Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-10-23
Original 4sprs.
FOR THE SPIRIT or THE AGE.
H~0ME-NATIvE A u

~ &SNSAaA NAAS
word, HoMEl 1t is q magic word, whose
sound falls upon the ear like beautiful strains
of sweet and harmonious music, borne out
upon the calm evening air. II is a place Of
refuge from the hun of labor and strife of
business, where the heart nesties in calm re-
pose, ~undisturbed by the evils of discomfort.
ment, or the anxious and exciting cares of
life, which agitate and affect the surrounding
world. A home made merry by the songs
Of sweet and melodious voices, and embe|-
lished with the beautiful works of some fair
and delicate hand. cannot fail to be an abode
Of pure love and happiness such a home
though it be but an humble cottage in some
lonely and secluded vale, no one can ever for.
get or fail TO love, even were he far distant,
feasting amid wealth and luxury, or engaged
in the stirring excitement of public life.
there would be kindled in his bosom many
familiar and pleasing recollections of days
spent in careless delight, while dwelling
there, and every hill and plain would crowd
upon the threshold of his his memory many
pleasing "reminiscences of the past, which
neither the weighty v;cissitudes of q varied
life nor the effacing touch of time can erase
from his mind.
The gallant mariner as he rocks upon the
angry surges of the storm-tossed sea, and lis.
tens to the hoarse roar Of the dashing waves.
and bowling storm, that stir up the profound
depths of the Gnbounded ocean, looks to the
distant horizon, where, the bending heay.
ems obstruct his vision, and signing, quietly
thinks of his home, beyond the vast expanse
of the foaming waters, of ga friends last
look, q kind p~arents farewell, and some loy'd
ones tear" When the last dim rays of the
setting sun cease to play upon, and to Gid
the distant hall tops; and the silyery moon
and brilliant stars appear in the wide spread
canopy of heaven, to watch over the silent
slumbers of peaceful creation, the blood-stain-
ed soldier, who has borne the rich prizes of
victory and valor from many hard fought ead
CORY battle fields, sits down in silent r,edita-
ton, and looking back down the dark vista
of time, beholds many familiar scenes and
incidents which cluster around the home of
his early days, that fancy delights to cor
template, and upon which the mind loves to
dwell, just as the weary traveller delights, to
linger and rest beneath the cool and refresh.
ing Shades of the verdant and howery oasis.
whose pure and hmpid streams have ouench..
ed his thirst, and. enabled him to pursue his
tircsome journey over the trackless wastes OF
the desert.
The love of home extends beyond our own
immediate dwelling, and grasps within its
bounds our entire native land, and the noble
deeds of gallant heroes, and the suffering
and endurance OF pure statesmen and patrio
OTIS, "for their country's good" have fur
nished a rich and fertile Geld for the dr.-
matist, historian, and poet and It affords
much pleasure to the contemplative mind to
scan the valiant exploits of Leonidas and his
brave compeers, at the straits of Thermopyla..
the bravery of the lamented Kosciusko' who
so nobly commended against, the allied powers
of European despots for the liberty of unfor.
tunate Poland, and the ardent and patriotic
enthusiasm of Washington, who led on the
lovers OF liberty against the marshaled ar
mics of the inevitable foe, caused the proud
flag OF England to lower to American valor.
and raised the temple of freedom upon the
tomb of departed tyranny. Has the love o.
birth place, which binds the Laplander to his
dreary and snow clad home with an almos,
superstitious veneration, been implanted II
the human breast without a good design p
No, 1t gives to man an active desire to SET
his whole country prosperous and happy
and enkindles in his bosom the halloweo
tame of patriotism and loyalty, which uni
ting the hgaments of society, and attracting
individuals to the nation, forms the mighty
elements Of national wealth, prosperity, anc
grandeur.
without the pure influence of patriotism
and the ~exalting sentiments of loyalty to gov
eminent, man would look upon his fellow
men only with low ambition and selfish de.
sires, and consider himself united and boun,
to his country by no strange ties than thos
brought to bear by the strong arm of tn
law. In such a condition the arts and sci.
ences would have remained undeyeloped. civ
i~lization would never have made any pro
gress, and all that tends to exalt, enliehte,
and refine mankind, together with nature an,
natures laws, would have remained enshrou
ded in a pail of universal darkness.
The inhabitants of our land, here in " th
sunny SOUTH" have a home of which the,
may be justly proud, and love with a pure am
holy veneration. Here, the weary genius @
liberty halted in her hurried flight from or
preston in the old world. Here landed tn
oppressed exiles of the mother country. an
set up faiths pure shrine. Here, nature ha
profusely bestowed her best gifts to man. an6
here we were permitted for more than a hal
century to enjoy, undisturbed by the CT
OF harm or injustice, the blood purchased in