Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1868-12-24
FROM PHILADELPHIA.
Correspondence of the Gailipolis journal
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. II, 1863.

h1LADELPHlA, Dec- Il, 1868.
My DEAR JouRNAL:-After a most
delightful fall, overcoats, furs, muf-
fed hands and necks, with the ther-
mometer marking from Is to 200
above zero, admonishes us that
winter is upon US. Well, let the
clustering railer" come, like true
philosophers we'll welcome him to
our grateful firesides, and drive dull
care to blazeS. In less than fort
night the holidays will be here.
Already the children's eyes begin to
sparkle and dance as they gaze into
the windows of the thrifty shopmen,
who, with practiced eyes, display
their wares in the most seductive
manner The Yule-tide time and
New Year are most profitable bar
vests to these caterers to youthful
taste, and the demolition of pocket
books.
Business is still quite lively in our
city. Our manufacturers, always
celebrated for the staple quality of
their wares, are all full of orders, and
the probability is, will keep so, until
the next season commences. Amuse-
ments are in full-tide, and what,
with opera, theatres, concerts, cir
cuses, lectures, ETC., we have gay
time.
Being something of astudent, and
priding myself somewhat on my
powers of endurance, charged my
pipe, last night, and tackled the
Presidents message. l struggled
with it manfully, and although | ac-
complished the task of reading it,
yet swear to you l don't know
what it is all about. All L could
learn was, that he was still "harping
on my daughter" that eonfounded
''policy" that thought had received
its eternal quietus in November. [
did intend to devote this evening to
the reports ofthe various Secretaries,
but my experience with ga. j" last
night, has forever robbed my mind
of the brilliant fulminations of these
worthy gentlemen. "Notfor Joseph,
if he knows it"
Congress has put on its harness,
and seems to be getting ready for
work in earnest There is plenty to
do, and it behooves them to do it
well.
1t brings to memory a vivid re-
collection of the good old times of
twenty years ago, to see the name of
NASH to the fore of the gallant old
Journal. (Parenthitically, it may
be unkind to date so far back, but
you are an unconscionable, and |
very much fear, an incorrigible old
bachelor, and it is but retributive
justice to remind the fair danes of
your Gdllic city that you are no
''spring chicken.") Twenty-years
ago! Ahl my Journalistic friend,
what changes have that one short
score Of years wrought! We had
then just closed a successful war
against the Greasers, beyond the Rio
Grande, and placed the highest award
Of the nation upon the brow Of one
of IT'S heroes. And now, the grand
Captain of the late and most horri-
bic and uncalled for rebellion has
received at the hands of greatful
people the highest commission with
in their gift; and his name an almost
hallowed one in every mansion and
cot in the land. Albeit my own po-
litical opinions are not exactly of
your "side of the house." yet can
not resist the inclination to accord
to greatness and worth their true
need of praise. 1t may seem heret-
ical in me, an "unterrified' apostle
in the ranks of the great unwash-
ed, yet | cannot help thinking he is
"the right man in the right place"
A soldier who has risen from sort
of Inspectorship to hunt up, and re-
port on the number and efficiency of
the old .fusees, shot-guns, etc, of
Illinois. to be the General of our
whole armies, and successfully close
the war, and from that to be over
whelmingly elected President of the
United States, is man of whom no
other word can be written than
GREAT, and in big letters at that
1t would seem that even the weak |
noddles of those uery ,ceekly newspa-
pers, with which the country is
cursed, would see fool and ass reflect
ed in every sentence they write to
the contrary. | try to reconcile
myself to the DEGREES of Providence,
and endeavor to school myself in the
belief that all things are created and
exist for some good purpose, but
why a community should be afflicted
and cursed with a certain class of
newspapers, (God save the title) is
more than | can comprehend. l
would like to write the history of
some that | know. When I am un-
fortunate enough to read their foul
mouthed twaddle, / cannot help
thinking Of ''Tam O'Shanter's" mid
night ride, when she of the equity
cetI w Sio dIIOI Ililli,
"Ah, Tam! Ah, Tam, you'll get your fairin.
In hell they'll roast you like herrin."
is rather suggestive.
| had intended to write of some |
of the changes that twenty years
have wrought in Gallipolis. From a
village ofa few hundred inhabitants
to a city of nearly as many thou
sands; its wealth, etc, but newspa-
per is not an omnibus, and as of yore
[ think l hear you say-"copy! Out
of my sight you miserable Deva, our
space is filled" Some other time.
when l am ''i' the vein," [ will with
your permission, trouble you again.
For the present, as Father Richie
used to say, nous Uerronsi P.
Sad Accident,