Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1861-06-05
The rreat Rattle Field.

caic that Virginia is to be the scene OF
the first great bloody battle to he fought
in the second war for liberty and lndcrcn'
dcncc. We have announcements OF late
date that already the mastering squad
rons and serricd hosts Of the enemy arc
concentrating at Washington, and ready
to hurl their troops upon Alexandria ant
Arlington Heights. We may expect, a
no distant day, to hear Of great battle
fought in the ncghborhood of Alexandra
or Harpcr's Ferry. The soil Of Virginia
is destined again 10 bc the theatre of tho
crandest scenes of the Revolution.
In ltor giant forests two hundred years
ago, were fought the early battles OF the
settlers of the colony with the powerful In
dian tribes on the banks of the then Pow.
hatan River. Again, years after, in the
first struggle for Independence, it was on
her soil that the British Lion crouched,-
beaten and ashamed, beneath the wings OF
the American Eagle, and in 1872 and 1914,
her bosom was torn again by the iron
heel of the invader, and her towns and
poaeeful villages laid waste with fire and
sword. And not only have her sons fought
her Battle. before the cannon's mouth and
beneath her flag, but in the forum Of pol
iticss in the Halls of Congress and her Leg
islative Assemblies, lave won imperisli-
able laurels. The Declaration of American
Independence was conceived and saw the
light Of day on hey consecratcd grounds
and III 1855 on The 24tl May within her
limits, was fought he great battle in favor
Of civil and religions THIRTY ag2.j.99.st ths
creature'"if ..aorlhcrn fanaticism, the KNOW
Nothing Pnty and no@ in 1861, perhaps
10 tie sarly summer Of tbs evcntf,d year
perhaps wen Willie We are writing these
lines OF while you are reading them, anoth-
er and grander battle than those, Is being
fought with lhs fculast naost loathseme,
most crIoI and MOST insoicut ouemy that
has ever met the ohivalrous heroes of the
| South. 1t was Virginia that they feared,
| and it is her homes and frcsides they would
| desolatc, and her sons and her daughters
| her aged matrons and Growing babes they
would now commit to all the horrors Of wal
! and scrvilc instruction.
But while the enemy is mastering in
fearful array, .Nirgiaiu VIA be ready u
! give them such reception that they vii
bear its memory to their graves. We fea
not for the result; she will be true to he
old renewn, and the glories of her old ag'
will eclipse those of her youth. When tn
greet battle is fought, VIC predict that tb'
enemy will be routed, and Firginia's rep
utation established for another generation
if not for all time to come. Her sonI
J have known no section, no party, no clique
no man, but only the States Rights TRUTH
/ left us by Jefersoa aud Madison,--thos'
psndects of Independence which cannot b
crushed by tyrants CT overwhelmed bI
! fanaticisro and Northern aggression. Nir
ginia viii proudly accept the wager Of bat
TIE I'd decide the issue--it is a boon from
an insolent foe, she could scarcely hav'
hoped fsl. With her holy memories an'
I her historic fame to FIRE the hearts Of be
people, she will be victorious sgain. an'
Texas will echo back the welcome news.
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