The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-02-20
TIM. LINKINWATER
" Non Nobis Solum Sed Patria ct
Amices."
written for the Democrat. ]

high.spirited boy, matriculated under the
fostering care Of my Alma Mater, the Wes-
tern Military Institute, then located at
Drennon Springs, Kentucky. Beautiful
Drennon! how lovingly this world-wearied
spirit reyerts to thy green shades, and to
the joyous companionships that made thy
pleasant walks and leafy bowers more
pleasant still. Loved friends of my boy
hood generous competitors in the Olym-
pic race for rizesLjovial companions in
many a merry bout how brightly your
faces cluster round me as I write-how dis
tinctly your forms rise up from amid the
dim shades Of the vanishing past And
one form and face seem even more vivid
than the rest-'tis the youthful orator OF
our debating club, and the theme of his ell
oquence is the motto of the club-the
words which head this article. Brothers
of the Addisonian Society,"! where'er the
varying fortunes Of life have cast you, do
ye not recognise with heart-thrill the
words that formed in those bright days our
rallying cry? We were very proud Of our
society, as most young collegiens are Of
their debating club, and strained every
nerve to surpass our competitors Of the
Columbian. 1t was therefore matter of
no small triumph to our side when the
young and brilliant c., pet Of PROBES
sors and pride Of the College, joined US. 1t
was the night of his initiation into the
mystic brotherhood, and he had chosen for
his inaugural address the motto of the club
Non nobis soEuns sed Patrid ct Amices.
Methinks see him now--his slight erect
figure buttoned up with military exactness,
the rich glossy chesnut-brown hair, worn.
almost effeminately long, thrown back from
a brow where "every god did seem to set
his seal to give the world assurance of q
man" and the dark bright eyes flashing
with the light Of high and holy zeal.
Never had those noble words been so nobly
expounded-" Not for ourselves only, but
for our country and friends" Our country!
her claims were paramount to all others
extending from the cradle to the grave,
through boyhood and youth, and strongest
when the toga ui,'ils was assumed, aud
manhoods cares and duties were before u.s.
Never must those claims be forgotten or
ignored-in the forum or on the battle
field, with tongue and pen and sword, and
even if need be with the hearts best blood
must that tribute be paid. God first, and
next the native land And then from his
lips burst the oft-quoted but never worn
out lines,
"Breathes there the man with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said
This is my own, my native land +" &c.
Hackneyed as those immortal lines have
become, and often as they have resounded
from the lips Of the venal patriot and dem
agogue, SO just was the emphasis c.
placed on every word, so heartfelt and soul
thrilling each infection of his voice, that
the beautiful sentiment gained new
beauty from the speakers tone and manner.
The duties of man in all the varied re-
lations of life as citizen and friend were &C.
curately and eloqueutly ezpounded--the
selfseeking egotism which makes the ever
lasting II" the be-all and the end-all Of ex.
istenco Indignantly denounced. and the
young orator ended amid rapturous ap-
plause with the motto Of the Society on
his lips-Noa mobis soluns sed PatriQ ct
Amices. @ e
All! we'll, those old days are long gone
by-the friends then linked together by
community of interests and intimate daily
companionship are scattered far and wide,
each following his separate path through
life. c. graduated with the highest
honors OF the Institute, delivered a most
eloquent valedictory, and went out into the
world to carry into practice on that grand
arena the principles that had governed him
in the narrow College life. We did not
meet for years, but I heard Of him occa-
sionally, and never q tongue mentioned his
name but grew eloquent in its praise. In
every relation Of life, in every oct of his
public or private career, he did indeed live
mot for himself only, but for his country
and friends" So time passed on, and the
halcyon days Of peace we're gone, and the
war-clouds brooded dark and sullen over
the land. The times that try mems souls
were upon us; and while the base and
iaint-hearted sh.ank from the trial, the ring
OF the true metal sounded clear through
the din of strife. c. had married then
was husband and father, yet not for q
day could the dear ties of home hold him
back when bis country called him to the
field. God first, and next the native land
All, had our country boosted many such
sons We should not now be the down-trod-
den slaves we are! He was among the