Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-12-26
HerOism.
BY MINNIE A. RIPLEY.

tyrant stained with OPPRESSION, not by tn
ambitious politician, neither by the histor
ical warrior with banners dyed in blood
but rather by one who has incurred
danger to save the life or honor O
another, and has kept his own characte
unsulied.
All ages and nations have their heroe
and examples Of heroism. England coult
designate many who might wear the lau
rel, but in all her record no one sough
mMe unseltishy to elevate his people thar
did King Alfred.
Ieiand has been wrapped in the fold:
OF pestileuce and poverty, yet she TOO has
brought her sheavcs of heroic deeds ant
laid them at the feet of time. There is MOI
an Irish heart that does not love the name
of Daniel O'Connell. He it was who coulC
skillfullv portray the woes OF his country
men. lie was not afraid to stand before
England's lords and ministers and tell
them that they cruelty treated his people
and denied them the privileges of free
men. His heart was ever with the poor
peasant, and his aim was the liberty oil
Ireland.
France has been represented by writer's
and scholars, but there lived one who was
stranger to literary pursuits and the
cultivation Of school life; yet her deeds
will remain when the name of Joan of
Arc has crumbled from the monument
above her resting place. Her purpose
was TO free her country, and when we
decide according to the result of her work
we can but regard her heroine.
Scotland may manifest partiality in
favor of her poets, yet SO long as the dews
fall on the field of Bannockburn the loyal
Scots will love the deeds of Robert Bruce.
But to us, Americans, our generals are the
most heroic and our soldiers the most
Ioval. We cannot fail to admire the true
hearted volunteers of our late rebellion.
Numberless were the acts which made
them heroes. Keeping their vigils
by the bedside of the dying, denying
themselves their blankets that some poor
comrade should not suffer from the damp.
ness of the night, dividing their rations on
the march and sharing each others bur-
dens, We can think of them as they
marched he lonely beat at midnight with
no company save the stars. But we can
best view their courage in the hour of bat
tie, fully consecrated to their task, they
were determined that the black raven OF
slavery should not fold his wings on the
''star spangled banner and the victories
of Cesar and Wellington seem inferior
when compared with those that established
the truth that, "all men are equal"
There is n broken helmet in Battle
Abbey beating this inscription, "woe unto
him that is faint hearted" Patien,
endeavor in the face of obstacles has often
been rewarded by noble results. The
scientist who although prosecuted and
ridicued has devoted his energies to the
researches of philosophy. The discoverer
who will not give up the voyage until he
reaches the long sought land. The schol
ar who by industry has raised himself
from poverty and obscurity. All deserve
praise and are worthy of being mentioned
as heroes.
Woman needs heroism, she should be
trained to self reliance and resolution with
as much care as is given to the study of
music or the languages. There is nothing
in fear that exciles admiration and in the
hour of trial it even appears as deform
ity. The women whose names will ever
be cherished, were they who possessed
strong nerves and ready hands. AS a
member of society woman requires a
mental heroism which shall prevent her
from being a slave to the caprices of fash
ion. She will then feet that she is some
thing more than mere statue to be deco
rated with silk and ribbons.
Physical herosm is that strength of
body which laid low the forests of few
decades since to give place to our villages
By this power the shafts of marble have
been cut from the walls of the rocks, and
when we contemplate what labor has
accomplished we become convinced that
the civilization of country can never
advance beyond the physical heroism of
its people. Self defence is merely phys.
ical heroism, the absence of which
makes man a coward. Presence of mind
should always accompany this energy then
by knowing what to do and doing it one
may protect his friends and himself
I he highest type of this virtue is moral
heroism. The martyr TO principle accepts
death with n willing heart, and he who
surmounts obstacles for the purpose of
maintaining truth and right defeats giants
that have taken from the king his crown
and robbed men of virtue. The strength
Of mind to resist temptation, and in the
power TO say no excels all the graces or
branches of study taught in schools or col
lcges. Many children have moral heroism
and il seems contrary to their natures to
tell an untruth. This however does not
prove it is an inherited trait for it has
often been acquired. Men enfeebled by
strong drink aware that they were destroy
ing themselves have changed their course.
Others degraded by profanity have sup
pressed the habit and made themselves
admired to correctness of expression
Very many whose lives have seemed like
a barren waste have formed confeder
acy with virtue and are resslless powers
in assisting others to better lives.
This kind of self improvement may
always he obtained by obeying the call OF
conscience. The furnace of persecution
IS engraved with many names and tht
pen would need to be dipped in blood 10
give suitable coloring to the record oil
those who have been oppressed and muir
dcred for doing their duty.