Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-10-05

whirlpool of civil commotion. Open menace
called forth corresponding threats, and excited
disputauts soon threw themselves into the po-
sition of combatants. The fervor of infurla-
ted debate prepared the minds of all for
conflict, and ere this once dignifed ma
ton was aware of it, its Numerous sons
we're divided into sections, created distinct by
The nature ofthe quarrel, and marshaled against
each other, in all the reality of stern and bloody
war. Each section voted it's own Leader; and
men who had nursed from the same bosom,
slept in the same bed, fed from the same table,
learned at the same school, and bowed at the
same altar, were marched in Caln-hke madness
to their mutual slaughter. All was changed
from the legitimate and normal condition, 11to
illegal and unnatural conduct, and, like judg-
meat of God, scene of ruin and blood and
groans hung over this Nation. The desola-
ton and crime and tears, which resulted, made
the notes Of the times, and sons met, not as
their fathers had lived for the sound Of the
fearful cannon that hushed the gentle tones OF
placid friendship, displaced esteem, and mutual
confidence departed forever. The clangor of
battle ceased and the conquer0r and the CON
quered made the words Of truce but 1T was
not as of yore The hatred of each other, that
formed them toes in war, still made thcm
enemies in peace and the blood that reddened
their path sank into the earth to be the seed
of after contention.
Thus the Nation that was so humble and
pure in infancy, so vigorous in childhood, and
50 proud in growth, lived but seventy-fve
years free from intestine war; and the favored
experiment of the capacity Of man, for self
government, died while the force necessary to
test it, was applied by the heat OF party strife.
Its existence was but the period OF ordinary
lifetime; and it's spirit sank and its glory de-
parted 1t recovered from the conflict weak
and disgraced; and the boasts OF its institutions
hushed Its liberty stood aghast amid the
threatening scow of Imperialism; and its
pride wthercd in the hearts of its people,
EsTRANeEAIENT did its perfect work; and 1t
remained not the idol that its best children
once esteemed it, but the wrecked and de-
formed semblance Of it's former self. 1t ceased
to be what it was, and many were indifferent
TO it's fate Its genius stood not before the
world as it once had bright and unshamed, but
as a subdued spectacle, deprived of self,respect,
ruined by the baseness Of its unbrld!ed pas
sions, and ready at any moment, to disappear
through the dissolving influence OF Its own
RIGHTEOUSNESS. Its prestige declined, and Its
flag dropped Lis reflective sons contemplated
the change in fearful regret, and their hearts
were filled with sorrow to think how much had
been lost without the power of reclama ation.--
Oh, how changed it was to them, and feel
ing of uncertainty, mingled with a dread OF the
future, rested upon their souls; for there was
no stability; and when they remembered that
the charms Of the Nation, had been swept
away, in space less than that which measures
half the days Of child, their lives felt more
| lik wan duty, than d pleasure; and grief hung
upon their brows Like orphans they wander
ed and through the gloom of their long weary
night, they saw no morrow S sun; for far down
the receding side of fortune wheel, their bliss
of country and Of home, descended there to
| Iinger until the voice of returning reason calls
justice to right their wrongs, but never, alas,
to make their Nation what it was!