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

CHICAGO. Feb. IL.
DEAR Mrs. SWISSHELM 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-in which latter mystery even l,
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 yourself, l
can only talk feelingly, not knowingly ;
and as the aspect Of affairs and their con-
duct arouse only anger and distrust my
pen, unlike the generality Of correspon-
dents at present, who seem desirous 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-des;rc that
heroes should be proved such before they
arc worshipped, and look with scorn on
the popular idols periodically set up and
dethronod, exclaiming impatient]y, if op-
portunity makes men, if every important
epoch in history brought forth correspon-
ding ability to meet the cxigency, 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.
6cient head which is no head at the bare
faced robbery and speculation amongst
contractors at the barenecked folly of the
woman who had the most glorious opror-
tunity for becoming famous by good deeds
and chose to become infamous by extrav-
agance in dress and entertainments when
every true wife and mother is practising
self denial and rejoicing in it who Nigh
have achieved glory and chose bonnet
at the modern Boswell whose nlaudlin fiat
terry is worse than an emctic, who imag-
ines he is "looking on at the war" when
he is watching through windows to sec
the President change his linen or chron.
icing McClellan's attitudes at the inso-
lence and i'll concealed desire of interfer-
ence evinced by England with no COM
punctious recollection of the time when
Americans countenancing the Canadian re-
belllon 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 hot, or too cold,
or unhealthy, or impossible, (Napoleon
declared there was no such word in wary
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 risibility will separate us
like two quarrelsome boys and patting
each on the shoulder bid them go their
way and quarrel no more.
I 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 assailcd-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 the couu-
try, our beloved country, topples to fall
only to be God-averted. -.
''RUTH HALL"
We find in the Centreville Gnd.
| Pnnn11:.n.. IN collow;nr wh;oh shor11