Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1865-02-09

agony the dearest frIendS nave passeo
over the flowing river into the great
Beyond ; and our brilliant future has
been Negatire. Then it was hard to
comprehend that a negative quantity
is less than nothing" but has not the
knowledge come to us experimentally,
by little experience, all too soon, as
we walk in the pathway which has
been marked out for us T? -.
I We are constantly reminded of the
positive and negative relations of life
and qualities Of our fellow men as we
journey along. We have the mega
tive politician. He carefully studies
every telling incident, closely notes
every ebb and flow in the tide of pop
ular favor, and keeps his wings plu-
med for instant flight when policy tells
him the way, sits on the fence in a
state Of uncertainty truly amusing to
the observer, ready for a leap on the
promising side. Nothing escapes his
observant eye, and if he, thinks the
bugs and flies will injure or destroy
the wheat crop, how loudly he COM
miserates or laughs at the unfortunate
reapers and quickly joins the mowers
in the meadow But, friend, we would
warn you that appearances are often
falacious. A rain may come yet and
while it will destroy the invading in
sects and save the wheat, it will also
prevent a proper cure of the hay, even
though you should succeed in cutting
large share, and you may be disap-
pointed in spite of all yonr chicanery.
But we know you. Like the man of
which good Mother Goose tells us, who
jumped into bramble bush and sacri-
feed his eyes, and then jumped into
another and scratched them in again,
so you will be ready with shallow
excuse, and turn your coat. Success
to you !--if your ambition aims at the
scorn and contempt of all honorable
men, who may be denominated posi-.
tive who act upon principle and for
the right even though thick darkness
seems to envelope the cause, and de-
feat and censure appear sure. He
will come out conqueror through the
might of Him who rules all things
with divine wisdom.
The purity of life is its beauty. But
there is sort of negative purity, cold,
glistening, icy, repelling, beautiful to
look upon, but striking against the e'-
rors and infrmities of our poor hur'an-
ity with cold, metallic ring. Oh, we
immaculate ones! Incapable OF spot
or tarnish, you turn win cruel scorn
from all who are weaker than your
selves /! While o lriend is prosperous
and above temptation you are loud in
your praises, but one little error weans
you forever.
Ynl say you "cannot handle Goals
without blackening your fingers" We
would not ask Of you the same intima-
cy with wrong-doer that you would
enjoy with one of firm and unwaver-
ing integrity but why forget the NIT
igating circumstances Surely, the
fallen have been sorely tempted, else
they had never strayed so far from the
path of right and rectitude. Are not
the stings of an injured conscience
sufficient punishment for the errors
and faults committed, without the adj
dition of bitter, unfeeling words from
you?
How many have been driven beyond
the reach of help; how many hopes
lost forever by cold, heartless treat
ment Why stand calmly by and
with ruthless tongue tear in pieces
what may remain of the once stainless
name and character? Will you be
better or happier? Or do you think
your own spotless reputation will
gain added lustre by the contrast !?
You forget that your own goodness is
megatirs-that it is untried by ADVERSE
ty and temptation. You are not sure
that you would stand in the tempest
which swamped the frail bark of your
once valued friend. We entreat you,
pause and think ere you complete your
work. There is One who judgeth
from the heart, and in Him dwelleth
mercy and love. Cling closer to Him
and initiate more fully his divine ex-
ample.
But there is purity, warm, com
passionate, lovely, thinking evil of
none, all too good and pure for earth,
but ripening and perfecting for heav-
en-. 1t turns coldly away from none,
but sympathizes with all; assists
naa1 xyharavar Enund friaS Inv avarv