The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1866-09-08

VIRGINIA CITY, MONTANA, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER g. 1866
LETTER FROM HELENA,
HELENA, Sept. 1st, 1856

HELENA, Sept. list, 1866.
EDITOR Posi-: Autumn is upon us
promptly, and she comes with sober,
almost sad determination. For the last
three days, cold wind has been blow
ing from the northwest, and the sky of
brass under which we have been pant
ing, has given place to one of leaden
dullness and coldness. There is little,
however, beside the change of tempera-
ture to remind us that the year is getting
old. Nothing can make the great plain
which stretches along to the northward,
look more brown and barren than it has
appeared during the heated term. There
are no birds to emigrate; no flowers to
wither; no leaves to fall. A few black
birds and blue-birds are on the hills
and in the gulches around us which
seem to be making arrangements to
leave; but these never come into the
city proper, and they may come and go
without cheering or depressing those
who have come here in search of gold !;
only gold. Thicker clothing and little
more bustling on the part of those who
are anxious to close up their business
and return to America" with shade
of melancholy on the faces of those who
are to winter over; these are the only
indications of the change of the seasons.
The morals of Helena are not improv-
ing. The sons of Belial, blown with
insolence and bad whisky, do not wait
for night to darken the streets, but offend
in the broad daylight. Fights are too
common to attract attention and this
may be stereotyped until further notice,
like, "All quiet on the Potomac"
Business shows no improvement. The
rival Mackinaw boat lines contend which
shall out advertise. The price of pas
sage to the States seems to have reached
the minimum in $50, from this place to
Omaha. This seems cheap enough, and
if they succeed in making the trip in
twenty-five days, will prove not un-
pleasant way of returning to the States.
Mr.. l.. French, one of our best known
and esteemed citizens, has retired from
the Star Restaurant and will return with
his family, this fall, to the States He
will send down two Mackinaws, and his
line is among those offering to accommo-
date the public.
The Union party have at length reused
themselves up, and are determined to
try their strength at the polls on Mon
day next. They have nominated a ticket,
and without making much ado, as yet,
are working steadily and earnestly The
| great majority of those who have come
to Montana this season are strong in the
Union faith, and the power of the cele-
brated left wing" is on the decline.
There will be Union mass meeting to-
morrow evening, and after that the bal
lot. The Democrats have just held a
pow-wow, which, in the main, was an
improvement on the affair of one week
ago. A weak cause seems, however, to
rest heavily upon their leaders, and their
meetings have not the ring and sparkle
which argues success. What a mockery
it is for an ex-rebel officer to stand before
sensible men and tell them of the great
danger threatening the country from the
exclusion of him and his confreres from
the national legislature. Pshaw! "Ex.
pressive silence" only can do justice to
such tom-foolery.
There is nothing like cheek say,
Doesticks-and after listening to the
latest effusions of Democracy, | agree
with him. Hal.