The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-12-22
LETTER FROM MIR. DIXON.

In recent number Of the Register Mr.. j.
NJ. Dixon, whose trenchant pen, genial hu.
NOR, and varied journalistic talents have
made him known and esteemed throughout
the State thus addresses his friends. The
Registr, containing it, by some mischance
failed to reach US, and we take it from another
exchange;
"a WORD TO MY FRIESps.-I had hoped
weeks ago to be able to take my pen and make
Acknowledgements, through the Register, Of
the many acts of substantial kindness which
have beer exhibited toward me in my blind
ness by friends at home, and by my brethren
of the Iowa press. The acknowledgment
ought not to be withheld that these friends
and these brethren have not only relieved my
necessities, bnt have saved my family from
suffering and myself from absolute despair.
II is a matter Of profound sorrow with me
to state here that am, TO all appearances,
no nearer the end of my dark journey than
was last winter, when my little boy conducted
his blind father through darkened room and
through streets which we're invisible to him.
1t is impossible to tell how many scores of
times some fancied improvement Of my sight
has dattered me with speedy restoration OF
vision and made my heart leap with JOY
which no mortal can comprehend who has
not travelled through the gloom of this world
without vision or sunshine to guide his wan
dering feet. At such times when CLEAN of
gladness would come down on my mind As
flashes of light come from the sunlit heavens,
/ would take my little ones on my knee and
say TO them, You shall not be beggars 1
Will soon be able to go to work, and then we
shall see happier times. The strong arm of
one who loves you will then save you from
sadness and danger But these times of
gladness, though often recurring, were of
brief duration. Then would come the fear.
full consciousness that my eyes were worse,
and that the hideous monotony of a dark
chamber and diseased .eyes, and <4he phan- |
toms of morbid Imagination we're still re~
served for me amid the solftpdes of a ioyless
life. These apparent Improvements are but
horrid mockeres. They gave me glimpse
OF land OF promise between which and N.Y.
self rolled river of darkness. How |
longed to break down the bars and bolts oil
the prison house in which | was confined and
rejoice in the consciousness of deliyeranee: |
but the bars and bolts were unyieding, the |
dark river was in the way, and the sunlight
beyond had Its blessings for the millions of
earth, but not for me. Friends, do not &C |
cuse me of egotism or obtrusiyeness because
OF tins confession of personal affection and |
sorrow. have employed another hand 10
tell you how grateful am for your words of
sympathy and deeds of kindness. 1t ia pleas
urable to know that though am disqualified
for the active pursuits If life and have been
brought face to face with a great woe, you
have not forgotten me. / have tried to cult.
waite tortitude, and in measure | have sue
ceeded. ! am trying to live in manner
worthy Of the noble and disinterested friend
ship with which you have favored me. Ad
versity has taught me lessons which will be
Of important service during the rest of nv
life. think have clearer and more com.
prehensive view of the duties which deyolve
on me as citizen and as journalist; and if
ii shall please Heaven to restore nv sight.
and give me back my place as an active mem.
Der of society, and as co>worker with nv
brethren of the press in profession which
love above all others, shall begin life again
with purpose to employ whatever energies
+! may possess in filling up the measure OF my
future years with practical usefulness.
To the Printers, Editors, Good Templars
and all others who have generously remem.
bered me and my family when hope was well
nigh gone, let me say in the fulness OF a CRATE.
full heart, God bless you Ny wife and my
children take up the benedicton as it falls
from my lips, and say God bless you.'
~. NJ. DixoS."