Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-02-20
NUMBER s.

In Sacramento City the distress hn 8
been pitiabIe enough. But the chari-
ty of the metropolis has been noble,
and the energy of Sacramento itself
admirable and now if the clouds will
be content with the mischief already
wrought, the marvellous recuperativc
energy of California will speedily show
new triumph. Flood and fire are
trifes here. The enterprise is amphib-
ious. The business-sonl of this pco-
people is phoenix. Already farmers
arc beginning to rejoice over the prob
able determination of gophers and
grasshoppers by the torrents--and the
thirty or forty thousand dollars sent
from San Francisco to the suffer
ers in Sacramento must be taken
as new comment on the text MANY
waters cannot quench love, neither
can the floods drown it,"
We have had chance here to nib
bic at the National Loan. As we
took only about $500, 900, the word
nibbie, you will see, is fitly chosen.
We cannot obtain the certificates ut
once; we must subscribe and pay,
and wait sixty days for the docu-
ments. There is not, therefore, the
stimulous which actual possession Of
the notes supplies, and spreads by
contagion. Moreover, there was no
time to reach the interior, and arouse
the interest of the people who hoard
money, from their fear Of all securi.
ties. Still further, money is fifteen to
eighteen per cent. on good "collatc-
raj" and we must feel the pressure Of
the war more heavily to start the en-
thusiasm that subscribcs at loss of
eight or ten per cent. a year. When
the notes come back in response to
this subscription, and people see them,
if the books are opened for another
loan, we expect to do something near
er our duty.
The reception of Col. Bakers body
brought the war closer to us than
anything we have read. He was very
popular here, and the sorrow was
wide and deep while his body
lay in state in the largest hall
of the city. Hon. Edward Staply,
formerly member of Congress from
North Carolina, delivered an Grafton
Dec. llth, and the Episcopal Burial
Service was impressively conducted
in the hall by Bishop Kip and an adj
mirable choir. At the grave, Rev.
Mr.. King made an address and offered
prayer. The day was one of the love-
lest with which winter ever blesses
San Francisco, and the scene in tho
cemetery at the burial was the most
impressive demonstration of public
respect and sorrow | ever witnessed.
Our Christmas festivities we're very
gay in spite of the deluge of rain. 1t
would not be Christmas here if the
streets were not knee-deep in mud.
Christmas is the gift season. New
Years day is the calling festival.
There have been few signs of war,
poverty, and peril in the shops, on
the week before Christmas. In fact,
as yet San Francisco has not been a
sufferer from the Eastern disturb
auces. But we are holding onr breath
at the possibility of war with England.
The wires have been down a week
now, owing to the storm on the Sierra,
and we don't know where we stand.
All we can do is to pray against the
calamity to civilization, with the hope
not endorsed, suppose, by the
general estimate of us-that we are
righteous.
A Russian steam frigate is in our
harbor, and splendid ball was given
two or three nights since 10 the Off
GERS, by some OF our best citizens. 1t
was really a charming affair. speak
from knowledge. | am no dancer, but
| went, and was richly repaid by the
sight of the hall, decorations, and
company, and by the opportunity of
conversing with the very intelligent
and dignifed commander of the fri
gate. He talks English huently. 1t
is surprising how instinctively every
body here INDUCES the feeling that
the Russians are our natural allies.
Ii war breaks out with England, pco-
pie believe that, before many months,
the guns of this frigatc will be de-
claiming Russian, with the hiss and
crash of shells, in our behalf. Heaven
save us from the need | noticed
that there was even one of our San
Francisco clergymen at the festival.
1t is pardonable, perhaps. as the
quadrilles were TO strengthen the
bonds of national goodwill. At any
rate, | will be kind to him, and not
mention his name. But it will not do
to tire your types, friend Ii. l may
wish to beg the favor again. Let mo
close by wishing you and the Great
West you represent, a Happy New
Year! If dared, | should say, would
that were to spend it with you
s. c. G..