The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-01-12
FROM MARIETTA,
; MARIETTA, o., Jan. 1, 1869.

En-. SPIRIT AS l have been stopping
in this beautiful city, for some days past,
seeing "sights' and so on, thought it
best to let your readers know how mat.
ters and things in general are progress
sing in this town, which is noted for
handsome ladies and homel& men, To
commence, in the language of some
poet;
The river is up and the channel is deep"
consequently the steamboatmen are all in
their glory, and everything in the way of
business has been quite brisk for the past
few weeks. The holidays are about over
for this time, and yet 1 don't think Mari
eta was on very much ola ''bust."
Christmas passed away very quietly,
and there is prospect at this writing of
New Years doing the same thing. ! s"s
pose that "Santa Claus visited all the
little folks Tin this part of "Jehavah's
moral vineyard, whose parents are
rich and made their young hearts happy
by the numerous toys, sugar plums, and
.'sich like" which he brought them on
Christmas Eve. And as We are just en-
tering upon the new year it makes me
feel mournful and sad to think of the
thousands of poor widows and orphans
in this once happy land who are to-day
suffering for the very necessaries OF life,
while the rich and opulent are reveling
in luxuries. What n vast amount OF
good could be done if these benerOlent
and philaathropic Yankees would only
open their hearts and give few dollars
to the suffering poor to prevent them
from starvation during this cold and
dreary season of the year. | think their
chances for enjoying heavenly bliss in
that beautiful world of flowers and sun
shine above would be much better than
they are at present.
How many hard hearts would he soft,
ened, how many crimes would be avoided
and how many blessings would be pour
ed forth, (which would be worth more in
the next world than all the bonds in the
universe, if they would be more chari-
table to the friendless and needy; and yet
these bonded lords and aristocrats all
over the country see misery and distress
prevailing in their midst, almost every
where, but never reach forth a helping
hand even to those who have been reduc-
ed to this condition through their instru-
mentality.
Well, dear Spirit, another year has
passed into eternity, and this, the first
day of the year is the one that We should
all look into our hearts, and see if we
have done all we could for the welfare
and happiness of our fellow men during
the year just past and gone. We should
study and see if we have not said or done
something to a fond and loving wife: af-
fectionate parents or kind friends, which
has sent a pang to their hearts and crea
ted 4 sorrow which time alone can heal :;
and no doubt if we would look back over
the past twelve months carefully, we
would discover many changes which we
could make in our conduct towards 9th
ers which would make our short pilgrim
age Oh this earth much pleasanter for us
all. We would see many hearts which
have been wounded by our thoughtless-
ness which could be made happy again
by some little word of kindness. And
we should all resolve with the coming of
the new year, that we will try and pro.
mote good feeling and happiness among
the people with whom we live, and | am
confident that we will all have lighter
hearts and be happier on the 1st of JAN
uary, 1869, than we are to-day.
AS l sit by the fire to-day my memory
wanders back over the past; l tread
agaiu those early haunts which have been
daguerreotyped on my heart with ineilac-
able tints: and the vast host of associa-
tons that are conjured up by these tho is
makes me feel sad to think, of the fond
hopes that have been withered, the sacred
ties that have been broken, and true
friends that have been parted probably
forever, in years agone; and to think
(as we must, that all of these will be re-
peated in the year to come, believe
that this should be day of fasting and
prayer instead of rejoicing.
But know you are weary Of me, so |
will conclude by wishing you and your
readers happy and pleasant journey
through the year 1869. Censor"