Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-11-26
BUILDING TIE BRIDGE
To tho Amofican.J.

~ III AAAANAAAHAa|
We have notthe slightest doubt that q better
understanding North and South will be the
fruit Of the seed 80 literally planted here py
tho former section in these last three mOnthal
and that Q full restoration Of the ancient
friendly. relations will come in due tune
New orleans 1lmes+ t4A l{1i III
The Southern people win understand now,
IL they failed to understand before, that the
North bear. ne gFudgs against the South. has
no disposition to stir up strife for partisan
effect, is not indifferent TO Southern wants,
and would gladly make sympathy In suffering
a starting point Of unrestrained and kindly
intercourse. At any rate, this is the position
Ofthe North. lNeW York Times. asa Il
From the sunny Land Of Palms arose w ailins
Thro' the aush offowers and leafage pierO-
ing to the brassy sky M
Worn and weary with long watching toiled
the friends so tired and fearful, ~s.r.N
Whose ready hands and hearts at first TO
sponded TO that cry;-- nt1 e9OfgI KIM
While before the scourge appalling,
Like 10 shriyelled blossoms falling, 09
Fell the stricken, and the vail went up,
H"Helpl save us, for We del"
No warriors S1 udc, blast replied no drums, or
Sleeping in the sunny silence elumbered all
the trumpet bands; 81 LIlaN NNalW .
But q little font of type upbore. and while
the world was wondering, iA.
Its "still small EGisss message sent 70
And ten thousand pulses waken .n0ig
As the Northern Pines are shaken
When tho Press called into action hero hearts
and helping hands.
Then across the ''blOody chasm," where, they
tell us, hatred RACES,
Politician blatant TRADE, and the donna
g0gue's harangue, u'f
Urging on a blind vendetta worthy oftho Mid
die Ages. f4l
noble structure sprang, "a. aGlflri
Ola grandeur most supernal
May that beauty be eternall fI.lNNI
A bridge--with angels passing Ger to soften
every pang.
Traitors told us that on one side red victory
was riding,
Scything down tho South as foemen, Al
they battled hilt to hilt;
On the other dark Defeat within her sulleI
cave lay hiding,
Dumb, broOding Ger the ashes where he
dearest blood was split. -Er-ToI
Yesi deep doubtings did assail u.s.
pf Would they hear usl would they fail as
But" Let it bell the people said--and so tn
bridge was built. 1850 rlfntu
Silont-as when thrO' tho midnight silver
|LL
Stands, a warder on the ramparts RatchinI
westward DER the war; ttdirHW'
with his energies Of iron nerved TO deeds 0
dauntless daring, llV
Marches Manhood to the rescue--gWiftl
forging bolt and bar,
Till the fair foundation ridges fr
Of this grandest Of all bridges,
Lay suspended, like a blessing, Ger the blac
abyss afar.
silent--as the sisters seTen- stars seronest 4
Shedding sweetest lambert lustre on tn
silken sWard below;
Came fair woman in her beauty--in her eye
the summer levin
Yelled in mist, and quenched It's flashes a
the tears of sorrow aOW;
Then in long progressive marches,
See her white hands raise the arches,
Of this bridge, to reach a people hallowed by
mighty Woe. i ~
Silent-like the crystal dropping Of the daint
dew-fall, drifting n
Over seathed and scorched savannas, wher
the blooms lie serely curled, in' 4
Came the Children, bringing little gifts lk
snowtakes softly sitting
Till the angel chrism had every bolt, an
bar, and arch impearledl
Childhood, royal in its dover,
In tho puppies Gifts power,
A benson from little things" that guido an
rule the world.
Thus the people went on silently, that mob
bridge u%pbuilding, nnfEIn
And they seulptured on its keystone n,
the eagle, but tho Dove;
When twas finished, came q lustre, like Il
smile Of God, engilding "
Earth's grandest superstructure with a BILE
sing from above.
Christ, the Mereiful, tho glider,
For tho ChFist-like earthly builder
Was Charity--anOther and q better name 4
Lowell i-
L. VIRGINIA FRHsoH.
FOREST HoAH, November IA, 1878.