Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-05-28
"FImes that Try Msn,s Souls.n

No man can escape the necessity which con.
fronts him. Never since the days Of the reyo.
luton has it been more true than now, r"thst
these are the times that try mems souls."-
Each nsn is building up for himselfa character
which will attach to him through life. The true
nature of nou will now display itself through
ell the conventional disguisesi which long
peace and q polished society create The true
aud gallant who are ever modest will seek to
discharge their duty TO Virginia upon the tent
cd A=ld; they will lend their aid wherever it is
wanted; they will give their substance when
ever needed; they will esteem DO service be.
meath them which can promote the honor aud
welfare of their State
The windy talking patriot who in every
contest where place and emolunent are to Be
obtained is always foremost, vii! still he true
to his nature. liz wil! ccndescend to se77e
his country in sny post in which there is the
least pay, the least work and no danger
The scented and curled darlirgs of fortune,
will make safe campaign in the various sine
cures for which their want Of nodestY and
want Of merit equally entitle rheln.
Tne seifsacrihcins, self denying gentleman
and true patriot, with thousand ,irues the capa.
city and worth oi the 'palor knight" will isht
his country's battles where honor calls him.
Il may be that no ranks as private on the rolls
OF his company, but in tbe great muster roll,
when Virginia calls out the aar;e; Of those
wao truly ssr7ed her n her hour Of need,
thee high pri7ates' will be pi<ced where
their merit entities them to be, fer above the
titled patriots who can only condcsceiid to serve
the State when they can do So with profit and
inpunity.
We speak here Of class OF men whose pa
triotisn always goss hand in hand with their
private interests, and whose combined selfish.
ness and impuderce always places them On the
top of the pot.
But in the great fernent Of patriotism, which
is nov going on all over the Commonwealth, It
is natural, that g; rst the refuse matter, being
lightest and worthless, should rise 10 the sur
face But the psople will slim the po:, aud
the really good and true matter will be found
beneath.
The post OF honor is the private station,
when in that station more good can be done
than in any other; therefore let no man think
that his country will hold him in less esteem
because he carries muSket in the raukS, or
that it will hold him 10 greater honor who
wears the epau!es.
Our people will mete ou. 70 each strict
measurs-giving honor aud thanks to hia VINO
does MS duty in whatever station, and mark
Ing with unnssasssblo ccasure him Iho
shrinks from the responsibilities Of the times.
In tia great c:uciols Of popular judgment
will esch maa bs tssted. According to his merit
aud mis- deeds will each rsan be tried, and
neither rank nor station can shield the luke.
warrG and incompetent. The higher the posi-
lion, tue siricter will be the account.
We, Of the South, have surely cause OF ex-
ul,ation in the exhibitions Of dsin,erested pa
srnotisn in these soultrying lime. Persons Of
every shade Of former political opinions, OF
every rank in life, OF every business avocation
are focking to the standard of their country,
zesdy TO discharge their duty, their whole du-'
ty in any and every capacity in which they
may be placed. TheJ ere ready, willing and
anxious to fight f,r the glorious cause Of
Southern Independence, sahsaerer, rhtrercr
and kousesr they can dos 80 effectively. These
constitute the rule vf action in the South;
the comparatively few ,usi Of seven principles
hercpbefors described make up the excep
ton.
General Caha uo PrnuNeE-Tka GLORY OF