Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1865-01-27
from the Macos Telegraph

Tests OF PATRIOTISM After all they
have suffered and endured, il seems strange
that we who have never felt the pressore
OF tyranny upon our nee.s, should have
to cite the fostituse and patriotism Of those
States 40 long swayed by aesposic rule, as
EXAMPLE worthier Of imitation than our own.
Nevertheless, it is true that States like
Virginia, which have been continued thea
tres Of war, suffering umtod ruin, and sub
itrted to such tests ss.th noblest natures
alone withstand. are the States in. whieh
the people are to day more tru devoted to
the cause Of Southern Independence than
tho.ato whom. individually. the dcsoistion
Of the enemy il unknown. Long since the
States 10 partial or affection to Van
kee rule, learned to view this struggls in
it's true light. In thousands Of instances,
bereft of their once lardly possessions, there
remains but one purpose to animate them
/ now-an ubdying determination to seper-
y themselves forever FROM the hated DIS
na:,.xs of thar onru beautiful aad prosper
Gus country.
With them everything is subordinate to
the. demands Of patriotism. All thoughts
all passions, all desires give place to love
OF country Freedom is the exposure OF al
hearts, and every prayer bears to Heaven
an invocation in behalf Of she blessed boon
we seek to gain.
The test is a very dear and very severe
one. vet we are disposed TO regard thu
scourge eff the enemy, in measure, 81 es,
| Ehs faFr
he invades and dsstroJs, the purer, more
determined and more united our people be
come. Gise them taste Of his vandalism
with which he visits the country ard all
classes Of it's citizens alike, throw aside all
seifi>h apathy and come t6 resolu'e deter
minasion never TO affiliate with the Yankee
race agaia.
A boundless territory like ours with its
existing population, can never be eouquer-
ed by an Invading foe.
AS he subdues one section another OF ne
eesity becomes free. We have an exem-
pllheation of this fact in the present move-
ment of Sherman order to undertake a
desperate game, in which his army is sub
jec.ed to extreme peril and the accomplish
ment Ct any fixed result a question Of the
greatest uncertainty, he abandons the ter
rifory and the very points which. with ev-
cry needful resource at his command. for
more than twelve months he had sacrifsed
vast means to attain.
Oar county may be overrun and the fair
estsportion laid waste, but we oan never be
conailered while there is left in the people
a determined will and and firm purpose new
er te yield to the enemy. We require a
united people, people who will ilstef' to
no terms of couciliation short Of co.npl te
Independence people who will decry all
prattings about peace until our enemies
shall tender it upon such terms as will be
alike just and honorable
LIT us then keep ever fresh in mind the
example Of Virginia, who has sacrificed all
save her God given heritage Of liberty =
En- the midst of abundant homes, let US en-
ua.e her people anl the people OF other
despoiled States. who. with their property
all gone. still maintain spirit Of the SUBJ
limest patriotism = still unfalteringiy face
the foe. and our sceurged country shall
vel come forth from the trying ordeal, like
Israel Of cid, made purer in her purposes
and elevated TO the highest glory and re-
nown.