Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-11-14

s6FSeven years ago the Southern.States
proclaimed their independence from the
quiet and calm Of seventy years peace.
The martial drum, the spirit'stirring fife
and the blast of the bugle were heard in
the land. In every State and county and
town resounded the notes of preparation.
In all the States Of the great country the
whole forty millions were reused and
nerved to the utmost tension. The hust-
ings and the forum we're eloquent with
calls upon manhood, and incentives to
devotion and patriotism to the Govern
ment, on either side. The press poured
forth its bitter invectives and fiery anath-
emas. The pulpit itself was not
silent, and the drawing room Kissed
forth its language of scorn to the
hating, the coward and the laggard.
Every song seemed full of the fire of
liberty, every argument in the South was
burthened with wrongs of the South,
every argumentin the North pressed the
duty of defending the Union, which was
the creation of the sages of the revolu-
ton, and every Grafton proclaimed that
the time for action had arrived, when
hesitation was dishonor, and to daily was
death. The wealth, the influence, the
mind of the South was for the prosecu-
ton of the revolution to independence.
The very children prattled the hate of
oppression which they had drank in at
the breast, the young men and maidens
We'd with each other in emulating to he
roic exertions, and the houses of talent
and influence were chief in sustaining
the war, and urging its vigorous prose
cution.
There we're exceptions from all classes,
out Of sight and overslaughed, though
not few. We state the rule rather than
the exceptions. The flower of the youth,
the bone and sinew, the patriotism and
soul Of the whole nation in all quarters
ard on both sides was reused as by an
archangePs trump.
And now the young men, the dear
youth and very flower of the land, and
the sole hope for its great and glorious
future, educated, Influenced, controlled,
and believing they we're doing the work
of duty aud patriotism and glory went
forth to battle with gallant and honest
hearts, With the convictions, which
circumstances had imposed on them, had
they done less, it must have been with
consciousness of selfdishouor, impossi-
BILE always to the generous and brave.
As volunteers they went forth. With
banners streaming, with the exciting
strains Of martial music, amid the
shouts Of the multitude, the ap-
proval of the aged and lead
ing men, and with the smiles
of the fair, they went forth, with the
promise to return with their shields or
on them. Calamity have they redeemed
their pledge and done all It was in their
power to do. No matter whether right
or wrong, they obeyed their own convic
tons Of duty and the voice Of con.
science They are part of the wealth
Of their great country. They have
given testimony TO its power, luster to
its glory, and proved that heroes are in
digenous to American soil Can such
men be condemned, except as the mean
and base condemn tie good and brave.
But they Of the South have returned I;
net as they went Forthwith drums beat
ing and colors flying and the plaudits Of
the multitude; not with every comfort
that money could provide or delicate
hands prepare; not with cheering hopes
and expectations Of prosperity; but
ragged, pennies, care-woru and ema-
ciaied, with hopes blighied and friends
ruined. they have returned to a land des-