The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-02-22
Written for THE TRIBRNK.
A LECEUz2E 10 GID FOLKS Or
ADJUSTMENTS.

Ed. TRIBUNE:-It seems that as a
people. we do not we'll understand how
to amuse ourselves. With all the triumph
of our modern civilization and with all
our grand magni6cence before the world,
as nation, We have yet to learn how to
combine pastimes with instruction and
labor, and adjust our faculty for pleasure
in harmony with the laws of health and
the right end OF our intellectual and
moral powers IL amdsements some OF
our good OLD Folks are sadly at fault
What zee want is 8 real hearty amuse-
ment, that which brightens life, streagth-
ems virtue and ennobles character. You
are too much welded 10 the ''old ways"
so that you, in your blindness, see in
smiling face the very imps Of Satan
ard in the eayer festivities Of life moth
ing but wickedness and if perchance
you hear merry ringing laugh, expires
sive Of happiness, we Immediately see
your eye brows elevated and your dignity
sit cuthroned on the melancholy coun-
tenance of you worthless, who never
smile, or if you do, in such a cold fornlal
style, that we are glad to turn away and
gaze upon nature, whose smiling counte-
nance is ever Indicative of enjoyment
Your maddening greed for gain has made
you a melancholy people. ''All work
and 20 play" is fast wasting your vigor
and driving the plumed angel of Joyous
ness from your social and Individual life.
At times you seem 10 awake and attempt
recreation, but you go at it with a gravi-
ty, more suggestive Of funeral, than of
festival scene. Even your religion has
an earthward gaze rather than heaven
ward, as if if dare not look Heaven in
the face, lest it catch some of the bright
ness and merriment of that beautiful
home Of Angels.
Thus, If We venture upon church fes-
tivities, you must apologize. by remind.
ing the community that it is for the
benefit of the poor, or repairs of the
church, or some equally charitable pur-
pose, as if you deemed it irreligious to
make merry or be glad. You push ahead
and hasten along as if for "dear life, .
never stopping to shake hands with hu-
NOR, or to laugh and grow fat
God has said, by His. word and
works He approves of good cheer aud
mirth." The winds and waters laugh
and dance and sing with leyity. that
must be shocking to the morbid piety OF
modern saints. Right merrily do the
birds MARBLE forth their songs Of joy in
noisy glee, seemingly without the least
compunction unbecoming mirth, or i'm
proper gayety. The bright and merry
wild flowers in budding and opening
sportiveness, have the audacity to laugh
the gloomy and sad visaged one in the
face, as if to say to him, God loves our
cheerfulness. The glowing light Of the
sun, the flying clouds by day and the
gllttering stars by night. all seem blithe
and gay. They are Heaven-ordaincd
preachers of q joyous gospel. But we will
aot forget there is grave side as we'll as
gay one to nature. There is time
to mourn as well as to rejoice, a time to
pray as well as to, dance. There are
shadows and lights-dark clouds and
sunshine--tears Of sorrow and tears OF
j1y.
Thus God has not made nature all
gayety. Both are the gifts OF wise
Father So now, dear "Old Folks, -
don't look 50 solemn if we happen TO
smile or be gay,--and in conclusion [ ask
YOU TO forgive me for expressing myself
for [ do, really feel quite concerned for
you.
There is an old saying, Young people
think Ola Folks are fools, but Old Folks
knoa0, Young ones to be SO, but zee
don't believe either so [ will leave right
hare. FLORA.
. e.5.