Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1872-07-06

the rose" 1t has explored the deer
realms Of nature, and seising upon itt
forces has applied them for mans con.
veniencc. Nor is this all, for unrcs.
trained by the limits Of earth it has
SCARED to the sun and wandered among
those shining orbs to analizc their
component parts.
That expression Of Hannibal which
echoed among the Alpine SHOWS,
more than eighteen centuries ago,
comes ringing down the corridors OF
time tonight. All the generations
that have gone before send back the
cry along their ranks from century to
century 1t is prolonged from the
nights Of renown BY the great and
good, as they are still pressing on to
loftier elevations. The generation in
which we live takes up the cry, az lit
erature, science and art marching on
with gigantic strides. The uncountcd
millions that are to take our places,
are advancing with the same acclama-
ton. From every source, from every
rank, and from every creature, comes
the repeated, earnest cry" Press on !
Forget the things which are behind,
reach forth to those which arc before p
1t comes to us, fellow members of
the Washington Irving Society" in
this the day Of our trials. True the
realities Of life have scattered our
old members, and the ravages of war
destroyed all that once constituted it a
society worthy the complimentary no.
tice Of him whose name We bear. But
the same grand object is still before us
liberalization Of feloquenceond literary
taste. An object which, if attained,
will be elevating in its influence, re-
fining and useful in its results
The vast fields of literature are be.
fore us unexplored, beckoning us on
to their inviting storms, and our sue.
cess in reaching them will depend upon
our own exertions. To resolve is often
to accomplish, but to hesitate in the
path of duty is to abandon the object
of pursuit.
1t comes to us, fellow students, in
the pursuit acknowledge. Mountains
of difficulty may rise before us, but the
exertion required to surmount them,
only prepares us for the enjoyment Of
the Italy beyond. The process of self
Improvement is indeed gradual, toll
some, and long, but the result is sure
and glorious. There is no short and
easy path to the goal, no royal car run
meth thither. 1t is by untiring energy
and diligence, that we are ever permit
ted to enter there.
"May we toll then onward, ardent ever,
Fearless scale each towering hight,
where mysterious clouds are resting,
Hiding still our goal from sight,
Tnus snail we, when ngc Is shedding
THICK lts SHOWS upon our head;
And the path OF life seems lengthened
To our weary faltering tread,
Find within our minds deep Golfers
Better wealth than countless gold,
Gems of knowledge rich and sparkling,
Diamond thoughts of price untold"
1t comes to all classes and conditions
of men, toiling in the pursuit of honor
and distinction, but with increasing
force and beauty, it applies to us all,
as pilgrims in desert world and trav-
elers to the regionsof eternity.
The combined evils of the world,
the flesh, and the DEVIL" tower like
in our path, while our race
is groveling in mutiny upon the plains
below. Our great captain" has gone
before, and left us the chart which di-
reefs the way. 1t describes the beauties
of that Celestial City, but it docs not
the rewards that shall there
be given, for" eye hath not seen nor car
heard, nor hath it ever entered into the
heart of man, what glorics shall be re-
vcaled to the finally faithful" What
though the way be narrow and difficult.
darkly What though clouds of sorrow
hang over usl Beyond is the Eternal
City, and the Land pure of Delight"
What though temptations beset on
every side, and fatigue oppross us by
the wayl Beyond is a place of joy and
peace, where" sorrow and signing shall
lee away"
What though disease and death de-
'troy this frail tencmentl Beyond
we shall be like Him." to enjoy the
'ich fruits Of the Tree Of Life, whose
caves are for the healing of the ma
ions"
Gov. WM. SMITH of Virgins has
Vriffcn a Groalov loffor cIf,.;nu th,s