Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1864-02-05
Written for the Cedar Falls Gazette.
EARNEST work.
BY EMMA MAY.

We do not take hold of the work of to day
with the zeal and enthusiasm necessary to Il
complete success.
Neither men nor women work as if cur
Country needed everyone TO help turn the
wheel which makes our destiny. We do not
believe in the iaeeitable; but we Go belieyc
that Providence will act O: not act through
the agency of his creatures. ...
1t is shame to witness, at the corners Of
our streets, in the bar rooms, and in ercry
public place where men do congrcgatc, 50
maHy useless tools of society, who never lend
their strength to pcrp.tuete and make sa.
cred JOY he goodly land bought with our
fathers blood and which must be purified
yet once more ere we can offer icrvent praise
to Heaven because, through fire and eaden
storm, we have emerged into the brightness
of a perfect day. So sure as God reigns
that blessed day will dawn, but not until
our young men shake of the garments o'
ease and luxury, deny themselves the com
iVi 10 VI ilptliS anu SOIiNNy VI
grasp the sword in firm hand, shoulder ,hc
musket, and 60 forth to battle, determined
to conquer or to die.
have no patience with that sort of patri
otism which keeps man in the chimney
corner while his country is groaning unle:
treason and wrong-doing. Ii is vastly mort
! L.. l..
than il is to practice those truths and duties
ourselves. 1t is only an agreeable pas.mt
to sit down by our own fresiacs, aud discuss
the mcmcntous questions pertaining to the
war, assuring our friends that such move
by such general would have been the thiH5
to crush the rebCllion aud the advantage
gained should have been followed up to the
| entire destruction or capture OF our foes. u
SIR, why don't y"u 90 into the army, and see
with your own eyes, ho@ difficult it may bs
to destroy an enemy, even though We con
quer them, and victory after victory is added
10 the right?
We like war meetings, we love to see
enthusiasm displayed in a good cause, but
when the vail is removed, and we are forced
to believe that mems professions conht fol
naught, when they are called to serve thei,
country, and not one will "rally round III,
Flag" The deathly silence whieh follow,
such an invitation strikes home to our heart &
and we find ourselves asking the question
again and again, - will not one brave mar
take his life in his hands, and say, 4" Her,
am |, do with me whatsoever seerne,h best.
Honor to such an one if such an one there
be! Fight not for the biggest bounty,
but Il. the motto be, now and ever" Oul
Country first and last" All how we lovt
it; but alas our words fall far short Of thu
completeness Of our desires. Ir Mey coulG
be gratiiied, we can conceive Of no grandeur
too sublime, nor beauty too magnificent, III
treasure too costly, no life too dear, but Gael
and all be offered upon the sacriticial altar.
There can be no failure. If our young
men prefer the quietness OF home and home
joys for a little time, to the great good whicl
viii be born of this national baptism Of blood
SO be it. In this hour of our country.
greatest need, Gf men fall ace aoomera will ful
fill the prophecy written long ago, and armed
with g lesser" than the usual accompani
ments" we'll go ourselves" -....