St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1862-02-20
Letter From truth Hail."
CHICAGO. Feb. IL.

" CHICAGO. Feb. IL.
DEAR Mrs Sw1ssHELM II am not
vain enough to suppose that yourself or
readers have noticed my long silence but
with the all engrossing topics of war and
politics which latter mystery even I,
notwithstanding former apathy, have be-
come intensely interested-there seems no
other subject welcome from either press or
pulpit but the one which fills all hearts,
Now, on such theme, unlike yoursels, l
! can only talk feelingly, not knowingly :;
and as the aspect Of afsirs and their con-
duct arouse only anger and distrust my
pen, unlike the generality Of correspon-
dents at present, who seem DESTROYS of
saying nothing in as many words as posi-
bic. would drop gall too freely, for am in
a blaze of indignation with every official
from the President downward desire, that
heroes should be proved such before they
are worshipped, and look with scorn on
the popular idols periodically set up and
acthronod, exclaimiag impatiently, if oo-
pertunity makes men, if every important
epoch in history brought forth correspon-
ding ability to meet the exigency, where
are our heroes, patriots, statesmen aud
why do We form the exception to the rule?
provoked at the tameness and lameness
evinced in every department at the.inef-
ficien: head which is NO read ; at the bare
faced robbery and speculation amongst
contractors at the barenecked folly Of the
woman who had the most gsorio.ss orpor-
tunity for becoming famous by good deeds
and chose to become infamous by cxtrav-
ayance in dress and entertainments when
every true wife and mother is practising
self denial and rejoicing in it who might
have achieved glory, and chose a bonnet :;
at the modern Boswell whose ntaudlin fat
terry is worse than an cmctic, who mag
ines he is ''}ooking on at the war; when
he is watching through windows to see
the President change his linen or chror-
icing McClellan's attitudes at the inso-
| lencc and Ill concealed desire of intcrter-
ence evinced by England with no COM
FUNCTIONS recollection Of the slime when
Americans countenancing the Canadian re-
belhon would have made it revolution.
I fear it would be improbable to keep to
the safe platitudes Of an itemizer whose
duties are simply to amuse.
1t is said our present cabinet are wise
as serpents. Let us, the people, who send
our best blood to aid their plans, who pray
and pay, be convinced on this subject
When will it not be too hos, or 100 cold,
OR unhealthy, or impossible, (Napoeon
declared there was no such word in war;
to do or die with such an army, with such
unanimity of feeling Why are we the
laughing stock of Europe who when they
can control their visibility will separate us
like two quarrelsome boys and patting
each on the shoulder bid them go their
way and quarrel no more.
1 see you have been making speeches
to the soldiers what can you, what dare
you, say to them. Are they not willing
to risk life, health and happiness for their
country As hope for Heaven, believe
they would to man. What more can be
required of them ? 1t is the motive pow
er that should be assailed-the head that
directs, not the arm that will execute
and while money is pouring from the
treasury by millions, while the army is be-
coming demoralized by inaction, the peo-
pie maddcned by delay, Washington is gay
with revelry and the inhabitants, like
Sodom and Gomorrah; drinking and feast.
ing, or like Nero, fddling while tie coun-
try, our beloved country, topples to a fall
only to be God-averted.
..r..... .,.t sRUTH HALL"