Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-05-08
IaSiss' Department.
Mrs. n. Z. N Editress.



. We need not go back to the ancient days
Of Greece and Rome, to find heroines and
instances OF devotion to country, such as
command the admiration of the world-nor
to the days Of '76, when the women OF the |
Revolution, by hundreds and thousands
urged their husbands, sons, fathers and
brothers to rush to the battle ii I'D in defence
Of their bleeding and oppressed country
No. But around us, every day, in every
community and all over our God-blest sun
ny South, are the women Of this day per-
forming deeds of valor and sacrificing devo.
tior to their country's call, equal in or andeur
and high souled patriotism to the deed per-
formed by the Grec;an mother, which has
embalmed her memory in the hearts of all
lovers Of country, and whose name will be
handed down, in chivalric song and story,
to the latest syllable OF recorded time.
Every day | hear Of instances ard find
them recorded in our exchanges, with which
might I'LL my usual space in these columns.
But in these timesit is more circumscribed
than usual and have only room for a few.
The celebrated act Of Cornelia and her
commission to her son, was not more full
Foic devotion to country, than the fol-
letter written by Mrs. Ann Catron.
Of Washington county, Va, to her son, who
promptly enrolled himself in the Mounted
Rifles:
The time has come. Will you 60 -
Now you can decide. The next dispatch will
be, you must go. Your country calls; will
you respond now With trembling hand
but unfaltering heart I address you this
note, firmly relying upon Him who sways
the destiny Of nations lie Is able to defend
you. With all the timidity dae to my sex,
am ready TO offer you up in defence ofyour
country's rights and honor ami | now offer
you, a beardless boy of II summers, not
with grief, but thanking God that | have a
son to Offer"
Other acts also demonstrate how Woman's
heart throbs in unison with her brave sons
and brothers in the struggles before thcm.-
Hundreds Of thousands Of ~them-those used
10 toll, and those whose fingers know little Of
the use Of the needle, are engaged in making
up articles of apparel and for the camp, so as
TO add as much as possible to their comfort
on the tented field. Every where they are
rushing " forward in gentle and active re-
spouse in n cause which elicits and which en-
lists the warmcst sympathies of their ever
tender and generous hearts. Wherever and
whenever the calls Of humanity cry aloud,
the voice OF patriotism resounds around them,
and the arms Of their protectors are required
10 weld the murderoue weapons in defence
Of their country, their homes, and kind'e &c
near and dear, there and then are the gentlel
sex ut once prepared 10 cheer and animate il
the eventful struggle to lend their softer in
iuences TO the suffering and distressed, an,
to smooth the pillow TN which reposes tn
head Of Ianguish and Of pain. And when tn
direful contest is DER, and their patriotic hus
--alneet them with The tear ofJoy, the smile
welcome, the bosom OF delight, and the EN-
braces Of pure and unsullied affection. Or,
on the battle feldt the hand Of Death asSail, ar
lay the body Of the warrior low, the doleft
news will be met with all the sad emotions
the soul, but yet with spirits stirred with j.
that in their country's cause their noble brett
rem meta glorious death the victory to achiev
rather than yield TO a relentless foe"
The following beautiful and inspiriting a
dress, was delivered at Charlotte, by Mi
Ann 4. Wilson, on presenting a Flag Of ii
Confederate States TO the Cadets of the Mil
tary Institute, on leaving for the Milital
Encampment near this City:
have been commissioned, by the your
ladies Of Charlotte, to present to you til
beautiful ensign, the FLAG OF OUR countr
Here upon the revered soil of Mecklenbu
We commit TO you, not simply the fabric
which this banner is made, not only I
hopes and best wishes Of its donors, but
commit to your keeping, the dearest eau
we have, the cause of JUSTICE AND nUMANI'
For the good of your country, you ha
shown n laudable desire TO leave your ms
tuition Of learning and the many pleas
associations which you have formed he
and GO to a distant part of the State, to
in the defence ofour rights, and whilst ma
q tear Of friendship will flow, and man
bright hope be crushed. yet we bid you q
speed in this great work, and may the 6
Of BATTLES, and the God Of NATIONS, and
Zoo OF JNSTfIE pIONcNb uHu NSltuu OOu.
South has been called upon for her jew.
and like Cornelia, the mother of the Grace
she presents her sons. Already, this t
with us bright galaxy of seven STARS, VIII
lastre las been increased by an EIGHTH, Viry
in, and the reflection of a ninth, North c
DINA, is waving in triumph over Sumter,
tnfu,ling It's pure and unsullied folds to
@-~~s9|SshA-sntire South. In this ca
aud under this nag you1.TTSFSr-d to bal
and, re~collect, that wherever you may
you have our kindest wishes, our sympatI
and our prayers.
Let me say, now, in bidding you adieu,
we know to whom we have conided this
cred trust, and We have the highest assurs
that when the thunder of war shall be h,
no more, and the glad tidings of peace S
spread over our land, we shall welcome
return Of this banner with honor and vict
perched upon its folds, or it will bee
the winding sheet Of the brave hearts
strong arms, which have borne it to the
tie field.
Go forth then yc brave where glory awaits You
The voice OF your country exultant, now greets
The good and the true with favor regard you,
And the smiles Of the fair with blessings reward
SERVICES IN OUR CRURcHEs.-0n SUI
last many Of the officers and troops stati