The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1865-11-24
BRASS VERSUS BRAIN.

back through the dim records of the past to
the glorious FORCES of the Cyclopes upon
Mount Olympus, or was deduced from the
crucible Of a modern Vulcan, is of no mo-
ment to the point in question, 1t will serve
NO purpose to know that .he. Hephaestia ar.
mour OF Archilles and Arneas, the fatal COL
Tor OF Harmonic, and the brass throats and
brass feet Of the fire breathing beasts of King
Colchis, were made from the vwita5le kind of
brass now in use. i'.S
BRASS is noted for its hard and imperious
composition. Ia heavy machinery, it is US ed
ia contaet with abrasive friction From this
fact, some genius, quick to discern analogies,
in follicking humor of vulgar inclination
applied the term Brass, to the "sis animi
t0rtis,,e which enables man to display to ICON
gregations WIDE" his ignorance and erudi-
ton Not content with this illumination, be,
further subjects to his SATIRE, set-relance,
esteem and defence, he three grand essentials
Of success, and the fulcra upon which the
shafts Of envy, malice and detraction are
lifted up, and the points about which they
hdrmlessly reyolve.' The world has accepted
this version as correct, and Peter Bullion tells.
US, that common consent in the world of let
tcr establishes the validity of law,
We do not advocate q disgusting arroga-
ton Of selfmpprtsnce and superiority, our
point is this: Brass, as Synonymous ertM
proper appreciation Of persona! ability and sig
influence, is absolutely necessary to stern ad-
herenee 10 'haterer is honest in principle, lovely
'nrirtus, manly in character, :Godlikc in good
ness, and 6eas6cem to mankind This kind of
brass vaults over selfish ends and subseryes
the general good. The aid of the -phylan.
thropiSt, he hurlj his schthing philipcs
against the bulwarks Of error; the friend of
the statesman, he unmasks the perilous ten
denotes Of partisan fanaticism the constant
companion of the Gospcl-bcarer, he thunders
the Heavens anathcmas upon the unrepent-
ing, with eloqucnec inspired "by Him who
spake as never man spake before"
Br,in has accomplished wonders. Acquir-
ing a knowledge Of the material Universe
it has reduced the laws of its Government,
to the science Of philosophy, and from the
analogies of created matter, contrived much
for human comfort convenience and enjoy
ment. But, had not brass pinioned its inyen-
tions and discoveries, for fight beyond the
closters Of its prison-study, they would be,
asa lamp in a sepulchrc its light is there,
but reveals nothing save the corruption that
testers around it. ...
The mariner, in awe Of reasonings false,
once crept cautiously along the coast, guided
by some mark upon the land, or at best, some
star in the sky, not venturing upon the tabled
monsters of the mid-ocean, but since the
shape is settled, "tbe vast expansive main
is as tho dry ground" and he steers his le-
viathan on the " shortest practicable route"
The foibes and groundless reasonings of
superstition have suceumbed to the bold in
yestmont of philosophic truth The falling
or disappearing of o star from its ethereal
orbit, the change and eclipse Of planets are
no longer regarded and dreaded, MS pre-
cursers of impending calamities, nor the law
less meteor, coursing with fiery trial amid
tho starry worlds, as frebrand Of Heaven,
20 kindle the flames of universal annihla-
ton. With the light of that philosophy, res
cued by tho bold Gallcos or scientific re-
search, from tho oblivion Of forced abjurN-
ton.
Our visions through "vast immensely pierce,
Soc worlds on worlds, compose ono universe
Observo how systsm into other eeystcmS runs,
What planets circle Other suns,
percs,ying on Ear as disccrns tho ken Of man,
All moving In concert with the Almighty plau
In awe struck praise Of tho Creators wis
dom and omnipotence. His works with all
their apparent dscord and lawlesSness
wo mrrcheu nd, as ono great, harmonious whole,
Whose body nature is, and God tho SOUL
Do We not owe TO brass chiefly, our deliver
ancc from the horrible bondage of former
decisions and bas,i,ss crcdulitc'2
Though Il is not n suggestion of large ox-
pcrisnce to young men just entering tho
threshold Of unaided efforts, we say BraSs
M synonymous with self.rol,nnce and indc-
pendcncc Of though. and action, is the sure
harbinger Of success
This does not imply, q disregard and con-
tempt for the wisdom Of the past but the
perfecting of what II began. But 'purn from
you that ignoble sorvility which accepts the
judgments aud conclusions Of others, With
out considering their tcnoblcness' Fill your
Rrauaries with tho harvest Of your minds
II your aspirations draw you to tho learn
cd professions, choose for your models their
brightest ornaments. Emulate tho virtues
which secured their grcatncSs--emulatc the
sclf.rclianco Of that member Of the healing
craft, who went to the Sick-ch amber disSec-
ton room and The hospital Of the slain In
battle, 90 the belle Of beauty confident in
tho triumph Of her charms, goes to the halls
Of fsstiyity. Emulate the independence Of
Kuor and Latimer, who, amidst the lnquisi-
toriai Terrors, planted tho burners Of the
Christian Religion. Emulate the indepen'
dence OF England, "woudrous Three who
carved the signet Of disgrace upon her royal