Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-11-08

paclGy, cOmDlneu With the most SpOtleSs
purity of purpose and of character, were
the principal agency in the successful con-
duct of the American Revolution and the
triumphant establishment of the greatest
| Republic of modern times. 1t was her JEFF.
ferson who wrote the Declaration of INDIE
pendence /; her Patrick Henry whose elo-
quent voice thrilled like clarion blast the
bearts of a struggling people; her Madi-
son, who illuminated with his wisdom the
true principles of the American Constitrl-
ton, and her Mashall, who remains 10 this
day the unapproached and unapproachable
glory of American jurisprudence. The
sagacity of her statesmen in the national
councils conducted the United States on to
a career of progress and prosperity unex
ampled in the records of nations and the
splendid genius of her soldiers in the field
crowned with immortal chaplets of military
renown. It was her Winfield Scott, An
drew Jackson, and Zachary Taylor, who,
from the SHOWS of Canada to the tropic
sands of Mexico gave to the world exhibit
tons of the superior martial skill and PROV
ess of our countrymen to foreign enemies,
which 1t had ever seen, and 1t was the con-
summate craftsmanship and all embracing
patriotism of Henry Clay which three times
saved the Union he loved SO we'll from the
perils of division and civil war. These, the
fathers of American greatness, were the
children of the great and glorious mother,
at whose breast they were nursed, on whose
lap they first stood erect, from whose lips
they first learned those lessons of patriot
ism, virtue and valor which made their
country great among the nations. and their
names immortal among men.
Nor has the South contributed less to the
material than to the political and military
1.to , - }
main Of the teeming and productive West
was given by the South to the American
Union. 1t is no figure of speech, but the
literal truth, she has been the Mother not
only of Statesmen, but of States, and those
States the most fertile, and destined to be-
come the most populous and powerful, of
the American commonwealth. The wonder
full variety and extent ofthe peculiar prOduc-
tons of her own soil, of cotton, rice, to-
bacco, and naval stores, have laid the foun-
datlOns of American commerce and con-
trlbuted by far the greater part of the rev.
enues of the nation. Strip from American
progress and wealth the elements which the |
South has contributed, and what would re- |
main ? What would have been the reyolu- |
ton without Washington? What it's growth |
and fortunes but for the gift of the South |
70 the United States Of the richest portions |
If it's territory, and the commercial, manu-
acturing and national wealth, derived from
he products of Southern agricultural in
lustry? Deprived of those accessories to
is greatness, the United States, ifitso much
Is existed, would be a fourth or fifth rate
power, without rank or respect among the
lations.
All this glory of the South is past, and
low does the land sit desOlate that was
,nce so radiant with beneficent power =
stripped of four thousand millions of pro-
'erty, bereaved Of 800. 00Q Of her children,
hut out from the Union which she did SO
much to build up and enrich, she yet main
aims Il cOmpOsure and fortitude more mar
'ellous than her proudest achievements in
he council and the field. Despoiled Of her
earthly possessions, looking back upon the
most dismal blight that ever came upon the
of people, looking forward to
he gathering of sombre clouds that threat
n her utter destruction, with earthquakes
umbling beneatheath her feet, and at her
leart anguish and despair tuggingIlike wild
'easts, no querulous complaint drops from
Ter lips, no frown of indignation or impa-
fence disturbs her brow there is sadness
nd resignation, but not one abiect glance
II her heroic eye.
The Niobe of nations there she stands
'hildless and crOwnless, in her voiceless woe,
N empty urn Within her witherd hands,
whose holy dust was scatter'd long ago!
he ScipiO's tomb contains no ashes now,
he very SepulchreS lie tenantless'
IF their heroic dwelers ; dost thou flow |
I'D Tiber through a marble wilderness
Else with thy yellow waves and mantle her dis
treSS.''