The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-10-16
The Test Of Female Heroi.m.

The Test Of Female HerOi.m.
In tie solemn hour Of our country's dan
ger, it is not alone the rugged sex which has
to make sacrifices The citizen soldier shows
bis devotion to his country by taking up
arms for its defence, but the women have a
high and noble duty to perform in stimula-
ting us aud sanctifying us, as it were, for
the performance of that duty. The test of
patriotism, which sewers husband from wife
and son from mother, is, We know, a severe
one !; but where is the woman, who. at a
time when the liberty which has protected
her person from every violence, are alike
threatened. by worse than foreign enemy
thund ring at the very portals of or homes,
would hesitate to bid husband or father, sen
or brother, 20 forth to battle with her b'cs.
sing and armed Tor the contest with her an.
proving and encouraging smile? To The
young wife, we would say. better far is
wild whood Of honor ;han a life oflong union
with a craven who would not defend his
home glorious the solemn gab which de
notes your bereavement, when you can pay
visits to the grave of your dead warrior hus-
band, and over IT mingle your tears in com.
mon with those Of the mourning friends Of
our country. Now, women Of America. is
the time for lofty patriotism and generous
self abneg ,tion ; now is the trying season
for you to exibit that sublime for.itude for
which you have been distinguished in all the
past. Give up your jewels to yonr country,
and give them with the holy balm of your
blessing.
Wives and mothers of Kentucky, violence
is threatening you rapne hovers darkling
in the distance. and all the horrors of civil
war are impending over you. To save your
lives, and dearer far, your honors, it IL nee
essary that your husbands and SINS should
arm and go out {, meet the foe Cheer them
in this trying hour let no unnecessary pangs
be added to the partings which the stern re-
alities of the times demand. Garland your
loved ones with your farewell kisses, throw
the shield Of your prayer around them
nerve their arms when they give you their
last embrace by saying to them, "Go where
duty calls and God be with you. and trust to
the Almighty Ruler of the universe to restore
them safely when white robed peace again
spreads her angel wings over the land
As the Knight Of old received his spurs
from his lady love, and wore her colors in
his helm, swearing to carry them in the
thickest of the foe, SO in these happier days
of Christian'zing influences, let the mothers
blessing be invoked upon his head and TIE
wifs's animating kiss nerve his heart 70,
deeds of nohlest daring, aud, by Gods bles-
sing, conquer he must, for our cause it is
just" In the name of Heaven let no wife's
fears unnerve the soldiers arm and no moth
er's alarm spread panic to the bosom Of her
warrior boy. Bid them 90 and God speed
Bid them remember their homes, and strike
the foe boldly but IN marcifully in the remem.
brancc that they too have perhaps loved
ones in some distant place, awaiting their
return. Let them fight this war as Christ
ian soldiers. "still as the breeze" when mcr-
cy pleads. but dreadful as the storm when
their avengin. blows fall like hail upon the
foe. Mothers and wives, in tie holy sanct-
ity of your homes, let the prayers ascend to
the throne above for the protection of your
loved ones but when the hour of parting
comes, remember the noble woman who ran
her arm within the bolt of door to serve as
a bar to aid the escape Of her honored lord.
and though the pressure be hard and agoni-
zing, bear it in the spirit of martyrs, and, if
q tear should dim the eye, let it be llumined
by the smile of hope Louisville Journal