The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-10-08

Il
will return from the war wiser, if not
better man, and henceforth will be bet
ter teacher Of posterity. Everything that
he hears and sees, outside of the strictest
military discipline, is an appeal to his
manhood. This development, compared
with what il would have been under the
less exciting influences of home life, is
rapid and great, and none are too old to
learn in the school Of the Army.
Besides the cardinal idea Of the soldiers
life, and the one which above all others
excltes and controls him, and supports
him under the real or fancied hardships
of military campaign-the one that in
spires him with heroic valor and enables
him to face danger on the Geld of death,
| is that Of usefulness There are few who
can bear the thought of living merely for
selfish ends. An outgoing bene6cence is
inssnctive, the opportunity Of serving
mankind is not offered to every generation
with such promise of fruit and fnllness of
blessing as that which now calls us to
arms and conquest, and it is the privilege
OF the soldier to rejoice in the hope that
he too may achieves great purpose. He
stands for the defence Of the best Govern
ment upon earth-fos constitutional lib
erty and republican institutions, and liv-
ing or dying he attains his purpose; he
lives not nor dies in vain. He viii at
least have given greater significance to
the great cause Of human liberty. Priva-
tion aud privilege thus alternate in bis
experience. Light and shade mingle in
the kaleidoscope of his eventful life, and
the scene varies with coming time.
The most permanent excitement OF the
soldier, aside from the peril of his coun-
try, which has called him to the field, is
the thought of home and loved ones left
perhaps alone to struggle with fortune in
the battle of life. have been seated by
the side of the husband and father, when
the conversation would turn upon Home.
II may be you have not heard, as have,
the full heart delivering itself OF feelings
which it reomed unable longer to restrain.
How do the chords of affection vibrate At
the touch of confidential sympathy, atthe
thought contemplating, of wife, child,
mother, emotions too deep for utterancc,
and TOO tender for the public ear, fill the
soul and wrap it in the bliss of prayers
and tears. Ny country called. I feh hat
mua 90. ! put all upon the altar and
am here. Languagu of the patriot heart
Gu. spoken, thousands take up the glow
ing sentiment, and the future historian,
ov er-looking dignities and titles, and the
biazonry of popular favor, will set it as
the GROWING jewel in the diadem of mod
crn history. The child that Ind grown
W by the side Of brother and sister, that
had nestled in the embraces OF doting pa
rents, to whom he had ever looked for
guidance and protection, and knew no 9th
er heaven than that of home-he is with
us. A letter comes. With eager haste
he reads. His eyes swim in tears, and
he seeks private retreat to give himself
up 10 thronging memories and living loves
Not strange. indeed, if the veriest "cos-
mos apparently regardless Of home, and
proof against the touches of tender SEN
timent, does not, after all, realize that
there is magic attraction and home
center from whose influence he cannot
wholly escape. as be mounts the tide of
fortune and unites his destiny to the sue
cess of our arms. Obedient to the be-
hests of divine passion you may see one
here with board upon his knee, another
beside rude box, or third lying fiat up
on the ground in thoughtful mood, and
with busy hands inditing the generous
sentiments Of his full and warm heart
'Tis letter" Of course, and though it
may be wanting in the elegancies Of liter
airy finish. it is the expression of q words
that breathe and thoughts that burn" A
wearing campaign in an enemy's country.
or the distance Of intervening time, may
abate something of the intensity Of feel
ing, bat after all our country is dear to
us only in proportion as it secures to Us
the sacred privileges and blessings that
render our homes 80 dear.
In the 30th Regiment we have now had
two months-some more, some perhaps