Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-03-30
For The
March,.

March IA little word, only five letters,
but how pregnant with power 1t is revi-
viscent. 1t bursts from our lips as the ball
from the cannon's mouth, combustible in its
very nature. March IA great commander
speaks, regiments spring at the sound. The
loiterer hastens to his place, the dreamer to
his post. Every glance becomes concentrated,
every step firm, the laughter and jesting of
a moment since gives place to eager intent
ness, steady purpose begins to go forward,
scorning impediments, overcoming difficult
ties, because of that little word "march."
March 1T is the Masters voice, all Nature
responds. The sun, with an intenter gaze
scans the whole earth, the winds shake them.
selves out for frolic, the rivers fret against
their icy chains and throw up tiny waves of
defiance and reconnoitre. The trees feel
life tingling along their veins, the barnyard
fowl sends shriller clarion-notes to greet the
dawn the elixir of nature, like old wine in
our veins, rouses our human hearts to fresher
throbbings; the child-soul pushes outward,
the invalid takes on new courage, old age
creeps to the door, and, peering out, breathes
in the air with renewed vigor. March has
come.
Yes, shake your rough name, and bluster
as you will, old friend we are accustomed
to your freaks and know the genial heart
beneath your rugged aspect. Scatter your
snowaakes-they. have lost their bite, and
can but remind us now of the perfumed
drifts ahead, when youthful Summer will
drop her bloom about our paths. Roar
winds, your every breath is replete with
precious memories of days gone by, with
loudly spoken hopes of days to come. DE-
we not know that at your garments hen
clings fragile SPRING. That with all youl
bluster you never cut her loose, and in 20 III
very boisterousness proclaim her advent
All hail, old lion OF the year We would moi
spare you from our calendar if we could
Standing between two certainties, one pass
ing, one coming, you tell us of ourselves
you read to us lesson replete with courage
teach us to meet adversity with strength tina
scorns the trivialties that would hinder oul
progress, while fostering the tender leaner'
on our greater strength. Pioneer month
send thy strong currents through our ma
tion's veins Give our young men of th.
hardihood March Did you hear tn
word, idler? Has the Master sent it t.
your heart Do you know the meaning o
its clear-cut sound ? Up there is worl
awaiting you Forward, there are posi-
bilities ahead undreamed Upward, ther
are for you, for all, hopes unspeakable
March. Alas, not always toward oil
earth, sometimes beyond it. To some Marcl
is the order to depart. Its suns melt NOR
than snow-banks, its winds wake death a
well as life, and watt upon their departing
wings not winter only, but the loved o
many homes. To the quiet chamber tn
order comes, by the weary couch the Mas
ter's voice is heard. March All, whittier
Look up, departing one it is but the callinl
out from life that Was to life that is forever
, eternal springtime dawns upon thy Wis
ion Dry thy tears, mourner, in "the Sum
mer Land of Song summer unending reign;
,, Pilgrim, gird up thy loins, thy summons ma
! be next. Be ready joyfully to strike tn
tent at the word, March