Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-02-19
[For the SPECTATOR ]
VIRGINIA.
BY A vIRGINIAN.

BYA vIRGINIAN.
1 love thee Virginia, native State, love thee
The home of my childhood, the land OF M
BIRTH
And ever shall love thee, where'r may be,
1t shall still be the one dearest spot upol
| earth.
may love other States. but not love them tn
same,
There's place in my heart that no othe
can fill
But my own native state :-ah. there's no 9th
er name
That sends to my heart that sweet magica
thrill
What a sweet indescrible thrill has that wore
To a native virginian. What need to pro
claim?
For every true son in his heart finds chord
That responds at the sound of that musica
name.
Yes, a son of Virginia, no matter where found
Nor how far from his own native State he
may roam,
Nor how occupied, but looks up at the sound
And recalls to his mind. his own native
home.
Ofmy memory's chamber, 1t opens. the door,
And presents vivid pic tures-loved scenes
| enjoy:
DER
The pictures presented my life as boy:
| I can see there. the valleys and mountains o.
| blue,
And Hist to the brooklet's sweet rhy thmical
| flow.
While the cool. breezy grove where the native
trees grew
Is as dear to me now, as it was long ago.
Near that grove is the spot that my father Sc
| lected
| (Nor could he have chosen more suitable
| one)
And built there his house. twas not only pro
| tected
| From the cold wintry blasts, but the hot
summer sun.
L can see it. cen now, as trace here these
| lines.
| So distinctly almos: do feel that tits near,
While the name that 1t bears, that of "Whis
perng Pines"
| Now whispers to me much that love to
| hear.
1t whispers ofloved ones-ah yes. see there
An unbrok en- familv-the circle complete
dear. loving father and mother, whose care
For my sister and me was ever so sweet.
Tho that circle is broken tho one voice is still
And tho 1 am distant. and there can not
range;
Though change has been made. yet In memo
ry, still
| Is preserved every feature-wI thout any
change.
Such are some of the pleasurable scenes which
come;
Virginia. my State, at the sound ofthy name.
| Oh, for power to portray these sweet memories
of homeI
But nor pencil nor pen could present them
| the same.
And yet, oh, Virginia! such scenes are not all,
| Proud mother of States, that fixes my love,
Thy heroic names, eublematic recall
The virtues possessed by the bearers thereof
| Lives there'a Virginian, not proud OF bis State
| Ofthe names of those heroes, now resting
from toll;
OF the Statesmen and leaders, illustrious, great
whose ashes, now sacred, repose meath thy
Oh, such names as Washing on. Jackson and
| To performance of duty ever urge one on.
While all freemen respond wnen thy banner
they see,
With the motto "sic Semper Tyrannis.' -
thereon.
bled to me-
What Did I sey doubled How can esti-
mate
| That which is above all value, tits go rendered
tome;
'Tis the name OF my wife, as well as my State,
'Tis the name of that dear, loving woman
whose graces
My pen can ne'er hope to express as 1t ought
Though hear not the name. that dearest Of
And that sweet. loving nature can ne'er be
forgot.
In the innefmost re,esses of my souls secret
shrine.
| There's an image indelibly impressed on my
heart.
IT'S true perfect plcture-each feature. each
line.
| All yes. it defies the photographers art
| 'Tis thy picture, my wife; yet to add to Its
| charms,
| Underneath have drawn device that
IT'S Liberty trium phant," my States coat-of
And "virginia," the one word. emblazoned
| thereon.
Thus see. at the name why my heart will e'e
| burn,
/ Why with transports of rapture, my bosom
will swell.
For know that to both shall shortly return
That tits only season at a distance dwell
The time will seem long-but cen now draw
eth near,
And care not how soon nor how fast it ma.
come.
shall soon be united with all bod dear,
And shall be with Virginia, in Virginia, m,
| home.
La Grange, Ark.