The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1868-02-18
LETTER FROM T4FFIN.
T1FF1N. O.. Feb. 10, 1868.

"glad tidings Of great joy" from the old
home-the home of my childhood, of my
youth, and Of my mature manhood, and
around which cluster the memories of an
ordinary lifetime. Twas there / was
born and educated; twas there I was
married and my children were born; twas
there l struggled fer place Of honor in
my profession; twas there | received the
confidence of my neighbors, and was by
them placed in an honoied position in the
| political arena of my State and country
and above all tits there that sainted
mother, an only brother and two of my
children lie buried. 1 shall certainly be-
come less than human, when the hills and
valleys of Old Monroe shall cease to be
dear to me.
"How dear to my heart are the scenes of my
childhood,
When fond recollection has brought them to
view, ee -
The orchard, the meadow, the deep tangled
wildwood,
And all the loved scenes which my infancy
knew"
is sentiment that should be inscribed
on an imperishable tablet in letters of
gold-and one which recurs to my mind
as you make your regular appearance ey.
Eery week-full of little incidents aud
events that, perhaps, attract no notice or
attention at home, hnt which are precious
morceaus to the children far aSay from
the old home. Even the advertisements
are read; and you have no idea of the
amount of news We thus CLEAN from you
of the old friends far away; their bust
ness, habits, associations, success, appa-
rent or real prosperity, are held up in
panoramic review. As We cannot part
with you, your weekly visits being equal
to scores of letters from the dear old
home, you will find enclosed the where
with to enable you to continue your vel
come weekly visits for another year.
You will remember that was at the
|8th of January Convention, and while
there I had the pleasure of meeting, in
the State Capitol, a DEMOCRATIC LEGIs.
LATURE. This was day and time for
the coming of which "I had long pos
sessed my soul in patience, and now
that patience has had her perfect work. y
| felt for the once ''that my lines had
been cast in pleasant places, and that ait
was good for me to be there" Four years
ago, when l was honored with a seat in
that body, we had 4 in the Senate out Of
80, aud 19 in the House out of 105.-
When was there on the 9Th and found
we had majority in both branches, 1 felt
as tho if it was not profane for the lead
er Of the God and morality CD party,
Horace Greeley, to exclaim, (when he had
secured Lincoln's first nomination at Chi
cago over his own rival, Seward, } it would
not be profane in me to exclaim in the
language of good old Simeon: "Now
Lord let thy servant depart in peace since
mine eyes have beheld thy salvation"
To the many friends that II left be-
hind me" in Old Monroe, and who la
mented with me over the departure of
our so.called statesmen from the lands
marks OF the fathers, and who were
treating with contempt the faith deliver
ed TO US by patriots and sages, when ]
lamented, now that our statesmen are re-
storing the landmarks, and are proclaim
ing the faith without 'let or hindrance," "
nwith none to modest or that dare make
afraid, ;" would rejoice with them when
they are rejoicing and mingle my con-
gratulations with theirs. While we feel
thus secure and so much like rejoicing in
our own State We must not forget that
the marauders, by deception, misrepre-
sentation, theft and bribery, are at Wash
ington endeavoring to stab tn the heart
the goddess of Liberty, even within the
sacred temple of freedom, and yandal-
like are destroying every root, fiber and
tendril of the venerated tree of Liberty.
Let US grid on our armor as '.War Dem.
oerats;" if need be, and say to these van
dals in the beautiful and appropriate lam
guage Of the patriot poet, Col, Geo. ?.
Morrisi
Wooaman spare that tree,
Touch not single bough;
III youth it sheltered me,
And I'll defend it now;
Twas my fathers hand -
That placed it near his cot,
Then avandal" let it standj
| Thy axe shall harm itnot.
That old familiar tree
| Whose glory and renowh
| Are spread over land and sea,
| And wouldst thoN hack IL doWnq
| s.Yandal," forbear that stroke!
Cat not its earthbound ties, 's'l
Obi spare that aged oak, as9la 4se-
/ Now towering to the skiesl
When but an idle boy,
/ 4 sought its grateful shade s
In alItheir gushing joy Il
There my sisters played;
/ My metaer kissed me here,
Ny father pressed my hand,
| Forgive this manly tear, s
And let the old oak stand.
My heart-strings round thee cling,
Close as thy bark, old friendt
Here shall the wild bird sing,
And still thy branches bend
Old tree! the storm still bravel
i And yandal, leave the spot;
i WHILE I'VE HAND TO SAVE,
Thy axe shall harm it not.
j That the honest millions who recognize
lin this tree the Constitution Of our com
lmon country may come to the rescue, hur
lthese proud, bondholding yandals ffon
power, (peaceably il We can, forcibls ]
/, we must, and thus restore and presery,
4 1onr -birthright. as an Inheritance to our
iIselyes and to our children forever ant