Smyrna times., 1861-08-08
our Past, Present and Future.

Our Past, Present and Future.
On the i3th OF April, the electric wires
,hrUugheut The land vibrated with tidings more
.,irriug than they had even borne before, nd sud
S,nly the heart of our hty nation stood still.
The Flag of our country was attacked by sac
,sigious hands. For the first time it was com.
u.iIed TO the ignomiRy Of surrender. 1t was
no party feeling. no personal animosity, no
suuerstitious fana tacism that woke the horror
and Indignation which followed the first SPELL
b0uua amazement. The Stars aad Stripes,
renowned in song aud story, revered alike by |
vOu,h aud age, were something more than
seats plsyIhlng-than an orators point d'Gp-
sui. They were symbols of the birth and bap- i
usm 10 blood of the nobest nation the sun has
ever SHINE upon; of battles fought for mighty |
principles, by men with the giant heart of
Swedish Vikingo; of victories won through |
tell and peril, without hope of private emolu
nent or reward; Of long years of poverty and
prvasiou, crowned at last by honor and inde-
psndsuee, AID the established right 10 hold this
fair heritage as an asylum for the oPpre ssed.
a home for the free, q field for the trial of the |
hitherto unsuccessful experiment OF seli-goV.
srnmenL
The eyes of the world were upon US. watch.
Ing the result. History waited, pen in hand,
10 tell the story. MOnsrchs and statesmen
shook their heads incredulously, and jesting
philosophers derided the assumptions of ihe
usw Republic. And how has our experiment
sueeeeded Our prestige abroad, our progress
al home, 10 commerce. in art, 10 science, In
literature, in political economy, in all things
that tend to adorn and digoity society, to elc-
vats il above the mere external, and to call out
the hidden and higher elements of mind, utter
reply of which We may justly be proud
And this is the story written in every stripe,
shining in every star oil the dear old Flag; a
past serene in wisdom; present crowned with
honor; future radiant in promise. And there
fore when impious hands were laid upon the
symbol Of our dearest memories and hopes,
the people of nineteen States rushed as one
mah 10 the defence.
Faster Than the red cross of Rhoderiek Dhu
sped from Highland hill and Highland valley,
mere 6ereely than the beacon fires of Eng lands q
coast flashed resistance to the Spanish Arms.
ds, were enkinded the sacred fires of patriot.
ian, rousing the apathetic. encouraging the
timorOus and inspiring the brave to aVenge
the insult and redress the wrong. With one
heart and one voice they rose as did the Greeks
20 rePel the Persian invasion, calm, resolute,
and terrible in numbers as in purpose. Men
who never agreed before. agreed now. All diff
fsrsnces were abolished, all party questions
slsnced, all sOrdid interests laid aside, and the
lssd seemed filled with new and higher life,
The die is cast. The first great battle o
the great Rebellion has been fought, and agar
has the pulse of the people sood still to watcf
the issue. Groans from the dying, and sigh
for the dead still fill the air; all the deepe
aud more bitter that the combatants were bro
thsrs. Graded beneath the same flag, and pro
tscIed all their lives by its kindly folds NJ
hsver blood ever streamed down Grecian gorge
Ss Alpine pass than that which has just beer
90 freely poured out on Virginia's soil. in be-
half Of that Union which Virginia was earIes
Rnd ptoudest 10 enter.
The boom Of cannon and the beat of drum,
The tread Of armies ihickening as they eons,
still reverberats upon our ears. Every house
hold in the length and breadth Of tie Ian
IFsnbles with apprehension for some friend
some brother theEs," and millions of heart
breathe hourly prayers for the loved imperi
led.
But the great principles which created an
s~syed the tempest at the birth of our natio
now again command the elements, and wi
never whisper peace. be still," until the pt
fihsanOn Is thoroughly accomplished. Let
net @eutn over delay and transient reverse
Let US, like our fathers of old, fear no sacriac
Shrink from no peril or pSivation; for we al
As"ng not for The pressnt only, bat for futui
which We cannot measure, and can scarce co,
eeiVe. The civilized world regards us wi,
vide open eyes. History warns Us with U
ifted snser. Our children will bless us
curse us according 10 our deeds in this mo
responsible hour. Let us not fal,er. nor fe,
nor ismPorizs. Onward. Onward, Tru
10 mighty and shalt prevail. The bss, Of Go
ssnments shall be preserved. the Flag of 4,
Free shall be held sacred, and with unit
hearts and bands and hopes we will labor
this most glorious csuse.-BaIt. Clipper.
Judge Cairoa. OF the Supreme Court
returned to his home. at Nashville. He is
ohiy member Of the court from the secedi