Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-05-04
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From the Monthly Religious .netg@7'''e'
VICTOR HARRISON
a DREAM OF GLORY.

SON. without an uncommon proportion OF BRAINS
he valued himself chiefly on that account. II
was his good heart and frank disposition how
ever. that chiefly recommended him to other
people
What a superb officer should make, said
he, one day, with ingenious vanity, as he advan-
ced and reccded before mirror, which he had
inclined at such an angle as to reflect his whole
figure. Two pretty girls sat laughing together
at his pcacock-like standardization,
is not this Just the shoulder for an epaulette!
and fine hollow back, is it nol And without
vanity, may say, such chest as mine needs no
padding to make it noble enough for Hercules
or Jupiter. Quite thrown away in count
ing rom, or even in parIor-Ill volunteer,
dplfare"
Not with my consent, said his yet beautiful
mother, not with my consent, Victor
Can't spare YOU said his pale and care-worn
father 4 can't do without you
You'll be killed you'll never come back
said his pct sister.
And if you do, I'll have nothing to say to you, ,
said his betrothed HELEN.
Mother, Pm too tall to be tied by your apron
string. Father, Pm twenty-one and my own
master. Sister, Pm no girl to be afraid Hell
leu, YOU will sing, and it's oh in my heart that
wish him safe at home.'
'NotI, Mr.. Volunteer
oh, you cannot be in earnest! Ny only
brother
UngrateiGl, is it thus you use your lreedom?'
Far from my apron string, my voice will Still
sound in your ears, my own boy said the harp
like tones which had always reached his heart,
from his infancy, and lued all its stormy pass
ions to sleep.
Let me pause moment at the brow of the
hill give nue. time to take one more look
How lovely, how peaceful the scene. And am
indeed Going to carry the sword and the brand
to peaceful homes, and full Of loving hearts, like
them I left behind Home mother-far =
well
Victory or death We 60 forth to conquest
and glory We shall win never dying fame, and
our country's gratitude Three hundred brave
hearts, bounding with young Blood wen pour i
out like water at our country's call. If we fall
a nation shall weep for us. If we win, the
whole world shall hear of our proves; our names
shall 90 down to future ages We will extenC
the area Of freedom. Our enemies shall bles
US hereafter IEura. On-on-let us not be
we may not share. Our horses are prancing as
if they shared our spirit.
Are you soldiers? Are you even men, anc
can YOU 50 despise each otherl Can vice stall
shamelessly and unrebuked in open dayl Can |
even |, like others, learn to view these thing
with NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. abhorrencel Was il
for such society as this that became volun
IT, 20 tbi,ly of
minded sister, my high-spirited betrothed. | an
shocked, and my very soul disguised by what
daily see and hear Custom must blunt my sens
of it; heaven graut it may not do more NJ.
prayers seem polluted by the air breathe, Ye
will | not be degraded and viIe | will keep my
self from evil There have been and are high
souled men who have been soldiers, though the
are strangely rare among u.s. Mother, hea
thee; am still worthy Of thee, worthy to b.
called thy son, Be with me- even in camp
y
Oh, this intolerable sun. This raging thirst
There is nothing before us, my good steed, bu
the burning waste covered with prckly cactus
for many weary mile Water, water; would
not exchange a wear of my life for the sight of
fountainl | would, we're it but fol the sake O
those who are suffering more than |. Poor feI
lows, how they pant and stagger. One has drop
ped; must we leave him by the roadside, to tn
mercy Of the Camanches! Heaven forbid; Will
/ have power TO walk Place him on my saddle
| will support him. Courage The longest da
must have an end.
have been in the presence of the enemy
have done my part in battle, We have bee
victorious. The newspapers, from one end c
the Union to the other, will be full of Boosting
We have counted our dead, and gathered up gu
wounded. And shall we exut because they ar
few, and the enemy's loss so greatl Let us hid
fact which makes our victory butchery,
massacre There are no laures to be won j
Mexico. Not a day will stay when my time
up My visions of glory are gone. see onl
bloody toll which even my Generals CROUCH an
ready" nature revolts at; an endless struggle
trained valor and well founded hatred, and j
disciplined patriotism. Were | a Mexican,
could fight heartily; my noblest instincts woul
be reused to defend hearth and home, frienC
and all | hold dear | would die ere | won
yield an inch of my native soil to be peopled
tyrants and slaves. Well may their watcher
be, God and my country"
And feeling thus, can do my duty as a SC
dierl | cannot withdraw; | should be braudt
with infamy as a coward | am but an instr
ment, weapon. am not free agent. MI
this plea serve me when God shall Judge me f
the deeds of this day. Not mine be.the bIam
not on mY head be the blood of this Smutitud
-. aimed at no individual; I have. done no mu
ny ueT h. One poor fellow I'D sd ride dow
broa.t "NS pohtIS rusty hlllnd rhpss at n
horse pIaa,. he glance behind, as n
asFa "a hia hoof iRonhis heaving boso
aeset can't forget that upturned fac
SaaDt he to my dying hour, whether
= d Old age, or lie bleeding on this blood soa
Cd ground tomorrow. Surely it was an act
~ selfdefence. A man has right to defend
own life; at least, nature seems to say so muC
No. mother, l cannot listen to you on Il
point will not believe. Would even y
have had me take the fellows frel Among I
hideous CORY forms have seen writing in de-
on this accused field, are there not many whC
wounds must have been the consequence Of
undstinguishing shot, and why should think
much Of onel Yet wish had not this rene
berance, this feeling that it was personal C,
flict; anger, hot blood; not simple solderly du
not mechanical, irresponsible action; work dc