The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-07-12

| tuGy pdSSeu OH u ilSII SleIudl doi1O
and with the proud revelation of Coz
in his heart that he himself stood tht
crowning glory Of this august creation
Think you, sirs, that one reared amit
scenes like these could stand by the
thunder of Niagara's rushing waters
and see those gigantic cliffs lighted NJ
by that eternal rainbow, and not fee
how little is the richest crown the
proudest monarch wears? Think you
ladies, that one with a soul like thi:
could stand on those dizzy heights
which overlook the proud Atlantic and
hear the billows lash the sounding
shore, and not feel that it is God alone
who rules? While rapt in the deep in.
spiration of the scene, advance and tell
him that far, far across that outstretched
sea, there is a man who proudly claims
the right from Heaven-the right divine
to rule his every act-to fill his Golfers
from His hardy toll. Imagine, if you can,
the indignant, responsive "Nop which
would be hurled at such thought,
and then imagine nation of men like
this join in one loud chorus, "Never
no, neverw This was the question
this was the answer which startled the
world in 1776. The cry was borne upon
every breeze, and every cave re-echoed
back the stern resolve. 1t was waited
across the oceans wave, and reached
the monarch's ears! The sceptre shook
with rage, and the sword of revenge
leaped from its scabbard. You know
the rest and why need we here again
sing the song of our country's glory.
Years have rolled their annual rounds
and gone back to swell the records of the
past. The bones of that mighty host of
heroes now moulder in the soil they
consecrated by their blood. Few, very
few now remain whose eyes beheld
this greatest drama upon the boards of
time. Soon they all shall have passed
away, and the record of this struggle
will live but in the songs and story of
our nation. So far that song has been
all of .triumph-all of hope; and the
minstrels Of our country, now, as they
sing of her glory, have but to pause
at Bunker's Hill, and tune their cords
afresh, and then, with one grand burst
of harmony, conclude with loud hosan-
mas over the grand finale at Yorktown.
And shall we, on fancy's pinions, course
far down the stream of time, and hear
that rich toned Tyre go on "discoursing
sweet music" still; or will it be changed
into mournful dirge2 All, this is the
question which comes home to US all.
Are our children, on each annual return
of this day assembled, perhaps within
these very walls, are they to rejoice as
members of the same proud republic,
"one, indivisible, now and forever" or
shall they sigh over dark spot in our
history as people? Shall this great
confederacy, which in the early morn of
its existence has accomplished so much
with SO brilliant future-so glorious a
task, which none but her own giant arm
can perform--shall all this bright prom
ise fade, and her beautiful and grand
lie a mouldering wreck upon
the shores of time? Believe it not. This
eternal, this disgraceful blazonry will
not be given to the world. Americans
willnever suffer tyrants and foes of lib
erty to point the finger of scorn at the
work Of our Washington. No! If there
is one idea in the vast laboratory of the
human mind which can send its electric
thrill through the nations heart, it is
the whispered dissolution of this mighty
Union.
It is true, the fierce ordeal through |
which we have lately been called to
pass, was enough to make Liberty itself |
turn pale. Butthe issue came none too |
soon for US or for the republic. Now,
when our nation is young, with high |
hopes for the future filling
avery true Americans breast-from |
Maine to the Rio Grande-its heart /
glowing with self-love and admiration
1t feeling its lofty bearing among the
lations of the earth, and at finding
tself the hope of liberty. throughout
he world = to stand on every surge
,eaten rock, and see the crested pillows
lotted by our sails, and our ever glori-
'us stars and stripes floating proudly in
he breeze if all this cannot strangle
hat monster Of discord among us-can-
lot preserve inviolate the purity of that
which is now our last and
My hope of existence itself-then in
eed must bleeding liberty of other
ands shrek out its last piercing agony
nd die. But this cannot be. Again we
ay, believe it not; for now, that the
anger is passed, we can safely and at
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