The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-07-30


consciously learning themselves, and in
stilling into those children, some of the
most glorious lessons in human life evel
known in that, or indeed auy other
planet. Among others they learned to
associate on equal terms, to rely each
on himself, to unite for mutual rrotec-
tion, and above all, to be in all thinga
constant and true; SO that when, in the
course of time, they became the great
nation of whom we have spoken, they
were fully imbued with thoso principles,
and refused to have king. like the other
inhabitants of their planet, and chose
every few years one of their own body
to see that their laws was carried out.
There was one young man among them
who early distinguished himself among
all his fellows by being stronger, more
solfreliant, more constant and truer
than them all. Ho was soon. highly
honored by those he excelled, fer they
we're noble ard generous. Hewas made
a spokesman for his neighbOrho0d in the
public assombly-then sort of repre-
sentative for division of the nation
called State, in which he lived and
then again for many years he was the
Ambassador OF the whole ration abroad
and earned as high renown there as he
already enjoyed at home.
During all this time he never took II
partner to his home, according to the
custom Of his fellows. His early friends
married and had children, and died, and
those children married and did likewise !;
yet he remained solitary and alone. All
wondered at it. When he was at last
proposed by large number Of his fel-
low citizens for their chief ruler, he had
beceme gray in the service of his coun-
try and was still bachelor. Those
who were opposed to him talked of his
as an evidence of his coldness of heart,
and appealed to the women to use their
efforts against him. Only Q few of his
friends knew the truth, and felt how
koenly these idle reproaches out him to
the heart.
Many years before that time, when he
was strong and hopeful youth, but as
yet little known outside of his own i'm
mediate circle, he was already promised
in marriage to the girl with whom his
heart had been, since early childhood
He and she had talked and played to-
gether as children, and loved each other
as bog and girl, until they had become
so inseparably intertwined in each others
visions of l:fe, that no picture Of fancied
happiness was ever formed By either, in
dreams by day or night, which did not
include the other as its chief joy
Neither ever passed moment, waking
or sleeping, when the other was not pres
ent in hope or reality. IF he ever
dreamed for moment of the fame ht
was afterwards TO achieve, we may b,
sure she was there to turn his pride intc
exquisite happiness.
tn the midst of all this, about th,
time ho was first chosen by his comrades
to be honored and trusted, the SUI of hi
inner life suddenly set to rise no more
The lady of his love sickened and died
That night which has no morrow fell OF
his inner life. Thenceforth there wal
no more hope of love for him. he had
played high for happiness and lost. Th'
game was up.
A weak man would have sunk dowl
ruined and despairing. A heartless maj
would have flled her place with anothe
idol. He was neither weak nor heart
less. He had been taught in the schoo
of the founders of the great nation, ant
was at once strong and true. He went
on in his course, and served his country
we'll and honorably. Laurels gathered
round his brow, and every year adde(
to his fame. But his dreams of love
were buried in the grave of the choser
of his heart; and therefore he rcmaineC
forever a bachelor.
Nothing remains to be told, except the
sequel Of the story. It is almost in
credible in these days of political blood
hounds, but not the less true. AS asool
as the thougbtless Datbbls=s- who had
unwi!tingly, in idle gossip, said things
that would cruelty and unjustly stall
him to the heart, if he should perohancs
hear them, heard the story of his life
they stopped short in their folly and saic
no more. One, in particular, a-silly
and shallow fellow living in city neal
the mouth of the principal river of the
country, took back his former babble
and publicly declared that although h,
disliked the great man for ruler, hC
would never willingly wound so noble
and constant heart.
HOynP IN WHOM HONOR TSDUE.