The southerner., 1866-08-25
For the Sousherner.
REBELS Roosr, |
Aug 2ISt lS66

% cneWluS Tue cuO OI sweet and bitter
fancy" many are the reeollections of
the past, mingled with thoughts of the
present and speculations in regard to
the future, which luom up before me.
Ghost-like pass through the realm of
memory and remembrances of the past
few years, of the years when the dia-
pason of the cannonade was heard in
the land, when the mother tearfully
bending over her hands busily plying
the needle, thought of her absent soldier
boy, when the wife, the sister, the mai
oen scanned with tremulous hand and
quickened pulsatiou tn, column Of
g killed and wounded" fearing that
the names Of loved ones might be there
All ]! who was there in all this our beau
teous Southern land who had Lot att
least some friend to care for among the
mary who followed the " starry cross y
through all its varied fortune? Alas !
how many Of these have now only a
jacket of grey, campaign stained, and
bullet riddled, to remind them of the
loved and lost. Like an indis,inct re
collection of some dream is the remem-
brance of the War, Of its bright be-
ginning when volunteers throaged to
the standard and all hearts baat high
with tae hope and exultation, Of the
tidings of victories which followed one
another in rapid succession, and later
still when the disasters culminting 10
the surrender of our armies tcek away
the Cherished hope of separate Ma
tionality. Many were there who clung
as faithfully to the Southern banner
when skies were dark and its stars were
dimmed by the smoke of doubtful con-
fiiet, as when unsufied by single de-
feat in all its pristine beauty it burst
upon the admirug gaze of the world
and was first kissed by the Southern
breeze. But some there we're who,
vowing loyalty at hrs', remained only
faithful to their pledges SO long as all
went we'll, and basely deserted the
cause they at first SO ardently espouscd
when there was doubt as to the issue.
For such as these we bave only con.
tempt, nor are they respected by those
with whom we fought. They have
proved themselves devoid Of honor, and
who can trust them now ? And what
reward do they receive for the betrayal
of the trust confded in them? Not
into their expectant laps fall the lucra
tive off yes which a~n in the Nation
gift. Trusted no more than those who
fought the thing out by our conquerors,
they are certainly held in no esteem by
those they SO bascly deserted, Had
they been staunced men and true who
can tell what the result might have
heeu? The road to freedom is a cause.
way each timber representing fallen
soldier, Many of our loved ones we
gave to build that road that We who
survived might, through tdeir iustru-
mentality, gain the halcyon fells of
Ipcace which smiliasIy lay beyond the
seas Of blood. All was in vain not
ialways docs success crown the efforts of
the Grave, And where is he who was
wont to control the affairs of our short
lived Republic, which, like meteor
dashed athwart the sky, binding the
: world by its brlliancy? Stripped OF
authority he languishes within prison
walls, listening to the mournful sym
phony Of the waves which break upon
the beach near his cell. Had he enc.
mics when clothed in the reg lila of Of
flee who would be so abject as to speak
dlsparagingly of him now? when he
suffers for whole people? But not
alone he suffers, for when his name is
uttered i'll many circle The bated
breath and brimmiug eye tell how it is
held in revereno oe and from many a
heart ascends daily the fervent prayer
that his prison gates may soon be open.
ed, and that be may walk forth to en
10y with those who love him and whom
he loves his few remaining days in peace
and quiet. A statesman in time oil
peace, brave soldier in War, ruler
for four years of mighty people, he
has in this his last attitude Of pris "a
er of state proved himself none the less
able to demcau himself as becomes the
representative of q chivalric people
What may be his ultimate fate we know
not for we cannot lift the veil that hide:
futurity, but should the worst of fate.
) be his, even the gibbet may be sancti6ee
and become next t. the cross the holies
symbol on Gods earth. Let our peo
! pie initiate the noble example he pre-
sents to US! He stands proudly,
sublime spectacle riveting the atten
: ton and eliciting the admiration of th
J world, asking no favors, but submitting
: with quiet, majestic dignity to the treat