Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1855-12-22
from the American Democrat.
Description of "Sam."

OeSCI1ptlOA VI 0dAAs
The following eloquent and beautiful descrip-
tion of Sam was given by the Rev. Geo. W.
Mitchell, Of Washington city, in an argumen-
tative and most able speech, which he recently
delivered at Rockville, Nd. At point when
the minds of his audience were stirred by the
power of argument and force Of truth, ne spoke
as follows:
EXTRACT.
And now, in this our day Of alarm and
danger, where should we turn our eyes tor
help, but to the patriotic sons OF American soil!
And if we have any respect for things sacred,
any regard for the dearest treasures on earth,
any pride of nationality, any love OF country,
any of the burning faith Of our American faith
ers and would not be despised by the world,
let US have reform-deep, thorough, national
and complete And, thanks be to Him who rules
the destinies of nations, already the howl of
the tempest which threatened to drive from its
mooring the sacred ark of our common safety,
and endanger the gallant ship amid the fury of
contending elements, has greatly subsidized, and
over the platform of principles laid down by the
Americans we see in the distance once more the
star of hope flashing upon our view. And this
across the bright heavens, attracting the gaze
of millions of freemen, is destined, we sincerely
and religiously believe, under the kind provi-
dence of God, to conduct our country through
all her dangers to final deliverance and prosper
GUS repose.
That noble and mysterious parsonage, Sam,
with sound head and pure heart-coming up
from the fires Of the Revolution, shaking his
hoary locks of wisdom, and cleaving to the doc
trine of our fathers-is seated upon his war
horse, and, with sword in hand, is flying over
the plains Of this new world, bearing down all
opposition, with purpose as firm as the eternal
granite that supports the earth, " that Amerl-
cans shall rule America" But who is Sam?
Sam, sir, is the embodiment of liberty. He
has the soul of a lion, and carries the American
Republic in that soul. When he speaks he is
heard, possessing great logic, set on fire by the
elements and torch Of freedom His words
burn the American demagogue, and lash the
black heart of political corruption like the sting
of an adder He has wounded both the old
parties, and left an eating ulcer in the wound
that breeds death; but he has established an
other, NATIONAL an american party, that will
live forever. Ordinarily his mind glides along
in limpid and glowing abundance, throwing up
from the clear sparkling current Of his unadul-
terated patriotism, an image far more lovely
than a sleeping Venus; l mean Sans own
bride, the smiling goddess of American liberty.
Demosthenes, when laundering his patriotism
over the land of his birth, under the encroach-
ments Of q foreign and merciless usurper, made
Philip of Macedon quake to the very centre of
of his iron heart but Sam, with an impetu-
osity yet unequalled, has swept over our land
taken captive the popular mind, and thrilled the
hnafipp haarf aff ha afoSt NOT IN arfh
Now all master minds, you know, are disci-
plned in storms. Sam was born in q revolu-
tionary earthquake, on the fourth day Of July,
1776-born ina ballot -box-swaddled in magma
charta-placed in the cradle of liberty, and
opened his eyes first in Faneuil Hall. But, I'M
like other beings, he soon burst the bands of
infancy, and stepped right out upon this new
world, and, with hands appraised, openly, sacred
ly, and most solemnly swore that he would die
if his countrymen could not live freemen. And,
in this conservation, pledged his life his fortune,
and his sacred honor. And. as the storm
thckeneI and the awful crisis arrived, this
brave youth, rising in the full majesty of his
strength, and Strengthening his manly form,
buckled on his armor, and barred his own bosom
to the fercest blows and scars of thunder.
And rushing on with flushed cheeks. and n
throbbiug heart, he snutfed the hot breath of
battle, and rushed into the deadliest conflict;
and, amid this scene of blood and carnage,
snatched our stripes and stars, and waving
them aloft, raised his clarion voice and led ON
his noble band of patriots from victory to con-
quest and conquest to victory. He was the
great moving spirit of the Revolution-the men
tai gladiator who guided in the councils of our
hoary headed sages on their blood-shed march
to glorious victory. And, with his own hands,
S,,or hal ho,, loI
rock and wild ravine in letters of fire, "resis-
lance to tyrants is obedience to God"
He was the constant and daily companion of
the venerated Washington, born of the same
mother-nursed at the same breast-two beams
from the same sun-two thunderbolts, tscin-boyn,
designed by order of heaven to break the iron
arm Of Britain and set the American continent
free. 1t was here, then, that Sam had his
early education-in open field and hard fight
against tyranny, and amid the clash Of steel and
roar Of cannon, the groans of the dying, and
manged bodies Of the slain, he learned the
price and full value Of liberty. And now find
ing this liberty openly and daringly assaulted
his country put up to the highest bidder, and
the Office Of Chief Magistrate of the nation
dragged into market and there prostituted to
the vilest purposes-his indignation has been
thoroughly aroused, and his soul all on fire for
the rights Of the American people, he has re-
solved upon q reform.
And the pure principles that now fall burning
from his lips and his deep-toned voice make up,
upon the whole, the most overwhelming appeal
that has ever fallen upon the ear Of this nation;
spontaneous and prolifc-clothed with power
strong in reasoning-stern in deduction-grand
in outline-rich and national in tone, it has
gone out like the stirring strains Of music and
aroused the people Of every town, every city,
and every hamlet throughout this widespread
country-it has flashed like lightning to the
very outlines of this great Confederacy, i'm
parting light to the public mind, and warming
the heart of every patriot with new views and
new feelings in reference to the great principles
upon which are based our brightest hopes for
the enduring happiness and prosperity Of our
country.
The Press GANG OF MEMPHIS HAVING COOP
TIaE.-The Memphis Eagle and Enquirer of the
9th ult, says:
On Saturday evening at the White House, was
one of those delightful reunions, which only
come once 'sin many moons" Il was IN soy
ster and Champagne party, given by the prin-
tiers to the editors and proprietors Of the press
Of Memphis. About thirty Of the q press
gang were present, and everything passed of
N the best possible style, and with d general
glow Of kindly feeling, which made us wish for
vS,,ch If a. 80