Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-01-03
For the Democrat.
Diamonds by the Wayside.

When see a great and glorious nation
enjoying all the blessings of Civil, Political,
and Religious Liberty, and commanding res
pect on sea and land; protecting her citi-
zens IN every cline and country eDcour-
aging literature, science ano art; prosperous
in her commercial relations; at peace with
all the wo.ld abounding in plenty, and fur
nishing food to the starving citizens of other
nations, I think she is diamond.
When l see State brooding disunion, and
endeavoring to cut herself loose from such
government, by overturning the Institutions
for which their fathers died. it seems to me
as though the Arch Fiend who once sought
to dethroDe the Omnipotent, had become in
carnate, and in revenge for his fall. sought
to bring confusion and destruction on the
country and government most highly favored
and beloved of the Almighty, and | think she
is leather diamond.
When l see man regardless of summers
heat or winters frosts; without suf6cien t
food or clothing, often barefoot destitute of
arms and ammunition, suffering, fighting.
bleeding, dying for his country's freedom, l
say what a beautiful diamond.
When bear a man swear to support the
Constitution of his country, and see him re-
ceive a sacred trust from her, if he desert
that trust and betray that Constitution by
leaguing with disunionists, say what an in.
famous leather diamond.
When l see a man exalted to high posi-
ton by the advice and assistance of friends,
and find that he remembers those friends af-
ter they cease to be of use to him, and en-
deavors to return their kindness, say what
rare diamond.
When see one raised to position and pow
er who torgets or treats with contempt old
friends and their services, and seeks only to
reward the political mountebank aud charl-
atan, say what miserable leather diamond.
When I see an Editor toiling from year to
year for the purpose of establishing some
great political truth calculated to benefit his
fellow men through all time as well as ad-
ding to the permanent glory of his country
working often in poverty, discouraged by
friends, misrepresented by enemies; almost
dispairing of success yet never tagging or
yielding for a moment until success crowns
his labors or death ends the struggle, l say
what magnificent diamond.
When | see man riding into power as
the representative of some grand political
idea that may have cost an Editor years of
unwearied, unpaid unrewarded, Lnnoticed
labor to establish in the public mind, and
see him give the cold shoulder to the man
who furnished the idea that made him fa-
nous, say what p,tifal leather diamond.
When / see Statesman forgetting party
animosity and local prejudice and laboring
for the welfare of his whole nation, l say
there is pure diamond.
When / see the patriot and Statesman re-
firing to his closet and there pleading with
the Chr: :stians' God for the welfare, perpetu-
ity and peace of these United States, | feel
that there Is no danger of theiI dissolution,
and | call him star diamond.
When the cry of secession is raised and
the country is alarmed when weak knees
begin to ,tremble, and the common talk is of
danger, say don't be alarmed it is but a
leather diamond.
When | see man elected to an Office of
trust and Importance, who faithfully dischar-
ges all the duties of his office to the credit
and advantage of those who elected him,
say take care Of that man, he is real did,
mOnd.
When I see faithful and efficient officer
allowed to retire at the expiration of his
term. and his place supplied by one not only
lacking his experience but his qualifications
also, have 30 say we have exchanged for a
leather diamond.
When | see political party selecting its
ofice-holders from the poor but honest men
of its party, feel that the Iarty is honest
and will be permanent, and | call it dia-
mond of the first aoater.
When see party hunting up the rich
and aristoeratic to Fill their ufhces, think of
corruption aud oppression, and look for its
speedy overthrow. 1t is manifestIy o rotten
leather diamond
When see man subscribe for county
paper and promptly pay the printer for it,
think he is a sound diamond.
But when l see man take his county pa
per and neglect or refuse to pay for it, leav-
ing the printer to struggle with all the diff
eulties and annoyance of debt, and yet ex-
pecting his paper to be furnished regularly
and promptly, fear that he is only a leather
diamond.
GUESSWELL.