The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-01-07
COLUMBUS CORRESPONDENTS.

CoLuhBus. D., Dec 81, 1872.
DEAR SPIRIT The Capitol City,
Eolservation leads ne to believe-spends
her holidays in much the same manner
that other cities do On like occasions =
Let me illustrate; Christmas was usher
ed in; not with the ringing Of bells, the
booming Of cannons,a the glad shouts
Of free, eontented people, and all that
st'rt Of "bosh' that we are taught to be-
lieve our forefathers once indulged in !;
nothing of the kind, but with the decap-
itation Of numherless red gilled, Asunt-
ing, strutting, rompoas gobblers,and the
more modest, but none the less eatable,
"savior of an sncient Roman CITY," bet
ter known in Mearoe blythe classical
licognomen Of goose These sacrideial
fowls were then stuffed with oysters of a
size that 'wodtl eatse an eastern.shore
Maryiandcrs mouth to water, roasted,
and served with such delicious acconpa-
nimsnts, that one was apt to forget his
pruience--and dyspepsia--and lay in a
supply of indigestion adequate for the
next Fortnight Such at least was my
observation, and I fatter myself that
prudence is one Of NY cardinal virtues,
1.-The fact to the contrary notwithstanding.
The people Of Colushbus are represented
rs being vciy pious and fond OF church
going, but when their goodness, their
observation of the outward forms OF re-
iigion, interferes with q a"good square
meal" the spiritual being must give way
aa@ fperfhit the earthly being to hold
converse with the epicurean god. Tis
sad, but then It's true! As general
proposition I don't believe in quoting
poetry, but Owen Meredith in his poem,
"Lucille." 80 we'll expresses the holiday
situation here that transcribe it hy..way
lof illustrating the frailty Of man, when
tempted with good dinner:
I'VE may live without poetry, music and art,
Nay live without conscience, and lire without
4 heart;
We may live without friends we may live
withou. books;
HBut civilized man cannot live without work.
I'VE fasy live without books: what is knowledge
but srieving2
We may live without hope; what ia hope but
deeoiyingp
We may live without love; what is passion bu.
- pining?
But where is the man ths* can live without
/ diningT
iAnd 30 goes the world. Now, then,
when some OF the many readers OF the
SPIRrr disproye the assertions Of Mere
dith, and show the falsity of his perth
nent inquiries, will then admit that the
denizens of Columbus are wrong in CIV
ing way to the good things of this world,
not before. And this is about all there
is Of Christmas here. True, we have a
sensational piece entitled "Divorce," be-
ing enacted at the Athsneum,s and Prof.
/ McAllister, the renowned magician" at
the Opera House; but these are not in
reality pant of the Christmas festivi-
ties, but transient visitors who alighted
here during the holidays. Tomorrow
is New Years day, and my description
of Christmas will apply with equal force
to that occasion. ..s...
The reports of the various Depart
ments and Benevolent Institutions are
all in and printed, ready for distribution.
Last year the appropriations exceeded
the amount raised ty taxation over si1
hundred thousand dollars, and an in
creased levy was imperatiyely demanded.
but our Republican brethren, fearing the
sffecs Of an increased levy upon the fall
and Presidential elections, refused to
fmake #; but instead transferred from
the Sinking Fund the amount necessary
to keep things moving until this winter.
The elections are over; Grant elec-
ted to his second term; and owing to q
skilful gerrymandering of the State, an
Increased number Of Congressman Sc
cured; no necessity therefore exists for
hoodwinking the sdear people" longer,
| aud lfe levy will be largely increased to
inject the additional wants ofthe various
]Beaercleat Institutions end reimburse
/ the distracted Sinking Fund.
The report OF the ~Reform, School for
Boys" is = rare document, and deserves
to be pas away, and salted down, as a
rich specisnen Of pathos, figures and re-
ligion. The report starts out with the
usual formnla. : Thanks to the FatLer OF
all goodness, for health," &c, &C.; then
follows an exhibit Of receipts and ex
penses, and Winds up with publishing q
sermon of some "one hess preacher On
the duty of boys being good, embracing
early piety. and going to Congress at the
first favorable opportunity It is diff
cult matter to arrive at the reason for
sticking this thing to the report, without
it was that moral tail (no pun intend
ed) was needed to their Reform kite
Some Of the waggish fellows here sng,
gest that the Superintendent of that In.
stitution had it limited to him that the
Governor was "naughty boy" himself
once, and this precious document is to
be used to prick bis conscience Others
qint that there arc bad boys in the Legis.
lature, and it is to point out the straigh,
and narrow path to them and many
other theories are advanced as to its in
tended nsc, bat what the real reason was
for its introduction in report is hidden
from mortal eyes, and like many of the
mysteries of the Infinite, will never be
revealed. Let it be recorded IS 9
I..new departure" in state reports.
Thursday, the I'd, that solemn body
known as the Ohio Legislature congre-
/ gates here. The question is often asked
What do they intend doing this winter
That is difficult question to answer, but
Fit caa be told what will occupy much ol
their time: An effort will be made to
Emodify the Adair liquor law-the same
law now on our statutes-but think
with but poor show Of modification
Again, an effort will be made to repes
the Boesel railroad law, passed last win
ter, aud it appears to me with some show
OF saccess. Then comes the big igh'
over the bill fxiag the time for election