The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-01-17
FROM TIFFIN.
TIFFIN, O., Jan 5, 1871.

~ HANs S's Ooh " 4Ot L.
DEAR SPIRIT: Another year with al
its events, hopes, aspirations and disap
| pointments has been rolled into the abys
of eternity, and still your pleasant ant
Intelligent face continues weekly to glad
den my household.
Knowing that you cannot make you
weekly rounds for the entire year with
out some of the worlds filthy lucre, t.
sustain the inner, and adorn and deco
rate the outer man, I send you enclosed
the wherewith to enable you to continue
your regular visits to me and mine fol
another year.
And here, under ordinary circumstan
ces, my letter to you, kind "Spirit,'
would end; but I write to you at this
time under (to me, no ordinary circum
stances: You are aware that early in
(September visited, for the first time in
-four years, "Old Monroe''-the old
home-the place Of my nativity, youth
and mature manhood. During my so.
|journ of some three weeks, I had much
pleasure in the company Of old friends
while enjoying their hospitality; out, in
the midst of this enjoyment, there was
an undercurrent of anxiety anG forebo.
dings: My aged and, to me, ever kind
father was iil-wasting away; his iron
constitution was being weakened and be.
coming less and less secure through the
visiting influence of over three score
and ten years. It soon became apparent
that it Was my duty to remain with him.
and / became almost constant sojour-
ner at the Old Home for near three
months until it pleased the Father OF
All to take that which He had given. and
my aged parent was at rest. Here, and
in this connection, it is not of myself
would speak, but of the kind citizens of
Wooisfeld and its vicinity: Ever pro-
verbal for their kindness in the sick
room, they more than filled the full
measure of their merited reputation in
their kindness and devotion to my ia
ther. All sect and political partizan diff
ferences was ignored each We'd with the
other in his efforts to relieve suffering,
and to crafty real or imaginary wants.
A truly gratifying mark of enlightened
Christianity, and of q true and genuine
Brotherhood in man Sd ye
"When each can feel brothers sigh, 2
And with him bear part, .
When sorrow flows from eye to eye,
And Joy from heart to heart" e
When soured. and disgusted with our
kind by oft repeated scenes of sectarian
and partizan strife, such kindness as was
by the good people Of "Old
Monroe during my fathers illness, re-
stores to US our love for humanity, and
again begets confidence in our fellows,
There is one class Of your citizens of
whom | would specially speak. An old
proverb, speaking Of the language of the
principle nations OF the earth, says that
the English is used for commerce, the
French for conversation, the italian for
song, and the German for friendship
as my father was on every
side by German household, l had good
opportunity to see this proverb fullyyer.
fled, not only in language but in numer-
ous and constant daily and hourly acts
and ,leeds-forming beautiful green
spot along the wayside of life, to which
my memory will often recnD and on
which it will dwell with pleasure.
As the only surviving son / wish to,
return my thanks to the good people of
''Old Monroe" for honoring my father
with their confidence for the last twenty
one years,
To his aged and ever attentive com
panion, physicians nurses, and those
who so often clustered around his sick
te
bed, I would say that there are times in
human existence when the tongue should
be silent, the intellect dumb. and the
heart alone should speak. IT'S thus /
would speak my gratitude and love for
you-through the heart and to the
hearts.
With full heart allow me to con-
clude in the beautiful and truthful Ian
guage Of "Old Monroe's" gifted SON
her own native poet:
, y 81
But there is not, on any soil,
More honest, generous men Of toll,
Than these, thy sons unstained by spoil.
In hope they ever plant the seed
In faith prepare for time Of need,
In charity the hungry feed. q" t
And purer winds did never blow,
Nor brighter waters ever flow;
Than far the sons Of "old Monroe
And though thy hills may rugged be,
And strangers find no charm in thee,
Thou ever hast charm for me-"
JOHN D. O'CoNNoR.
FROM PINEvILLE, MO.
PlNEvILLE, Mo, Jan. I, 1871.
EDS. SPIRIT: The old year is gone
another wave has swept across the "bil.
(, <;x,o ond n .rr1onr,,y Nm; ~ a >