The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-09-18
female hands, and voices almost heavenly,
virgins fair and matron's grave,
Those thy conqueling arms did save,
Build for thee triumIhal bowers.

Build for thee triuml hal bowers.
He shall see the meridian glow of fe-
male patriotism, the journals abound in
records of its maniiestation-now telling
of the noble conduct of a mother, in Civ
ing her parting blessing to an only son-
bidding him be true to himself, to his
honor, to liberty-telling him she had
rather see him in his shroud than to hear
of his disgrace; now of the calm endur-
ance of whole districts of females, who
lived in loneliness, in penury, in all that
anxiety for the fate of kindred and friends
known only to the female heart; now
giving the forcible appeal of some Gamer
lean lady," detailing the ferocity of
foreign foe, who had invaded happy
home, and murdered, or worse than MUIR
dered its helpless inmates--or reciting the
hardslips of their projectors and defen-
ders".-the blood-tracks left by the brave
troops rs they marched over the cold
SHOWS of winter to the field Of combat
the sufferings of the wounded-the sad
want of the bare necessaries of life in
"W ashington's camp and then calling
upon "her country-women" to lend their
aid to alleviate. their miseres and then
comes the details Of the spirited conduct
Of the females of whole districts, towns,
societies, who had purchased, made and
forwarded "to the lady of our illustrious
General" scores of garments for the wants
of "the camp" - those especially being
made mention of who had given up costly
jewels and plate for so noble an object.
And then, here and there. may be seen
the stern resolution of some-as those of
Amelia county, N. C.-not to permit the
addresses of any person, abe his circum-
stances or condition in life" what they
might, unless he had served in the "Amc-
rican army" long enough "to prove by
his valor that he was deserving Of their
love-" Such are the details that abound
in Revolutionary journals. They are
precious memorials. Would that some
diligcnt hand would gather them together
for the benefit Of the ladies of the present
generation!
Again, we say, the efforts of the wives
and the daughters of our revolutionary
patriots, in the cause of Independence,
have not been placed in the bold relief
they richly deserve. The spirit of pa
triotsm they manifested was not reward
ed by the laurel crown. The welcome
thunder-shouts that greet the conqueror,
from the fresh battle field, was not theirs.
Nor could they think of the glory Or the
fame that impel the hero to the battle.
Their patriotism required momcntous
sacrifice. Grim-visaged war takes from
home all that is dear TO woman. What
does it give in return! A crown of
thorns is often her only recompensc. 1t
is hers to suffer in silence; and when she
gives up husband and brother. father and
friend, to 90 to struggle in the battlefield,
she yields all that makes life pleasant or
desirable. But all this was but little
thought Of in those days. When the
time for action came, woman was ready
with her voice to urge the patriots TO the
demands of duty. With Roman fortitude
did she brave the horrors of the conflict.
Self was sacrificed in the call OF country;
and like the noble danes of Sparta, rather
would she have seen kindred and friends
weltering in blood, than have received
them in disgrace.
Let these things, and such as these, be
thought of by those who would do some
thing to redeem the present generation
from the shame and disgrace of allowing
so noble work to remain unfinished as
the BUNKER HILL MONUMENT.
and they cannot fail to excite them to
greater exertions.