The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1865-02-18
DESPOND NOT.

As we are entering upon another year of a
struggle which history cannot fail to characterize
as one of sad subiimity, the hearts of the people
are wrung with tidings of disaster to our arms.
Movements which were SO fondly believed to
carry with them all the assurances of success,
have failed of fortunate result. The meagre
details which we have received concerning the
army of Tennessee are sufficient to tell us that
its veteran battalions have been borne backwards
in an unequal contest. and forced to relinquish
the fields which their valor had so nearly won.
The gates of another Southern city have OPEN
ed at the summons of detested enemy, and the
cup of humiliation is commended to the lips of
her proud and sensitive citizens. While there are
none OF us who. at such time, can dispense
with a most natural regret, there are not wanting
those who, looking uncheered to dismal future,
would have MS believe that at last, the flood gates
Of misfortune are opened wide, and that the gen.
erous blood which has SO often sprnl1led the
dust Of freedoms glorious battle has indeed been
shed in vain. The ftful flame which has ever
struggled but feebly in such breasts has at length
died away into the spirits darkness and the
heaven-descended trust which animates the hearts
of SO many thousands of their countrymen
speaks no word of cheer to these sad-ysaged
children of despondency.
But we know and feel that throughout this
suffering land. the eyes of an unconquered peo-
pie are confidently turned to the banner with its
cross Of stars and its field of blood, and a smile
of defiant pride follows the patriot gaze.
There are few who can look upon that flag
without remembering that their own nearest and
dearest have pressed onward under its f1uttering
folds, through the smoke and roar of war, to a
sepnlcre of turf and wreath of Liberty's i'm
nsorteiles. But their falling tears serve not to
dim the lustrous light of eyes whose prophetic
vision craps already the rich fruition Of patient
suffering, and scans future radiant with the
triumph Of truth and right.
4 To such as these, speak not of athe stern logic
OF defeat." They cannot reason to result which
does not leave them free. That were wrong to
the constancy and the devoted courage of the
soldiers Of the Confederacy, who have never
tailed 70 rebuke the wavering faith of those who
would doubt the frmness of their souls and the
omniPotence OF their free arms striking for God
aud home, and country
When will they falter or shrink Not while
leader is left to point the way to battle-ine of
foemen
sThey true to the last Of their blood and their
breath.
And like reapers descend to the harvest Of DEATH
Let us not then, trammel their energies with
vain forebodings. Rather let them feel that they
are battling for those who can abide the darkest
hour, and trust them to the end When their
strength is taxed beyond the limit which even
those heroes OF suffering can endure those who
are now lett behind will fly to their Sides In
that hour, the enfranchised souls of our martyr
dead will march with us and join ii, freedoms
last rallying cry: --
Shoulder to shoulder son and sire,
All-call all to the feast Of FIRE;
Mother and maiden, child and slave,
A common, triumph, Or single grave.
Natchitoches Union.