Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-11-10
THE COMING WINTER.

ed we NATURALLY TURN our attention TO
things of a more private character
than the silver question, the tariff
question, or some of the other issues
which have been receiving at the hands
of the people great consideration du-
ring the past four months. We have,
all Of us, to some extent, neglected our
business to engage in the more exciting
field of politics. We have cast our in
fiuences to the end that one of the
great parties might be triumphant.
This matter is settled now, and for four
years at least we will not have to elect
president.
We have argued with each other
and referred perhaps in somewhat
uncomplimentary way to the alleged
weakness of our respective intellects
because there was difference of opin-
ion. There may have been warm blood
engendered i'm the heat of controversy,
or we may have gotten little rash and
crowned the other fellow with the title
of "fooI' or ''idiot." These, however,
if said at all, were said with the mind
wrought up by discussion, and will be
forgotten e'er many weeks have pas
sed. However, these discussions are
an indication that the American peo-
pie think for themselves. They have
their own opinions and support them
with the result of their investigations.
And herein, by the way, is the safety
of the Republic.
But we are approaching the cold
winter. The ides of November are al
ready upon us. We have settled the
matter of politics, and we must turn
our attention to other subjects. 1t is
those things which aside from bust
ness considerations interest us that we
desire to consider for a moment. The
winter evenings will be long. What
should we engage ourselves in as we
are gathered around our firesides after
the night has drawn its curtains down?
Should young men loaf around the
stores and saloons, swear, drink, and
chew tobacco, or should they 60 home
and read good books, magazines and
newspapers? 1t would be superfiuous
to answer in the affirmative.
In this country every man, unless he
is favored by inheritance from wealthy
ancestry, is the architect of his own
fortune. If we desire to become some
body or to do something in the world
we must make up our minds that
others will not direct their efforts to
help us be successful. The moments
are too precious to waste sitting on dry
goods boxes or lounging in the rear end
of stores. They were given to men to
improve, not to throw fruitlessly away.
Every moment which has been wasted
is lost. That time which we have not
employed will never return to us and
permit us to have second trial. "The
mill will never grind with the water
that has passed"
Therefore young man, if you desire
to make something of yourself, employ
your time. When your work is done
at night go to your home or to your
room and improve your time these
coming winter evenings. Seek good
books or papers and read them.
Strengthen your mind and fortify your
brain-not with nOnsense-but with
ideas of good and noble men. Possess
yourself with their ambitions and their
ideas and you will be prepared to meet
the battles and accidents of life. Above
all, when you spend your evenings
in this way, you prevent evil thoughts
from taking refuge in your mind.
This will enhance honesty and perpet-
uate virtue.
These few words about how to en-
ploy the winter evenings are not only
applicable to young men, but to all.
They fit the case of the idle gossiper
and the vain fiirt. If people would
devote less of their time to nonsense
and more to good wholesome reading
and employment the world would be
better. There would be fewer insane
asylums and less number of peniten-
tiaries and jails. When evening be-
gins to Turk around this winter think
about these things, and thinking, heed
them. If you do the community and
yourself will be better for your having
done so.