Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-10-11
The Test of Female Heroism.
From the Louisville Journal. I

In the solemn hour of our country's dan.
ger, it is not alone the rugged sex which
has to make sacrifices. The citizen soldier
shows his devotion to his country by tuking
up arms fer its defence. but the women have
a high and noble duty to perform in stimula.
ting US and sanctifying us, as It were, for the
performance of that duty. The test Of pat.
riotism, which sewers husband from wife
and son from mother, is, we know, severe
one; but where is the woman, who, Mt
time when the liberty which has elevated
her to the highest place Of respect, ard tho
bulwark Of the law which has protected her
person from every violence, are alike threat
cned, by worse than foreign enemy thun-
dering at the very portals Of our h6mes.
would hesitate to bid husband or father, son
or brother, 60 forth to battle with her bless
ing and armed for the contest with her ap-
proving and encouraging smile To lie
young wife, we would say, better far is
widowhood Of honor than a life Of long un-
ion with craven who would not defend his
home; glorious the solemn garb which de-
notes your bereavement, when you can pay
visits to the grave Of your dead warrior hus-
band, and over it mngle your tears in COM
mon with the mourning friends of our coun.
try. Now, women of America, is the time
for lofty patriotism and generous self. .abnc-
CATION now is the trying season for you to
exhibit that sublime fortitude for which you
have been distinguished in all the past GivS
up your jewels to your country, and give
them with the holy balm Of your blessing. a
Wives and mothers Of Kentucky, yiolcncd
is threatening you; rapne hoycrs darkling
in the distance, and all the horrors of civil
war are impending over you TO save your
lives, and dearer far, your honors, 1t is nec-
essary that your husbands and sons should
arm and go out and meet the foe. Cheer
them in this trying hour; let no unnecessary
pangs be added to the partings which the
stern realities of the times demand. Garland
your loved ones with your last kisses, throw
the shield of your prayer ar0ind them; nerve
their arms when they give You their last en-
brace by saying to them, Go where duty
calls and God be with you'' and trust to the
Almighty Ruer of the Universe to restore
them safely when white robcd peace again
spreads her angel wings over the land. {, y
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 thick
est of the, foe, SO in these happier days Of
Christiani2inG influences, let the mothers
blessing be invoked upon his head and the
wife's animating kiss nerve his heart for
deeds of noblcst daring, and, by Gods bless
ing, conquer he must, for our cause is just"
In the name of Heaven let no wifc's fears un-
nerve the soldiers ARA and no mothers
alarm spread panic to the bosom Of her war
rior boy. Bid them go and God speed Bid
them remember their homes, and strike tho
foe boldly but mercifully in The remembrance
that they too have perhaps Aovcd ones in
some distant place, awaiting their return.-
Let them fight this war as Christian soldiers,
"still as the breeze" when mercy pleads, but
dreadful as the storm" when their aveng.
ing blows fall like hail upon the foe Moth
crs and wives, in the holy sanctity Of your
homes, let the prayers ascend to the throne
above for the protection of your loved ones,
but when the parting comes, remember tho
noble woman who ran her arm within tho
bolt of door to serve as bar to aid the cs.
cape Of her honored lord, and though tho
pressure be hard and agonizing, bear it in tho
spirit Of martyrs, and, if a tear should, dim
the eye, let it be ilumined by tho smile Of
hope