Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-07-09
"Reminiscences.


past. There we find history, and it is full
of lessons. We have history. not ancient
indeed, but more interesting than mere
antiquity. And il belongs to the wholt
country Therefore it is to us bond oi
union. 1t is somewhat different from the
commercial ligament, which may be strong
er, but the historical bond is nobler. New
er did the difference between a narrow
minded demagogue, and a large hearted
statesman. appear more striking, than in
the instance Of two Massachusetts Sena-
tors, Webster and Sumner 1t is known
that while Sumner raved of Bunker Hill
and other fields in the most sophomorical
manner, all to glorify the Yankees, who did
not need his gloriflcalion. Webster in his
great speech, with a simplicity infinitely
above the arts of fulsome rhetoric, while
vindicating the North, paid full justice to
the South, which Sumner denied, adding
ridicule TO falsehood Webster drew a
splendid picture of the united array Of the
North and South, shoulder TO shoulder, -
allowing to all merited commendation.-
Sumner could not expand his mind, scared
and wited by the fires of Abolitionism, to
the comprehension of Southern valor, or
Southern craftsmanship. We denounce
this iliberality. 1t is one Of the worst and
most menacing features of the times. In
stead of this. we ought to be continually
exchanging pleasant recollections with the
South. Sumner and his co-calumniators
ought to dispose of the infamy of Church,
Tryon, and Arnold, before they deal out
their slapders against the South, that pro-
duced no traitors.
The South had brilliant list both Of
warriors and statesmen. Let US glance at
it. First, there was Gates, the conqueror
at Saratoga, an adopted son of Virginia.
There was Col. Henry Lee, usually called
Eight horse Harry" because he command
ed a partisan corps of gallant and thor
ough-bred Virginia horsemen, that not on
ly exhibited kind Of ubiquity in annoy
ing :he enemy on his marches. and sur
prising him in his encampments, but CON
Quoted with distinguished bravery and eff
ficiency in drawn battles. Henry Lee, ac-
cording to the somewhat flnciful state
mens Of Irving, was the son Of the Glow
land beauty" who was Washington's first
love, bat married Mr.. Lee Brighter still
is the name Of Gen. Daniel Morgan, the
hardy veteran, who could do and dare any
thing in war: a man of few words, but of
many and efficient deeds: the most useful
officer in practice that served under Wash
ington; always ardent, but ever cautious;
certain of victory in every fight, because
exerting every nerve to obtain it; approach
ed willie prisoner. by splendid offer in
the British service, but spurning it with
flashing indignation. He wss as skiliful
in retreat before superior force, as he was
mighty in contending with an equal ioe.-
His dust is mingled with the soil
of Virginia among that of many of his
brave rlnemen, who never knew defeat, or
if they did, made defeat as good as a vic
tory.
Col Dayie of North Carolina, was the
g.
full in the Southern compalgn. Marion and
Sumpter were the pride of South Carolina,
ever active, vigilant, self denying, and sue
cessful, alarming and distraciing the enc
my at unexpected points, and at unseason-
of victory, as at Yorktown and Saratoga,
but beating the foe in practical detail, con
stantly improving the aspect of affairs, and
frequently creating hope in the very bos-
ON of despair Nor should we forget the
gallant William Washington, of the drag
oons, an offshoot of the same stock with
his illustrious namesake, of impetuous val
or in frequent actions, in which he delis sht-
ed, while in maneuvering TO avoid supe-
rior force, he was of immense service to
Greene. SO also was Col. Otho II. Will
liams of Maryland, who threw himself be-
tween Cornwallis and Greene, and by SIN
gular vigil;nce and skill, saved the army
from being overwhelmed.
How often was the dreaded crisis of des-
truclien averted by the cautious, Fabian
policy Of such men as Washington and
Greene. 1t was not by great and dreadful
single battles, like those of Pavia and Wa
erloo, that the empire of liberty on this {
Western Continent was decided, but by a {
series Of mastery measures of defense,
moral and physical, all converging to one t
sure result. In Europe, the conquest of a S
.itv is the ruin Of the State TO which it be- l
ongs. But though the British held our t
our metropolitan cities, Boston, New York /
Db;ladelphia and Charleston, it was Of little n