The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-06-10

your arms under me, comrade, L will soon
be done; our little ones grew up around
us; we had TO work harder for their sakes,
than before; but content lightened all our
'o'l; we would have given our lives for
them. II you have fock a, home com.
rade, you know what that feeling wac
Well, we were happy, never dreaming of
going apart, when suddenly you remem.
Der 1.-THE old flag was assaied and cry
for help, for men 10 defend the life OF the
nation. My grandfather, comrade. was
with Washington at Trenton and York.
town; have at home sword he wore in
those days, and my blood lcapcd at the
call Bat, for day, week, l resisted
my own heart; could not 60, | thought,
and leave my home, my wife, my little
ones, SO dear, SO more than precious.-
But, then, what was home worth, without
flag 10 cover it What would become
Of my dear ones If chaos came?--if we
could net walk the streets, and lie down
at night, with The confidence. the conso
lation that we bad a country. a govern
ment, a law stronger than any mob, great.
er than the maddest fury Of rebellion:-
| could not hold out against these tho'ts
comrade, so at last told Jenny al! tha
was in my heart; and she, God bless her
brave soul said firmly, but with tears
go, John--the Father will care for us
the country needs you, gol' And SO,
comrade-you are listening?--I kissed
my little ones, and, with Jenny's blessing
l left my home--every thing-and now
"a sob fingered round each word-I an
here, dying"
"But." lie added, rallying, "don't tel
them. Sergeant. that l murmured, to
shared 10 die. Oh, no; / cannot but thinl
and sorrow for them, but the old flag i.
worth ten thousand snch poor lives q,
mine; it is glorious 10 die where its stars
are shining yeti" and the voice broke
again. II will be missed in the home fal
away, and the days will be dark because
l am SO long in coming. But, comrade
bid them bear up. tell Jenny 10 teach my
boy never 10 despair of the Republic
never to be false 10 it for one hour; neve
TO strike hands with any man who ha
fakeret now. And, hark. comrade, tel
her to kiss ms darlings night and morn
ing for me; l shall see her. and think ma,
be that my lips are pressing theirs, from
the celestial Lookout my feet are climb
ing now."
A cheer from the bill where The battle
ragged fluttered down the slope to the sol.
dier dying.
"victory," the pale lips cried; The weak
hands clutched for the ground, the feet
we're nervous for a moment ,as il he would
once more stand erect and salute the flag
victorious now; then a deeper shadow
fell on the face; the voice murmured
"comrade. remember!'' the limbs grew
rigid, and John Castor. private, wal
dead.
And the shadow that only the eve o.
faith can penetrate and find clear sky be
yond was lying on the home smong th
Granite Hills.
They buried him on the field, ant
there these spring days, whose warmth
is wooiug all Nature into Blossom anc
fragrance, silt sunshine over his ashes
and the summer, when it comes, will fold
over his stilled heart the same robe Of
emerald and gold that kings lie under
through Gods going years.
There are hearts, indeed that miss him
out their sorrow is not without consola
lion, He fell for his country, fell in thu
place where duty put him; and tha
thought swee.ens the cup, and may help
them a, last TO find the pearl Of perlec
peace at the bottom.
So wars ravages 60 on. So, on score
OF fields, noble lives, full of sublimes
impulses, come 10 a glorious pause, salut
ing the Great Captain with smile a
they pass to the Last Review. We whit
remain at ease in our hcmes, with only
the murmars Of the distant conflict break
ing on our ears, know little of the hero
ism, the sublime martyrdom, the sweet
faith and resignation, which illustrate
every battle- field. and brigeten hospital
and camp all along the path Of strife;
know little what suns Of hope 60 down
forever in the smoke of bloody fields
what ties are rent, never to be knit togeth.
er again; what histories, full OF noble dar
ing, are ended in one flash and cannon
peal.
But should We not remember. and
think OF all this, and SO be more Just thar
we are 10 those who, all unsuspecled in
peaceful times of carrying under theil
homely garbs souls with The robus
strength and faith Of the martyr in them
are giving to-day, on every field, such ex
hibitions Of the depth and affluence o.
our national character and aspirations, al
shall make all coming time bright with
the glory Of this?
HERoIsM,-When ordinary men woult