The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1861-11-27
For the TINES
Union Levee.


a few days since, listened to an animated
conversation between the srnior proprietor
and two very patriotic ladies' Of McGregor
The chat was relative to the feasibility 0
organizing series Of sociables for the win
ter which would result in practical bcnefi
TO our friends now in the service of tn,
country. was much pleased with the
drift of the conversation and resolved tt
appeal briefly to the public through tn,
columns Of the Times.
1t is known that the Congrcgationalists
have opened in the "Sociablc" line-one O,
two very pleasant meetings having already
taken place. The Bapti~ts are contempla
ting something Of similar kind and the
Mcthodsts will doubtless follow suit. These
SociableS, or Dime Societies." as some
call them, have for their Object the gather.
ing of Sort Of peter, p. nee" for the
churches which the rcpresent,-Gf mis-
take the object, your readers will attribute
the error to all unlamiliarity with church
matters.) At this most melancholy junct-
ure Of our National affairs weuld it not lie
more to our actual Interest," saying nothing
of our credit-to devote the proceeds OF
these meetings to the bpnefi, Of the soldiers
who have gone from amongst us to fight
the battles Of the coun,ryy The chur, hes
are doing well enough and neither ministry
nor membership are suffering for conven-
fences. Our troops, however, are absolutely
in want Of many necessaries which cannot
be supplied by the government. So sudden
was the demand f"r the raising Of our i'm.
mensc army that all the efforts Of con,rac.
tors, manufacturers and importers, have
been inadequate to supply the bold soldier
boys with what they absolutely require
If wounded or sick they want many little
supplies that can be furnished from home
much easier, cheaper, and more readily than
they can elsewhere be obtained. We all
want to help them, and in no other way can
we so useful as in the manner proposed.
If 1T is deemed advisable to devote the
proceeds Of Sociables to this purpose why
not hire hall; have Military Levce or
Soldiers Sociable once week or once in
two weeks and dispense with the semi-secta-
rian organizations about developing them.
selves? Make these Levees tributary to
the Sanitary Institution already established
and devote all our efforts to the relief of
those who need help abroad and whose
eyes and hearts are turned homeward for
assistance. Let music he provided SO that
the assembly can promenade if deemed ad.
viSable; these levees should be made as
attractive as is consistent with innocence
and good sense and in these times music
is the life of a party. Name the meeting
something to convey the idea of military
relief and all the town will attend. The
amount collected can be passed to the
Treasurer Of the Sanitary Society the
money would be properly expended regu-
lar reports can be made to the public thro'
the papers or otherwise. Refreshments
can be procured for the visitors, but as the
object is to raise fund out Of patriotic i'm.
pulses ! would suggest the propriety of
fasting. lie who cannot derive ten to TWEEN
ty or fifty cents worth Of happiness from
two hours companionship with one or two
hundred Of the patriotic and beautiful la.
dies of McGrrgor, without supper thrown
in, is too u gallant citizen to address and
| shall not argue the point go, .nt 81.
In these Union Sociablcs we shall all get
acquainted. Strangers coming among us
could drop in on the plea OF love Of coun.
try and it, defenders. No fornality would
be required or expected and We could have
the j'llitst times in town. The harmony
which once distinguished us as a people,
but xhCh under the active rivalry of Sec.
tartan interests has measnlably departed,
would soon be fully Restored. Balls, this
winter will not be numerous. One ball
will cost an attendant more than the whole
series Of Union Lcsees and we do not feel |
INV OuJ AOUS anu OIOtDeCS
arc in the deadly breach or in the hos.
pital; tho Cotillon of Death, danced to the
music Of Yankee Doodle, is the order with |
our distant friends and but few people in
the United States should he unwilling to |
dispense with frivolities while our brave |
defenders are in agony. We can be happy !
at our Levees because the meetings will he |
based on the idea Of doing good for those
We love. Let such organizations take place
all over the country and thousands of CRATE
full prayers will go up from soldiers and
soldiers families for the blessings which,
will follow.
The ladies' Sanitary Society n do not
know the name Of it, ,.a.ets at Kenneiy's
Hall on "Wednesday night let us alI 60
there and start this good work without de-
lay. r.