Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-01-27

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tains grand,
Saw countless homesteads, uaournful and be-
reaved,
Where mother, sister. wife. betrothed one
grieved;
Grieved sorely for their loved ones, yet with
public pride,
That for their State and Cause. these brave had
died.
Uplooking, wan, yet smiling seemed each one
Dead for his State and honor, like the Spartan
son.
Thus dying. patriots still immortal live,
And noblest solace leave to those who live and
grieve.
And many stern man too, who scorned to
shed
A sorrowing tear. honored and mourned the
dead
bled,
Yet lives. Aye, many from deaths door led,
And there were aged men, the sick, and boys,
Who felt the bitter pangs, and exc the joys,
Inspired by martial prowess, a pride that never
clogs.
Truly for ages it will stir the blood
Ofall who love the valiant, true, and good,
To read or hear those deeds OF honest hardihood.
Would true Virgnians, knowing well the pain,
for all the gain
Of worlds blot out Virginia's record,
Or obscure her fame?
For many a year to come twill be the boast,
And not vain-glorious: True our cause was
But-well-I fought with such q host.
Full many grandlir the boy now at his knee
Still to be born, will speak with reverence the
loved name of Lee,
Perchance will call him "Marse Robert" which
''his people," as in play,
When the death rain came the fastest, still
smiling, loved to say.
fear"
Does grander no5ler, hoIier name appear
In History.
Homage and love alike forever be thy share.
When his own people called HIM, careless Of
praise or blame
He waved off alien honours, which else had
brought him shame.
And sternly stood for State, her honour and
her fame
Sad in his heart, deep grievng, who can say,
To see nation severed. All that in him lay,
To calm the storm he did, and then 'obey,'
The soldiers watchword, led him on the way.
From this he meier looked back, but calmest
mid the fight,
He guides his out-numbered hosts, victorious
in their might
Till, when at last, he saw wars dreadful game
Lay On one cast, he struck, then sought the
blame
OF failure, to shield comrades fame.
E7oh! Bayard Lee, majestic. gentle. great,
Grand in defeat. thou glorid'st State.
That other mighty captain. my right arm."
The great commander called him, with affec-
ton warm,
A man once deemed retiring, almost odd,
Sprans up inspired through love of State and
Ged.
A right arm truly, holding, like fabled Jove,
The thunderbolts of war. to silence or to move.
Did ever leader strihe more swift, resistless
shock,
So firmly fix his ranks-a living rock?
'Stonewall' most called him, while his own
men with glee
Would boast the march of "Jack's Foot Cav
airy
Which never struck, but followed victory!
Long will Virginia glorify that arm,
Which raised to shield her threaten'd breast
from harm,
Was struck and shattered, as approached a calm.
Great Jackson, death -strick en-, lying on his
bed,
From wounds deirious, fancled still he led.
Charge once for victory" aloud he said
Then turning. murmured out life-foresee-
ing heavenly ease,-
Lets cross the river, and rest beneath the
treesr'
Virgjnians ever look with loving eyes
Upon such names, which ever seem to rise
Like mightiest pillars. piercing to the skies.
Models of strength and purity and gi.andly
great,
Because. before themselves, they served the
State.
Long years have passed-a nation once again
Is Joined in fellowship, remembering still its
pain.
This fresh continues, and it long will last
Till suffering merges in the shadowy past,
Peace has her victories; yet a nations pride
Reverts to war-Iike deeds. nor questions it the
side
Which showed most prowess. when kin once
foes are haply REALIZED.
Thus may be viewed in new and gloryine light
The frey onslaught at Manassas fight.
At Charlottesville the stern resistance shown
Even Northern born may then exultant own,
OfShenandoah, and of Seven Pines,
Alike with desperate deeds at Richmond lines;
The serried charge, up Gettysburg's dread
grades,
Will thrill in story like the Light Brigades,' y
Whilst deeds of Northern gallantry with gen.
erous praise will ring,
When from the Southern heart has passed the
sting.
All will be moulded In country's story,
And bring to North, TO South, and to Virginia
| Glory.
| Firgfnians turn again the illustrious page
! Writ with firm lines throughout country s
age.
Mark well the exalted part Virginia took.
When in its birth-pangs this young nation
| shook.
Mark, for a lustrum, how she led the cause
To shape Government, its Policy, its Laws.
Mark, too, unchallenged, how from sense OF
right,
She Joined, sels-martyred, the last momentous
Mark it with pride. With pride feel that on
| you
| ZIG u ~ ntcp Pt.Go
anG that record true.
Already hovering shadows seem to stain
Her page. Its lustre at all odds retain.
Chase off the shadows ere the spots remain.
Let 10 where churlish nature point with scorr
AT proud Virginia, let not the generous mourn
/ What weaker sisters do will meier excuse
Her lapse from virtue-such leadership refuse
See that Virginia takes her old imposing stand
And upward leads, courageous, pure. and grand
See that the men who lead in State affairs,
Act well their parts, perform their righteous
| cares.
Virglnia's future still depends on yon