Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-11-21
The Genius OF Columbia.
ny DIR. l.. W. BAKER.

by DR. l.. W. bAhkK
Wandering in medtative mood along the soli-
tary banks of n winding stream, in the month of
December, my attention became arrested by the
radiance of the neon and spangled armament,
whose clear and enchanting lights were unobscur-
ed save by u few tleecy fragments that hoated
above the southern horizon paused cast my
ewes downward, aud, for u moment, gazed on the
countless multitude of heavenly bodies reflected
on the surface of the limpid water and again,
looking aoft thanked my God that had been
born under an American sky-n a land OF liber-
ty, not less prolific than Egypts boasted Delta
In n country characterized by the excellence of
its institutions, and the harmony and loyalty of
its people.
Contemplating the majesty of the scenery
around me, In connection with the probable des.
tiny of our political Union found myself invol-
UNFAIRLY exclaimng, II there be spot in the uni
verse where human rights are justly appreciated
and enjoyed II is here II there be place on
earth where the human mind unfettered by tyr
aucal institutions. may rise to the summit OF in
tellcctua grandeur, II is here If there be n
country In which the human heart, in puhlic and
In private, may burst forth in unrestrained ado
ration to the God that made II, II is here -
And proceeding, in u halfaudible soliloquy, to
enumcrate the blessings that result from the
union of the States was suddenly startled by
voice from the south, singing dlscurdantly In the
air, and sounding the tocsin OF rebellion and
war and 10 the dark browed tempest was
gathering. Instead of the aeecy fragments that
lately lowered over the southern border, ,impendcd
dark and stormy cloud, apparently surcharged
with thunder and electric tre-Forhd II. Hea
ven | | exclaimed forbid it, at least, until the
eyes OF the last soldier OF the Revolution shall
have been closed in death Let him not see the
political fabric, for which ho toiled and bled,
crumbllng into ruins
Shocked at the aspirations Of uuholy ambition,
and afflicted by this additional evidence Of OF the
uncertainty of human affairs, continued to gaze,
in silent amazement, NJ the inauspclous signal.
till, hearing rustling noise above me, looked
upward. aud behold an apparition, in human
form, was descending on one OF the teecy rag
ments.-- Confounded, | thought of Hamlers
ghost and sprang forward but instantly check
ed by the consciousness of some benign Influence
| stood, and calmly surveyed the ethereal visl-
tant, as II approached me, with slow ana sol
emn air The countenance was that OF female
marked by detection, but infinitely surpasslng
our boldest conceptions Of tho majesty of woman.
Her costume was that o. the richest satin, exqui
sitely adorned with stars and stripes, In her
left hand she clasped an olive branch, and In her
right perched the American eagle, holding In its
tnlons bow and quiver. | am said she, the
Genius OF Columbia When Washington, sus-
talned by the statesman and the soldier succeed
ed in establishing these United States, as the
land Of the free and the home OF the brave'-a
refuge from persecution and tyranny, II was
hoped they had planted my standard on a per
mHnent Dhbls but hlasl one OF my chlluTeht
reckless OF consequences, threatens to divide, ana
to furnish precedent for future divisions of the
stars aud stripes upon that banner, which has
hitherto waved triumphantly in the field and on
the mast-top.'-F q moment, the crystal tear
drop trickled down her fading cheek but sud
denly rising aloft, AZ II recalled in haste to her
native sphere she exclaimed, Oh that my poo-
pie would remember the salutary motto, UNITED
WE SrANDi DIVIDED WE FALLP
The oInnu from the f,cc of tha heavcns rattrsd
The winds ceased to murmur, the thunders ex
pired
Perfumes, as Of Eden, nowd sweetly along,
Aud voice. MS of angels, eruitngIy sung,
Columbia Columbia to glory arise
The queen of the world aud the child of the skcs,