Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-05-22
OUR CHIP BASKET.


- Our "chips" are rather large this
week. How could they be. otherwise 7
- sparkling letter, yes, sparkling. and yet
almost fearful in pathos, which could
have no less choice place in the COL
umns than his; and then GEoaGE- Civ
.Tr aud .s642r to como in. No, room for
the little minnows of paragraphs is such
company, ju. The feast will be found no
less delicious though the courses srefem.
Our Chip Basket viii never contain any
thing more graceful than the following letter
from lady in st. Louis. Patriotism never
found worthier expression-the Old Flag"
never y more feeling and eloquent tribute
than here. We trust that this may be but
the first of many contributions from the same
gifted pen r
Sr. LOUIS. May 10, 1868.
ED. JOURNAL This morning all dweliers
in South st. Louis were wakened by peal af-
ter peal OF artillery from the Arsenal, usher
ing in the anniversary Of the capture of Camp
Jackson. Passing through the srman part
of the city, on our way to church, we found
it all as1aze @ith the Stars and Stripes
From every balcony, and by every doorway
they floated. Great flags suspended across
the street, little flags peeping from every nook
and corner; some bright and new, others
war-worn and stained some decorated with
flowers, and some trimmed with evergreens.
Carondolet Avenue, in particular, seemed,
through its entire length, a gorgeous brilliant
hower.bed Just burst into bloom. Beautiful
nedaliions too, bearing inscriptions to Gen.
Lyon. and other brave, heroic names insepa-
rable from the "Free Missouri" whose liber.
ty they achieved. were interspersed among
the banners.
And there. passing up Walnut Street, are
those who participated in the conflict i'm
fahtry. artillery. cavalry-the remnants of
each. "There go the RGscals," said gen.
tleman in the street-car to the Conductor
"Yes." if you choose TO call them rascals. "
replied The phlegmatic Teuton.
"What is it ?" innocently quest toned 4
lady, of the above mentioned gentlman.-
" Why. it's the 10Th of May. the taking OF
Camp Jackson" "Yes," she replied. /"
know and are those IFS defenders 2" Not
exactly" the gentleman answered, perceiving
at once the delicately implied sarcasm, "they
are called the Grand Army Of the Repu blic.' .
"Ah, YES, and / honor the Grand Army Of
the Republic very MUCH said the lady. in a
low-toned. earnest voice. Not another word
was said derogatory to the Dutch Soldiers
who saved the city and the State for the En-
ion in that ride, and some there were who
felt thankful that it is q womans right to
speak for the cause dear to her, gently and
unobtrusively, even in street car.
But to some of us how wildly the scene
recalled the tragic, heroic past. Picture af-
ter picture arose before us-one memory af-
ter anOther-tbe Hapry joyous life, Drumming
with sunshine, seldom dimned even by tear
drop, and then the tear but setting for a
bright-hued rainbow-which was ours, be-
fore the Great Conflict. The opening of the
war, which closed forever the happy by-gone
life, with each successive scene, was again re.
lived until the end came, and darkness set.
tied down upon us forever. For TO some of
us, women who now have nothing left to hope
for. and but. little to fear in our earthly life
that dear old flag brings tears into heart and
eyes. It's stars speak to US of beautiful eyes
eyes.th held all our earthly light, which
were dimmed and darkened that those stars
might shine on. unshadowed. Its stripes
whisper to US of the crimson heart-blood of
our darling ones which so freely Redeemed
the sod, that those stripes might ever wave
"o'or the land of the free and the home of
the brave" And now we sit alone, in empty,
silent homes. Yet sacred and sweet to US is
the loved symbol of that holy cause for which
our bravest, best and dearest dipd so willing
ly, and prayer wells up from our heats to
the God of Righteousness. Truth and Justice.
" Oh, Father, let It not be in vain that we sit
desolate-not in vain that our brothers, loY-
ers, husbands. sons. offered their lives sacri-
fee to Liberty: May American fIeeinen see
to it that III precious gift be moi. wasted or
forgotten, E,H,LH,