The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-08-04

The following Is MISS 1AuI lhdlA - -
say recently read before the Ladies
Democratic club of Provo and spoken
of in yesterdays Herald:
A nightly river it is rushing swiftly
over it's rocky bed. On the opposite
bank the slender form of woman Is
seen.
When years ago saw her that pure
and lovely brow was crowned Win
laurels; the robes around that superb
form were white and spOtless. Grandly
and smilingly she stood upon those
rocky banks. Her feet were firmly
planted and from her ivory hand out
stretched toward heaven floated BAN
ner as pure and spotless as her vest
ments. Twas she, and only She, whom
the eyes of men beheld. All! then she
did not WOO in vain. Mortals rallied at
her call, and sang her praise when Ger
them waved her banner.
Her name is Patriotism, and those
golden letters on her banner spell her
watch word-Liberty-
How changed the scene To-Day! Gan
it be she-that sad, pale, care-worn
creature whom we now behold? See,
her laurels have been plucked from OH
her brow. Her golden locks are tangled
and her robes are torn and solled.
What is it that she holds with such
tenacious grasp, as her Blended form
sways to and fro? 1t is her banner.
That look of anguish on her face
grows more intense as she sees II
trampled on the muddy bank and
drenched in the filthy waters of the
stream.
In her efforts to retain her precious
symbol she has slipped from her rocky
base and is sinking in the mire. Will
no one come to the rescue?
Since men have SO neglected her,
why do they wish to rob her of her
banner?
IT'S very simple. Years ago
when they were children story was
told them by their grandsires. Twas
thistle name engraven on that ban
ner was the key to individual happi-
ness and national prosperity.
But when the flag had ceased to
wave, it's watchwOrd was no longer
seen. Yet each one much desired that
he might behold it. How was it to be
accomplished?
A way Though false 'was found.
Each man sought to steal letter for
himself, and from this single letter
guess the glorious word. Alas, how
vain,
A youth one day was floating down
the stream. His arm was strong, his
heart was light, and everything in life
seemed fair. He passed neglected
IdITlOllSIl, banner, ana
from it plucked the letter IL"
He pondered much and then he said:
THE word, 1 know it now. IT'S
luxury No thought of liberty had
dawned upon that gay young mind. So
luxury was the watchword of his
life. But when the frost of age had
robbed our youth of all his charms, he
sadly sighed and said: Il was mis-
taken. Luxury brings not happiness
the letter on the wayside for some fell
low man to find who may perchance
discover what the watchword is"
Another youth went sailing down the
stream. The letter which he severed
from its snowy sheet was Il" With
a ripping laugh to the winds he cried:
NO labor for me, but the happy idler
I'll be-" Away dashed the frail canoe
and ''idleness" was the ensign it bore.
The leisure of one meant the slavery
of another, and the black race from
Africa's sandy shore received the lash
of the idler's whip. Did this bring
happiness? Oh no. The result was
the same. The letter ''T' was dropped
by the wayside for a future age to
see.
A mighty warship rushed wildly
down the river Upon her deck there
stood man of soldiers mien. His
arms were folded on his breast. Sor-
row was stamped upon his brow. But
as fair Patriotism came in view. a
flush of transient light and Gov
passed Ger his face. "Couragei NV
braves he said, ''harken unto yonder
maiden, relieve her of her burdens and
rally TO her standard once again" He
reached his arm toward the flag. Then
drew it back. His hand unfolded and
his eyes beheld the letter 'sB.'' The
smile had passed away. Deepest
gloom spread over his countenance
word was trembling on his lips
That word was blood" Yes bic
countrys blood was to be spilled
Would that bring individual happiness
and national prosperity? The means
ana cries of dying soldiers, the sorrow
or the mourners, could not be called
JOY No, that could not have been
the word upon the banner The letter
b was cast, scarlet landmark. on
the bank of the stream.
At length the ship returned. AS once
more it passed the maiden with her
banner, another letter was torn away.
1t was .'E, and the word it represent
ted was equality All the sadness
slave, no master now, but each a man.
By blood the waters of that stream
were purified. Patriotism once more
stood upon her rocky base. The flag
was lowered still, but purer one had
waited brighter hopes Ger all the
land. Fen while the letter "E" was
dropped upon tie wayside.
Another ship sailed majestically
along. In grandeur, wealth and beauty
none had ever excelled. The oars
were made Of gold and dipped the
waves to most melodious music The
maStS were gorgeous and waited per
tune in the air. Beneath the purple
reached beautiful women be-
iecked with costly jewels.
AT the side of this gorgeous barge
fastened, with iron chains and trying
to keep pace with her is q, small. frail |
canoe. There is nothing here to be- |
oxen beauty, wealth or grandeur. |
over its edge peer the faces of gaunt- !