The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1898-01-13

age, tells that the cavaliers roame ed
within the fancy gardens. History in
Rll her cruel and proud narrations
speaks in glowing euphemy the eulogies
of her fallen princes. At the dawn of
modern history, this secret of people
rushed with the tide of discovery to
the land that lay beyond the mighty
oceans perils, to found them new en-
pires and republics. The guiding
helmsman of the discoverer's vessel
was animated by cavalier blood and
brains. This great and powerful race
was the central factor in populating
the sunny and balmy south. Has the
reader ever for once paused amid the
cares of his fanciful imaR Rination to ad-
mire the situation and history of this
garden spot of the American continent?
Nowhere can be found comparison to
this Eden of the new world. With the
restless waves of the Atlantic, as they
surge and sweep to and fro, then break
harmless upon the pebbled beaches, to
carry the gentle breath of the Gulf
stream to refresh her towering palms
and giant oaks. With the peaceful
tides of the great Gulf to whisper to
the blushing flowers that bloom on the
wide expanse of the everglades, peace
eternal. With the mighty volume of
the "Father of Streams, which springs
from the minute and moss strewn lake
Itasca, rushing and leaping over every
fall until its bosom swells with anger,
then as the wrath of jupiter sweeps
onward in its course, turning the wheels
of industry and supplying the cities
teeming millions. Onward, onward,
unchecked, it speeds its way to the
south, hurrying past bluff and through
canyons till it reaches the western
borders of this sacred retreat, filing
the atmosphere with life s purest germs.
The broad and fertile plains that stretch
from the rock-riven banks of the Mis-
sissippi across the great mountain
ranges to the tide washed strands of the
restless Atlantic, are carpeted, as the
verdure of the meadows in June. The
harvesting season of the willing farmer
is welcomed as the dawn of the infant
year. Here energy reigns as monarch,
Incidence is forever banished. The
vineyards of this chosen spot yield the
most luscious fruitage; the fields pro-
duce the ripe and golden grain that
flow from plenty's horn. How safe and
secure could have the Imagination of
Sir Thomas More, folded its weary
pinions, lashed by fatigue and disap-
pointment, and sweetly repose in the
shadows of the perfections reached by
this Utopian Isle. The south is not
without history, as many claim.
Every section of this division is rich in
events of historic value. Her people
sprang from the most, powerful and
generous race known in the worlds
history. The cavaliers have played on
the stage of historic events, since the
presence of Divinity's hand in shaping
the destiny Of nation and people. In
the middle ages they stormed the cities
of their most hostile enemy. They
we're seigers and beseigers.
In the conquest of Grenada, we read
the stories of their loyalty. The
cavaliers were the gaudy robed cohorts
of the Spanish king; they were the
trusty troopers of the Moorish king,
Boabdil. What a picture Of loyalty,
each to their leader When the con-
quering arms of King Ferdinand, sue
ceeded in driving the Moorish Leader
and his followers from their palatial
garrison, the Alhambra, the cavaliers
of King Ferdinand entered triumphant,
those of Boobdil departed in silence.
This is but one among many of suchin-
stances which have befallen this peo-
pie. Follow them across the water and
see if they are not people full of
energy. pluck and push. Follow their
sanguinary descendants and ascertain
for yourself whether or not they have
wrought large influence in this age,
in science, art and literature.
We have slightly traced the history
of her people; now let us look with re-
prospective glances to the history of the
south. First, the earlier days of this
section of the colonies, and before the
colonies were recognized as such, were
enriched with traditional legacies
With the morn of discovery came the
seeks for refuge to hide their ambition
in the wilderness of unborn achieve
ments, or to sail upon new seas undis
turbed, save by the untamed winds o
the west. 1t was upon southern soil
or off the southern coast father-thaI
the banner of progress march frs
floated upon the equatorial breezes o
the new world. Westward the CLEAN
(To BE CoNTINUED).