was really waged on
that sultry summer night at Gilmans and
the mosquito legions were triumphant and
those discomftted volunteers, after swear
ing, with several more original oaths than at
present required of our soldiers, never again
to invade their territories, were permitted
with reversed arms to take their struggling
hay back to the capitol. With what an
uproarious welcome the grateful and excit.
ed inhabitants hailed their return. Then,
the perils of war all passed, how their
glorious achievements we're celebrated in
ong by the "border minstrels." Had those
tirring odes and thrilling lays of "Watab's
Grounds" and "Gilmans Bloody Plains"
been preserved, they would be invaluable to
some future Macpherson or Walter Scott !;
but, alas, even in the memories of the sold
pioneers" they are fading away. But the
gallant First may gather courage from their
predecessors example. Glory's need and
the applause of grateful people may, per-
chance, await them at home and if forbid
den to express disappointment for being
consigned to an inactive service, they can
console themselves with their inalienable
right of free thought perhaps its exercise
will induce them to consider the nature Of
the service in which they volunteer before
engaging for another three years term.
Then as COOKERS on" they may see novelties
enough to compensate them tor their cha
grin; for there are some things doing, which
makes those ignorant of "the laws" in doubt
whether the curtain before us is to be lift
ed upon terrible tragedy, replete with hon.
ors, or udricus but equally hideous farce.
There are people who cannot help being
moved by a sense of the ridiculous even
amid the direst calamities, and when bowed
with the heaviest sorrows, and such may
anticipate huge comicallties before the d.
vorced States are rewedded !; or, if the ex-
preston is more loyal, before the naughty
whipped boys of the South are through
whimpering, and ready to ask forgiveness of
their stronger brothers who have admins.
tered to them merited castigati0n.
There, you do not like my letter we'll, l
knew you would not. cit is unpatriotic."
That is mistake, else I have failed to ex-
press myself correctly. "Women have no
no business to think of politics." Then men,
especially editors, should manage them bet
ter. "They have certainly nothing to do
with fighting" That is very true. l wish
the nations Of the world would select some
big island, and put it up as field of honor,
where beligerent parties could 60 and have
their fight out all alone by themselves.
"There would be an army of women follow
ing them, with earnest solicitations to nurse
the wounded soldiers" Well, the men are
not the only fools in the world but can
tell you there is one woman that would
stay at home and mind her own affairs; and
that would not be making gewgaw epau-
lettes, or rosettes, or whatever they call them
out of shaving ribbons, or firing her arms
scraping lint, either. I would promise to
let them alone if they would me. They
don't bother me very much now. Folks
don't come into my house talking about the
Christian warfare that is going on and the
incorruptible crowns that all those ugly
Zouave Guards which get shot will win; or the
sinless cherubs the slain apet lambs will be;
if they did they would get an altogether diff
ferent chapter of the Gospel read to them.
But when can't go to my own window,
without first looking out sideways, to be sure
that squad of young Solons, so learned in
the law, arn't marching by, prompt as Ma
jors, with their blue coats and new caps.
But there! must stop this minute, those
abominable creatures "(the donkeys) are
on the lawn" Was ever lore peaceably
disposed woman so plagued.
MISTRESS BETSEY TROTWOOD.