Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-05-14

For the Spectator.
Mr. EDITOR Il respectfully ask small
space in your valuable paper, for notice of the
closing exercises of Mr.. F. Vincent's School at
Jennings Gap, on the evenings Of 18th and
10Th inst
After rigid examination in which the young
ladies and gentlemen of the School acquitted
themselves with much credit. An exhibition
was given, which not only afforded amusement
and Instructive lessons to the denseIy crowded
audience, but which would have done honor to
any institution of learning" of greater pre-
tentions Several dramas and tragedies were
acted, two OF which deserve special mention =
Used Up and 'The Louisiana Traitor -
the latter being an original piece composed for
the occasion by the Principal, illustrative of
some points of the exploits performed under
the administration of the gallant Beast at
New Orleans, and of womans patriotic devo-
ton to the ''lost cause" Interesting essays
were read by Misses Josie Mahaney, Lucretia
Mann, and Gertrude Cross. "Jeptha' Daugh-
ter, by Miss Mann, was particularly conspic-
uous, as being a subject Of some obscurity-
handled with much ease and gracefulness Mr..
w. |. Kunkle delivered an appropriate address
on Patriotism, Of which the following is sy-
nopssis
Patriotism ever eharacterizes brave peo-
ple = Nations may pass away without
leaving one trace Of their former greatness but
the name Of chivalrous nation can never per-
ish The glory of its achievements will be a
theme upon which the orator, historian and
poet will ever delight to dwell \ True
patriotism is the sacrifice of every selfish inter-
est that conflicts with the good of his country
La the exercise of it, individual considerations
must be banished; and unless this object be
kept in view by the people composing nation
1t is sure to degenerate, and become corrupt,
morally and politically. \ X We have an
example OF this in our own country This con-
tinent was once the abode of Liberty. Under
the wise and just administrations of Adams, of
Jefferson and others, civil liberty was enjoyed
by all the American people. But now alas
how changed The people of the
North having time and again removed the land
marks Of our liberty, established by the illus
trious patriots of the Revolution, we remonstra-
ted repeatedly; and not until our just remon-
strances were UNDECIDED, did we take I'D arms
as last resort. The result is known by all and
need not be repeated With the downfall Of
our hopes, came the Punishment of liberty from
America and in its stead despotsm rules sl1,
preme-.radicalism sways the sceptre, and States
rights is thing of the past. x The
widows wall, the orphan S cry have scarcely died
upon the breeze, yet our victors would still add
to our cup Of atflotion by requiring US to sacri
flee h0nor. Shall We accede to their base de-
mands. and by one fell act oblterate the glory
of the past, and fix a stigma upon our name
which time can never etface?
God sometimes delivers righteous nation
into the hands Of its enemies for wise purposes,
and that which we now regard as a great evil
may result in great good. < At all
events let US not thro' fear of Northern fanati-
eislii act disgraosfpl part; but let us 'stand
still and see the salvation of the Lord"
The sentiments embodied in these extracts
could not fail to be appreciated here, as we'll as