The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1883-05-31

innovation in the plan Oh SoHe'n-
ment. In democratic Greece, theif
mythology was interviewer Win
their confederate constitutions. Inc
Heavens were peOpled by Gods, VINO
under the general rule Of Jupiter,
had the affairs Of the human race
especially in chargf; and an offended
Deity was sure 20 bring suh-rlDg ana
misfortune npOn the offending Ma
iOp. The disastrous wars "f the
PeIoponnesus had their origin in
religious controversy. Numa Pom
piius, the 2nd King Of Rome, j.
chic fly illustrious as the founder OF
the Roman system of religious Wor-
ship; and tho cropping in The DARK,
in the absence Of the light OF the
christian revelation, the religion OF
the Romans was mass of Ignorant
SuperstltiOn and absurdity, its IN
| fiuence was so great that favorable
augury from a fight of birds. or an
encouraging response from the Col
| lege Of Priests, sufficed to send the
| Roman legions with irresistible EN-
thusiasrn, against the enemy, and the
successful General returned thanks
for his victory to his tutelary Deity.
For several ages together" as re
marked by Machiavelli, ''never was
the fear OF God more eminentiy con-
spicuous than in the Roman Repub
lic" 1t was this consideration which
made the great st. Austin observe.
That God would not give Heaven
to the Romans, because they were
hrst hens; but he gave them the en-
pire of the world, because they were
virtuOuS."
The sublime self abnegation and
| religious enthusiasm Of The Maid OF
Orleans, revived the failing courage
of the French soldiers, stopped the
| onward progress of the victorious
| English and saved to the descend
ants of Hugh Capet the inheritance I
1hal lemagne. While it might nDl
have been wise-and this was the
view our forefatherS tOok-tO bur-
den their new attempt at democratic
frderate government, by connecting
with its functions any duties in re-
gard to religion, it is to be regretted
that in the constitution OF the United
| States, there is no reference 10 the
ruler of ala Nations no invocation
of His divine favor on SO important
an undertaking, or even a recognl-
ton, that without His gracious will
We could not exist as Nation
righteousness exalteth a Nation,
but sin is a reprOach to any people,
saws the Book of all Books.
NJ less important than religion, in
forming the character Of a true man
and good citizen, is Patriotism. In
fact, they should be Synonymous.
Nations exist, forms of government
are established by divine will and
consent Respect and obedience to
human institutions and authority il
virtue mf citing with reward undel
divine command, The Martyrs
spirit ascending to Heaven from the
cross, the stake, the dungeon, is re
ceved into those blessed abOdes
amid the rtjoicings of angels. Can
| we believe "a less glorious reception
awaits the soul of the patriot Wher
life's filful dream is DER? AS tine
mortal eye of the patriot Montrose
was dimmed by the ignominiOu,
dust of the scaffl I'D, doubt not hi
spiritual eye, glortied by his deed:
in behaifof Scotland, aWaked to gag:
upon tho ~S-o end -ro~-erc47 of PArA
disc. Marco Rzzaris, the Epa mi
nondas of modern Greece, fighting
FIR his country, fell in battle against
the Turks on the sight of ancian nj
Plataea. His last words were: "Tt
die for liberty is a pleasure, not :
pain" Says the poet:
They fought like brave men, long anc
we'll;
They pied the ground with Moslen
slain;
They conqured. but Bozzaris fell,
Bleeding at every vein.
His few surviving comrades saw
His smile, when rang their proud
| hurrah-
And the red field was won;
Then saw in death his eyelids close
Calmly, as to nights reposa,
Like flowers at set of SUM-
GA the banks of the beautiful river
he loved so we'll; in sight of the
capitol Of the Nation. his arm served
to defend; in the full measure of
honOrs a grateful people showered
upon him the Father of his cOun-
try lay dying. The aged eye of the
patriot grew DINNER and DINNER
as the vital spark sank lower and
lower in It's frail tenement. But there
was no dread Of death. Feeling
that the hour of his departure out of
this world was at hand, he desires
every one to quit the room: and
there, by himself, like Moses alone
Oh the top of Plsgah, standing on
the awful boundary that divides
time from eternity, he seeks the face
OF his God. Calmly like a child's
slumber, with the words, FEATHER
of mercies take me to myself" passed
away The great soul of Washington.
What rounded life! What an ex-
ample to the youth of his country!
A few years later, and that coun-
try, whose independence Washing
ton achieved, Is engaged in civil
war-Nirginia, the place of his ma
uvity, is the battle ground, and the
blood Of her sons once more is shed
IN repu!se of their country's inva-
der5. Again, one of her sons, con-
SplcuOus for his transcendant militia
ry geniOu5, is the guiding star of his
country's hope. Victory and indie.
pendence seem to hang upon his
life. Like 2ld Cromwell, he falt-he
was Gods chosen servant to free his
country. But alas as If to save him
from the sight Of his country's de
| feat, the random shot of an aimless
weapon takes that precious life in
the zenith Of its glory. He had done
MS dnty to his country; his l,fe had
! testified To the world his devotion
aud obedience to his masters will.
and no murmur or regret at his un-
timely death, escapes his feverish
lips.
Let US cross over the river ami
/ of
he says, and gentle sigh only, tells
to his stricken wife and sor.owing
| friends, that Jackson's soul is with