Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-09-17
From the Witconsin State Journal.
Compliments fF0m m Unexpected Quarter.


Failure braces them up even more than
success would elate them" So writes the
new American correspondent Of the London
Tnaes-said to be a Mr.. NARCOTIC, lately a
member of the Italian chamber deputies-in
speaking of the American army. No higher
compliment could be paid to people In
the letter, from which the above sentence is
taken, and portion of which we copy in an
other column, he expresses his establishment
at the exhaustless resources of the country
and the indomitable spirit of its people. At
ter due allowance for tinge of sarcasm in
his exaggeration of bur eagerness for making
sacrifices, this correspondent recognizes a
trait in the American character which has
been wholly overlooked by our enemies abroad
in their predictions of our failure to crush
the rebellion, and of the speedy dissolution
of the Union. That is, the patient and unwaver-
ing persistence of the Northern masses. While
there is an alloy Of craven spirits and corrupt
politicians among them crying for peace, be-
waling the expense of defending the nations
life, and ready to conclude an armistice with
rebellion, the mass of the people, as a whole,
stand firm as a rock, infexible in their reso-
luton to put down treason with the strong
hand, and to maintain the integrity Of the
national boundaries at whatever cost of blood
and treasure. Temporary failure but adds to
the grim earnestness of that determination.
Again and again they have seen their proudest
army beaten back, scattered and bleeding
before an exulting foe Disasters most unex-
pected-disasters that were deemed impos-
sible-have overwhelmed it. The keenest
disappointment has lacerated their hearts
They have been panied, Inundated, sorely
and grievously stabbed in their proudest
hopes, but they have never for one moment
been shaken in their confidence of ultimate
triumph The decimated ranks have been
filled up; the routed army has been reorgan-
led increased in numbers and mistaken in
spirit, it has again and again been hurled
against the foe until he has recoiled before
it, demoralized in spirit, and glad to assume
a prudent defensive. The spirit of the people
has risen superior to disaster, until, after long
and bitter trial, victory has again perched
upon our banners.
The spirit which the Tines correspondent
describes is one that can only characterize a
great people. 1t is the spirit which gave to
Rome the Empire of the world. The Romans
did not fight better for day than many 9th
er people. They were sometimes defeated.
They were sometimes apparently on the very
brink of ruin. But they never despaired of
the Republic. Failure braced them up" to
new endeavors. Defeat only strengthened
and steeled their indomitable resolution. No
sacrifice of life or property was counted any
thing in comparison with the national wei
fare. The recognition of similar spirit in
the American people brings to memory the
prediction of an English poet, many years
ago:
ssRome was and Young Allan tbs shall become
The WONDER and the terror, and the tomb,
OF all whose steps wake Power luled in its savage
Lair
A VINEGAR SPRING.-The correspondent of
the Leavenworth Conservative with General
Blunt, in describing the strange mineral and
vet fertile country through which the army
passed on its southwark march from Fort
Scott, says that near Bakers Spring some of
the bows dug into a side hill and struck q
gushing fountain of clear sour water-as sour
as if half gallon of vinegar had been turned
into each pailful. 1t was not astringent like
alum water, but had the favor Of pure ascot
ic acid All sorts of minerals abounded, and
sulphur springs are abundant. Coal can any
where be found by digging few feet. All
remains necessary is to settle it with free
labor population.
HUMAN NATURE.-Some wise man sagely
remarked, "there is a good deal of human
nature in man" 1t crops out occasionally in
bows One of the urchins in the school ship
Massachusetts,, who was quite sick, was visited
by kind lady. The little fellow was suffer
ing acutely, and his visitor asked him if she
could do anything for him. EYES," replied
the patient, "read to me-" "Will you have
a story?" asked the lady. "No" answered
the boy; tread from the Bible; read about
Lazarus; ;" and the lady complied The next
day the visit was repeated, and again the Doy
asked the lady to read =" ShaH reao rom
the Bible" She inquired. cob! no." was
the reply, Elm better to-day; read me
love story"-New Bedford Standard