Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-04-14
'Mli stfllaneOns.
From the Southern Monthly.
An Appeal to the Women of the South

Our DuSDanuS, our SDiS, Oui OiOLbNiSf 0ht
our lovers, are now building a temple, not
of brick and mortar, not of stone and cc-
meut. not with the mallet, the Square, or
the trowel but Of their hearts best blood,
with sword, and musket, and the loud
mouthed cannon, do they build the temple
Of liberty.
This beautiful building, this glorious tenn
pie, which through all coming ages shall
testify there was vet a remnant faithful to
the high and holy trust bequeathed by the
blood tanned heroes of '76-that the beau
teous South, the t~avorite child of nature,
ever decked with her choicest gems and
most gorgeous array aye, the South atone
retained, the pure and u~ntarnished, the
true and eternal principles of liberty; per
feet liberty, that will not be bound by pow
err, nor bow her knee to pomp, nor stretch
out her arms to the enticiug gold, which,
harmless as a naiden's bracelet, with the
lapse of years may prove a stronger shack
ling than the forged iron.
Have we no data by which to estimate
the cost of this building?
A few months ago we dwelt beneath the
temple of liberty, beautiful and firm, to all
outward appearances. Is there a Southern
woman ignorant Of what it cost Few
are the generations, Lhe youngest OF US
count, back to the forefathers who were
builders of that temple and yet when the
r~ecreant hand 0 ftraitor politicians strong
ar than the hand of time to create ire
mediable fssnres in the sacred stones OF
that building, were laid upon it, when 1t
was shaken to the center, whose voice was
loudest to DESTROY it forever!
Better to destroy this beautiful temple,
costly as it is beyond power of computa-
ton, sacred as it is cemcnted with the
blood of our common forefathers far bet
ter to destroy it forever, than let it stand
polluted with the foul breathings Of those
who ignore our constitution and forgetour
God ave, let US, Sampson like, stretch
out our arms to pail it down, falling
crushed with It's ruins, rather than leave 1t
to crumble beneath the destroying touch
of fratricidal hands.
We're not these the sentiments of South
crn women in the beginning of this con-
test 2. Are they not still oar true senti-
mentS?
Southern heroes looked for woman's
bIullC u dDRlOOdllOA NIO WV ShNON ~
the sword, and her gentle voice has nerved
their hearts to more v~alorous deeds than
could the roar Of red artillery or the sound
OF the stirring drum.
Wherever the " stars and bars" float out
on the breeze, the soldier gazes on them
TO think of the fair ones who gave them
and the cheering words they spake. Dc
thinks Of the mother who would keep bacl
the tide Of natures anguish to give
cheerful blessing to her soldier boy 0
the wife, who could hide her hearts over
flowing grief to grid her husbands armo
on of the sister, who could brighten tn,
dark clouds of sorrow for him, and val
the gloom Of her own soul with SUM,
smiles and words Of cheer. Or he think
of a dearer one, who, in the parting hour
drew aside the vail and showed him tina
pure heart that bounded to his love as tn,
waves leap up to greet and reflect tn
sunbeams ; every pulsation, every thought
afording sweet visions, to bless and bright
en- all the weary months of absence.
Memory goes back with painful glad
ness to that sad hoar when, with break
inc hearts, the loved ones,smiled an
blessed him as they babe him GO, and i
the sight Of God and His holy angels h
sworc to fight for them and their right
till the last red drop Of blood was spent
and he went forth to his hardships an
his arduous duties strengthened in the in
ner man.
The men Of the South have placed Il
by their words and actions, on a perfe,
equality with themselves; they recognil
us IA going baud in hand with them
this fearful contest for independence /; the
regard us as assistants in the building
this glorious temple OF liberty. Have v
counted the cost Have we proper
estimated the sacrifices that must be la
on the altar? If we have, let. us n
shrink from the acquisitions. II we ha
not, when the dreadful realities come up,
us, let not our hearts fail nor our voic
grow weak with wailings, but drawing
more than human strength through til
source from whence all our help comet
we will stand up toour pledged word a
we must stifle the sobs of grief, and hu
the wall Of sorrow, and bring our cheri,
ed dead as an holy offering at freedo,
shrine. We must see the blight Of disi
pointment wither the fairest flowers
hope we must see the glowing, beau
fui ~pictures of the future blotted out W
the blood of our best beloved we m
nerve our hearts to sec a! that gave
life its charm, its beauty, and its brigl
ness sbnt out forever bv the cold, daI
cod. We must tread the path, the bloc
10Th onr mothers of the Revolution II