St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-03-10
TOPICAL TALK.

torical matter. The papers that are read
before that society have a value that
will be better appreciated by future
generations than they are now; and
for the most part contain detailed state
ments of matters that are only touched
upon in a general way, if referred to at
all, in the published histories of thee
war. l was never more entertained
than l was last Wednesday evening by
listening to Col. HANS MATTsoN's vivid
description of the reconstruction period
that unique era in our national his
tory which is without precedent, and
which, l pray God, may be without a
repetition. Col. MATTsoN's experience
i'll the work of reconstruction was
confined to Arkansas. but his aecmnt
of it served to give an insight to the
condition of the entire South at that
time. There was blending of pathos
and humor in his narrative that gave it
fascination. and yet it was compila-
ton of facts that give the paper extra
ordinary value as contribution to our
national history.
Among the ludicrOus incidents re-
lated in Col. MATTsoN's paper, none
had more humorous charm than his
description of JEFF THoMPsoN's sur
render of his 5000 ragamuffins. The
men would have served as models for
SHAKEsPEARE's racy picture of old
JOHN FALsTAFF's recruits, while their
leader, who was a most unique figure in
the history of partisan warefare, re-
ceiyes a sketch from Col. MATTsoN's
facIle pen that deserves to be perpetu-
ated. When the noted rebel partisan
appeared in Col. MATTsoN's presence
to give token of his submission to the
federal authorities by making tender
of his sword, and with it surrender of
the rabble soldiery who were ac-
counted among his followers, he was
clad i'll suit of snow-white, from the
plume in his hat to his shoe straps.
After the formalities of The surrender
were over, THOMPSON climbed up to the
deck of steamboat, from which he
proceeded to deliver farewell address
to his late army, which was taken down
in shorthand by one of Col. MATTsoN's
staff officers: and most curious piece
of literature it is. He told them he
hoped to God they would make better
citizens than they had soldiers. He
wanted them to go home aud go to
work, and if they didn't behave Them
selves and obey the laws, it was his
ardent desire that the United States
government would hang the last son of
gun of them.
NJ 20,
Thoughtless people have laughed at
RIDDLEBERGER's escapades in the sen
ate, while the more thoughtful have ex-
perienced feeling of humiliation that
such scenes should be witnessed in the
high places of the land. AS yet there
is pathetic side to poor HAIRY
RIDELEBERGER'S disgrace, into which
comparatively few have had an insight.
He has wife who is a lovely woman,
and four as interesting children as ever
graced parents home and heart.
Their suffering is Obscured from the
public view. but it is none the less in
tense. When l first knew RIDDLE
BERGER he was editing little paper in
country town in the Shenandoah val
ley. He was as brightand as handsome
young man as there was in ali the val
ley. and his warm. genial nature, asso-
ciated with a frank. open manner, made
him favorite with all classes. He was
then, and is yet. as honest as the day is
long, and courageous to fault. He
early eyinced partiallty for politics.
and was elected to the state legisa-
ture as a Democrat. One day he
Hallyn6 inf hic oHS
and said to his partner, "SMITH,
we will have to dissolve partnership. I
have made up my mind to join MALONE
in his readjustment movement. If we
succeed | shall land in the United
States senate" But if you don't
succeed, what then?' asked the
partner. ''Why, shall only be Oh
my back, as | have been a hum
dred times before" was the laughing
reply. Poor fellow-little did he realize
that he should have both experiences.
Politics ruined him. First it was the
social glass, then the treat for the boys,
then complete slavery to the fiercest of
masters; and the political career which
opened with such brilliant promise has
closed in darkness. There is lesson
in RTDDLEBERGER's downfall for all
young politicians.
The stage wag was right when he
said signs are the most misleading
things in the world. The signs stuck
up in street and cable cars are confirm
atory of the proposition: "Persons
must not get on or off this car while in
notion just as if any one could get on
or off unless in motion. Then there is
the cable car legend, PAY your fare to
the conductor" when it would not oc-
cur to one passenger in thousand to
jump up and run out to pay it to the
gripman or brakeman. Another cable
car Inconsistency is the order prohibit
ing passengers from ringing the bell
when they want to get off. They are
advised to signal the conductor, Wild is
expected to do all the bell ringing for
the train, without it ever occurring to
the managers that the conductors IA
vorite position is on the rear platform
with his face turned the opposite direc-s
ton from the way the train is going,
and that there are times when all tlle
halloOing in the world couldn't rouse
him from his meditations. Only fle.
other day lady wanted to get ofEat
Western avenue. All her frantic efforts.
aided by those of all the passengers,
could not arrest the attention of the
conductor until the train had sped
half block along. Then he said his
orders were to stop only at street cross
lngs, and refused to ring the bell uatiI
the next street was crossed. The LAZY
had to walk back a block. and WASN'T
she mad?