Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-11-06

Hedged in from the needless or hostile,
nurtured with the least show of loving
care, it might grow to a noble tree, ex-
tending its welcome shelter far and wide;
but, exposed and uncared for, every mo-
ment may see it trampled upon and
crushed beyond all possibility of restora-
ton. But "the spirit which seeks to
glorify" righteous cause, clinging to
the living who ennoble and the dead who
sanctify it-that spirit immortal as the
soul itself, born of the free unconquera-
BILE will that acknowledges but one Mas
ter-how vain the power of man to tame
it.
Seek to bind
The chainless and unbdden wind.
Oppose the torrents headlong course.
And turn aside the whirluiDd's force;
But deem not that the mighty wind
viii cover before the blasts Of hate,
Or quail at dark and causeless ill;
For though all else be desolate.
1t stoops not from its high estate
A Marius mid the ruins still.
Strange, indeed, would it be if the
South, after giving to the page of history
story unsurpassed, if equaled, in the
world annals-a record where the purest
patriotism, the noblest courage and the
most heroic endurance, the proudest at
tribute of man and womans most win
ming excellence-all blend like the hues
of the rainbow to form an arch OF glory
that will span the Southern sky while
time endures-if she were the first to in
scribe there the terrible story of pee
Piles degradation; to tell that she alone
among the many conquered nations was
unworthy of the noble blood. freely
poured out in her defense, since at the
bidding of authority she could meekly
hush her lamentations and eulogies, and
consent that her graves-the dearest pos
session remaining to her-should be
neglected, and the memories that cluster
around them forgotten. Nol the South
can never cease to honor her glorious
dead. Though poverty-hardest of mas
ters-may join with government officials
to forbid the erection of the memorials
she yearns to see pierce her sunny skies,
telling to the world her heroes glory and
her gratitude, yet the grandest, most en-
during monument is theirs
Humble may be the resting place of the
Confederate soldier, unmarked his lowly
mound; but around it twine the tender
est, proudest feelings of millions of true
hearts. Tbither comes his gallant COM
rade, no longer wearing the gray, but
treasuring in his unconquered soul the
lofty pride and love Of country that kept
him faithful through cold and hunger
and hardship, the heart that throbbed
fearless and free beneath the ragged gray
jacket the noble matron who with Spar
tan irmness and Christian gentleness,
has given her first born and her youngest
darling to their country; the gentle
maiden who has forced smiles to the
trembling lips that bade adieu to an hon
ored father, and idolized brother going
forth to the tented field the loving
bride whose hottest earthly affections
were laid unshrinkingly, worthy sacri-
fee, ON her country's altar; the little
child proud in remembering its soldier
father, and instinctively hushing it's
merry prattle at sight of the green hill
lock, to ask in softest tones if this is a
soldiers grave Oh while such
mourners bring the heart own tributes,
what need has he of other memorial 7
And what monument, though glistening
with marble and dazzling with gold, so
beautiful and touching as the floral deco
rations of whole people united to offer
to their departed heroes Beautiful
custom, honorable alike TO the living
and the dead.
Bright flowers. the fittest Offering
At the tomb of the brave and true.
The purest thin e. from earth that spring,
Impearled with heavens dew.
Fair flowers ye hold within your cup,
The lavish gifts of Southernskies-
Here yield your gathered sweetness up,
Here spread your rainbow dyes.
Wind fondly round the hallowed spot
Where childhood's snnny tresses wave.
And manhood weeps and woman prays,
At the Confedorate's grave.
Oh those graves-those graves Well
may tyranny, though cased in steel, tri-
umphing insolently over the living,
vaunting its resistless power, tremble at
thought of their silent, motionless ten
ants. Well it knows that
Freedom hath arisen,
Oft from statesmen's strife,
Oft from battle flashes.
Oft from hero's life,
0ftenest from his ashes "
"No monuments |" Perhaps it is as
well, and the Confederate people gazing
on the uncommemorated graves of their
martyrs, may feel with the prophet bard
of young Ireland at the grave of Wolfe
Tone;
I'm Bedentown churchysrd there is a green
grave,
And freely around il LET winter wind raye;.
Far better they suit him-thc srain and the
gloom
Till Ireland, nation. can build him tomb"