The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-06-29
FLAG or "a


following beautiful sss.h compose.
and delivered By sir}chas. II. Gof'
al the Confederate decoration a
Springfield, Mo- Mr.. Goflc was one,
a prominent resident Of East Carol
and will be remembered by the olde
as the editor of the Car
roll Record:
Flag Of once imperial trust!
Flag that eGshrines a nations dust;
Flag of a fallen cause
Lost spirit of ensanguined fight
Whence wanderest, In thy spectral fight
Who once defied the Eagles might.
And won worlds applause?
Back to thy shadowy bourne return
Thine altar fires no longer burn.
AS once they bl.zed of yore;
Thy consolidated cross has set
Behind the war-grimmed parapet,-
Beyond the evermose.
Offspring OF glory thou vast born
Above the lightning and the storm,
And ere had fed thy natal morn,
A sun burst lit the sky.
Torn from the spaEgled vault above
Baptized in fire-the child OF Joye-
Insignia OF a patriots iove,--
The prize OF chiyalry
Old Sumpter saw that flag unfurled;
A meteor from the zenith hurled -
The wonder of an awe-suuck world -
a pledge by glory given.
And nations gaZed with anxious eyes,
When saw that fiery banner rise,
The splendor of the southern skies
It's constellation seyeD,-
While Freedom raised a wild buZZar,
As one by one each glistening star
Came wheeling in the van OF war,
And made the cluster 'leyen.
In other days that flag has waived
Triumphant DER the true and brave.
Who swore foe should ne er enslaye
Their country and fheir PRIDE -
In other days that naughty crest,
Which now droops hurtless in its rest,
Once, in the furious onset pressed,
Its folds in crimson dyed.
That flag has streamed DER CORY fields
Where squadrons charged and cannon
pealed;
When many heroes life blood sealed
Devotion's nohlest tie -
Above it wreatiied the battle smoke!
Around it. rang the saber's stroke!
While In its vengeful ardor broke
The yictors cheering cry
Flag OF the bravel When other lands.
Shall strive to break expressions bands,
And set people tree -
Well may they seek example here,
And ley on virtues hailowed bier,
The tribute of patriots fear,
And strike for liberty
The noblesi flag that ever tossed
It's folds Ger wars embattied host -
DeYotions pride. or valor's boas.--.
Was Dy rebel borne =
Nor lives Il race beneath Gods sun,
Where freedoms cause was lost--or won---
But crowns some Tell. some Washington
With bays by glory worn.
Yet could some PuritanIc sage
Erase with sacrilgious rage.
Each rebels name FROM honor's page.
Such bigotry were vain -
For patriot zeal, and honest worth.
VIII never die-though crushed to earth.
Truth lives in deathless fame
But wars wild thrilling scenes are passed.
The drums mad beat, the trumpet blast
ResoHnds no mere;
And where along yon mountain food
The camp fires biaZed, and white tents
stood,
The tImid wild fowl seeks its food,
AS wnen OF yore.
No more the warriors eve viii dance,
Or saber gieain-or war-horse prance.
AS DER the charging squadron glanced
That southern cross:
We bore that flag through smoke and dust,
Nor questioned that our cause WAS just
And glory claimed the sacred trust
When all was lost.
Peace reigns to-day. glorious reign;
From lakes to gulf, from peak TO nIain,
Sweet benison from on hight
God bless cur land
God bless cur homes
God guard our heroes hallowed bones
And mere beside these altar stones
We pledge our loyalty