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Bloomsburg Morning Press
December 10, 1938 |
The following letter was written, during the civil
war, to 13 year old Paul Wirt by his father, Wesley Wirt on March 27, 1863.
At that time, Paul's father was serving with 171st Regiment of
Pennsylvania's Volunteer Infantry, in New Bern, North Carolina. |
Dear Paul:
You are now arrived at an age when you can begin to understand something of life, and when you should begin to examine intelligently whether or not you are as well prepared as other boys have been for the great contest in which all men have to engage. For a real contest you will find it if you live to the age of your father.
I have great confidence in your integrity, Paul. I know you to be an honest, as well as a sensible, boy; and unless something has changed, or does change, this early character of yours, you will come to be a man respected by the world and by yourself, which latter is of more importance than most people imagine. I do not propose to read you a long homily on the value of goodness, for most youths hear so much of this from inconsistent Sunday School teachers and ministers, and have it thrust before them so often in their schoolbooks, that they are apt to become disgusted - not with piety and morality themselves, but with the constant prating thereof. I only wish to give you my opinion as a man of the world and as your nearest friend, except your mother, in the world. I do not propose to treat as most fathers do their sons, to give you cold and distant advice and imperious directions. It is as a friend and younger companion that I shall always treat you. This I desire to have impressed on your mind that you may be self-reliant and fearless, and actuated by the highest of motives; for as to positive punishment, you will, I think, never receive any from me, unless, in cases of dereliction of duty to yourself or to society, you will consider the disapprobation and indignant astonishment of your father as such. We all have faults and your father and, perhaps yourself, have grievous ones; but this should not hinder us while we strive in our love for correct principle to correct these faults from holding up our heads like men. For to err is human. As Burns says, "A man is a man for a’ that."
Now then, Paul, (and I hope the advice is not necessary), make a man of yourself. This is to be done by education and the education I speak of is acquired by habits of thought and reflection, by observation and reading. These with the love for what is proper and honorable, and a due respect for yourself, will do the work. Mind, I stick for self-respect; for I have no patience with this feigned humility which is so fashionable among hypocrites. One man is as good as another, especially if he knows as much, is as honorable and high-minded as the other. I may see very little of you in the future, for there is no telling when the war and the consequent separation of families will cease; and you will soon be a young man; and I may die any moment away from home. It is true I hope and indeed expect to spend many happy days with you and your mother and your brothers and sisters, but I cannot help feeling whenever I write that it may be my last letter.
Above all things, Paul, if you care for my esteem, and expect to be happy in the future, be kind to your mother; but this, too, I hope is useless caution. It will be well, however, for you to remember that nothing would alienate me from you so quick as unkindness to her, especially in my absence.
Write to me often; and be a little careful as to the style in which your letters are got up - folding, endorsing and all. Such things show the education, or the want of it, of the man; and from such things the world often forms its opinion. Doing things well is many times the only means which the world has of ascertaining whether you know how to do them. As to your studies, they, of course, must be mainly of the common elementary kind: but I am prepared to say that I think you had better soon begin to fit yourself for military life. Our nation is to be a military aristocracy and civilians in the country will soon be mostly found in the army. We will soon have a military aristocracy, and civilians remaining at home will be mere drudges, or at least be looked on as such. Society at home will mainly consist of two classes - the raisers of bread and meat for the army and the buyers and sellers of the same.
Practice mathematical drawings and get hold of mathematical science, such as algebra and geometry, themselves. You can do all this out of school as well, perhaps, as in. You may find it hard work at first, but stick to it, and you will soon come to like it; for the mind invariably comes to love what it devotes itself to a long time. Learn to be neat and exact in your drawings. To this purpose use the best pencils, paper and inks, and keep all your implements and materials in good order. In your studies, never "skip" a problem, thinking you cannot solve it and that you can understand it better by and by. This has been the ruin of many a student. Clear the way as you go, if it does take time. Leave no stragglers in your rear, or your onward progress will be continually hindered by attempts to bring up these neglected friends. You would never get on -- But I must close. I have written nothing as to what is doing here because I wrote to your mother fully a few days ago. Things remain about as they were then. You probably have had all the good advice I have written you, a hundred times before. Nevertheless I, for my part, feel the better for having given it to you. Now then, go in. Follow the dictates of your own conscience, obey the precepts of the Bible, for they contain a morality recognized as sound by all enlightened men in all ages of the world, put a proper trust in the Higher Power and you will not fail.
Your affectionate father,
W. Wirt |
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