The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-07-13
Change.

! True it is that the wind. the clouds. lht
waves, are emblems of Change-Creatior
its empire. The lonely flower, the tower
ing forest. the winding rivulet, the mighty
ocean. the smiling valley, and the lofty
mountain, earth and universe, bow in ODE
dience to thy laws. Upon the flowers thou
writest decay; and all that was once beau
tiful has withered and died. To the for
est. that stretches forth its myriad arms
and strength, thou biddest the whirlwind
hie-and 10 ! earth receives her shrinking
children. PROSTATE upon her breast. Thou
TOUGHEST the mountains side, and the thun
dering avalanche buries the rivulet's foun.
tain head. Thou stirrest earth's central
fires. and as her bosom heaves in convul.
sive throes, old ocean rolls over the tower.
ing mountains peak; where the valley
smiled. the volcano belches forth its lurid
flames. and where far down beneath the
waters. the pale, pearl-lily of the ocean,
once shed her soft light Ger coral beds
the deserts sand whirl the dread sirocco' s
breath.
Change but whispers to the seasons. and
blushing spring, clothed in her emerald
robes Of state-crowned with her flower
gemmed diadem, and waving her sceptre
over earth, bids beauty fling her choicest
treasures forth. Then summer. with her
hot breath, reigns awhile. Then autumn.
as she sits in pleasure on her golden throne
f1ings her rainbow scarf upon the forest
and bids beauty put on her most gorgeous
robes ere she dies. Lastly comes winter
dread sovereign Of an empire Of frost
--and shaking his white locks. chants in
dismal wall. requiem to the departed
seasons and dying year.
1t is the twilight hour. Change waves
her mystic wand-night rushes forth from
her cavern house, and as she weaves her
web of darkness, studs it with her million
gems of light. Again. Change waves her
wand; and over the East is cast silver
light-anon ii seems like molten gold, then
slowly rising from her rosy couch the "God
of Day." in proud majesty. ascends his
throne-the heavens.
Friendship throws her golden chains
around the human heart, and We are bound
together in their sacred bonds. Change
but breathes her blasting breath upon the
sacred links; they are broken asunder.
and the eye that once beat warm towards
US. grows strangely cold. and we are
friends no longer. Affection clasps us in
her arm embrace We yield to love- s
gentle power. The brightest attributes OF
human nature are called forth. Sympathy
meets kindred sympathy. Love reigns
supreme. All is happiness. The past is
forgotten. The future cast no shade for
ward The present yields nought but bliss.
But even here change works her dread
spells. and weep over our blighted hopes
A shrine desecrated, and an altar, the ho-
liest ever raised in earthly devotion. laid
in ruins leaving its temple lone and desc.
late.
Youth, ere manhood has left the traces
of care upon the brow, dreams of fame.
and fancies. as he build gorgeous castles
for the future that they may be real. Hope
bounds high in the young bosom. Ambi-
ton bids him carve his name high upon
the column that gratitude rears to departed
greatness. Nobly resolved to dare and
to do, he bends his energies 10 the task
After long years of toll, the summit is
reached. and fame stands waiting to drop
her wreath upon his brow. But Change.
waiting at the fountain of his life. grasps
the golden bowl and dashes il to earth.--
The spirit takes its flight from the earth
The mortal has become immortal-the
soul has ascended to its God. eternal and
unchanping,