The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-03-12

BY LOTTIE LOTTERY.

How often we see pride and self esteem
more prominent in the human organization
than the humble traits of character, and
we will try and show why they are SO self
evident. Let us take the military man for
our first example, as affairs de militaire
claim the most attention at present. Let
us look at him as he first leaves the peace
ful pursuits of life -hastens with electric
speed to headquarters, petition in hand,
claiming Colonelcy, then, as he dons his
gay military suit and beholds the power
which has been placed in his hands, does
he not look around him watching with
eager eyes the impression he is making
upon the people! Does he parade his CON-
mission before you with patriotic feeling
alone? Could he not have entered the
ranks as high private and show just as
clear case Of country loving patriotism as
by wearing gay apparel and flashing epau-
lettes? As he rushed before the cannon's
mouth in sight of his commander, did he
study over the chances of promotion for
gallant behavior upon the battle feld?"
And why promoted? To serve his coun-
try better for larger salary, for greater pow
err; or, to sum it all up, ITO be seen of
men ~
| Let us look at the oratorical minister as
he rises step by step by his eloqucnce and
power Of rhetoric from the humble theo-
logical student to she great gun that thun-
ders, roars, and revcrbcrates from one part
Of the globe to the other. AS he rises in
his pulpit with the consciousness in his
heart that he can eectrify his audience,
does all pride and worldly lust leave his
soul? Does all thoughts Of his princely
salary glide from his mind? Does meek
and humble spirit pervade his being as he
stands before his people an avowed follower
of the famed Nazarenc; or, does this tho t
dwell uppermost in his mind all done, "to
be seen Of men?'
Did the President Of the United States,
who stands below none in his appointed
place, issue cards Of invitation to eight
hundred guests, notables Of our country,
and hold high carnival with wealth, fash
ion, and extravaganza, that the noble cause
Of our country might be subserved-that
the greatness and power Of this mighty
nation might be shadowed forth to the gaze
of an envious world-that the great re.
sonrces Of the country might be developed
and thrown into the avenues of trade and
commerce or, was it to crafty selfish
pride and ito be seen Of mcn?''
Does the saamander fireman rush up
steep ladders, Chamber through cracking
windows, stand over the yawning gulf of
fire boiling beneath him, watching the tum.
bling roof as it crashes into the fiery vor-
tex, slide down frail water spouts, and with
herculean efforts battle the destroying
element that the building already past SAL
walton may be saved that some article OF
furniture be rescued in a damaged condi-
ton unfit for use again that some life
insurance company may venture risk
upon his lif. for the benefit of his wife and
children ?-or, ito be seen Of mcn!'
Does the young apprentice in masonry
labor night and day to become perfect in
his profession that he may erect marble
editice on purpose to adorn city-to fill
his pocket with coveted gold ?-or, that his
labor may "be seen of men ~
Does Blondin stretch a rope across a
yawning Chasm beneath Niagara and
peril his life thereon that he may leave an
honored memory Of good deeds performed
an example worthy of imitation by fol-
lowing generations 9-or, "to be seen of
mcn?"
Does the school-boy as he mounts the
rostrum and beholds the sea Of faces ex.
pand before his vision, utter the memory
committed words to enlishten the minds of
his hearers ?--or does the enthusiasm Of the
moment picture spell bound thousands
| listening with hushed breath to his burning
eloquence-does the thought enter his
heart before he leaves the stage ito be seen
of men?'
Docs the poet as he studies the art Of
rythm spend days and years running with
poetic. feet over acres of music and melody
racking his brain for words that rhy thm,
that some new principle in poetry may be
developed some newspaper benefited p
that some great and permanent good may
be accomplished ?--or, that his name may
| "be seen Of men!"
Does the aeronaut seat himself within the
car attached to the light but powerful ma
chine above him, and sail away far up into
the blue ether above the earth, stalking his
life upon the tenacity Of a few folds of pre-
pared silk, that he may develop some new
principle Of atmospheric rarity, density,
and pressure ?-finding currents and coun-
ter currents, thereby promoting the object
of his birth and education ?-or, Ito be
seen of men!''
Did the gladiator, condemned by Roman
cruelty to fight an inluriated tiger with
pointless weapon, wind his tosa around his
arm and rush into the arena and battle with
his blood craving antagonist 'to be seen Of
men ?" lie was "seen of men," but his
arm was nerved by the hope Of life and
liberty.
49, On Saturday last. at Cleveland,
(ohia), respectable girl, nineteen years of
age, from the country, while waiting for
the train that was to convey her home to
Berea, was decoyed into hack and there
brutally outraged by the driver, abetted by
| one Qdoen Crittcnden son Of q nrominent