The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-02-26

OF the British conqueror would have
proven scarce less than omnlpOtent
had not Morgan's rifiemen from the
valleys OF Virginia and the peerless
commander of Mount Vernon APP
peared on the plains Of Boston. You
may follow the tracks of the CONT
ncntals al Saratoga. Princeton, Ger
mantown aud Valley Forge by The
blood aud graves ofsouthern men who
died on northern soil, far away from
their homes, answering the question
with their lives-"Did the South love
the Union? ?"
Southern brain gave to the world
the Declaration of Independence" and
convinced The idea of uniting num-
Der ofindependent soyereiguties under
one great shield Of common govern
meut. Virginia stretched the boun-
darics of the United States from the
Allegheny mountains to the Missisip-
ri river. Thomas jefferson added the
great territory extending from the
Gulf of Mexico on the south to
Oregon on the north and to The Rocky
Mountains gate on the west. Gen.
Sam Houston sprang from the soil of
that very country which now holds
the graves of Lee and jackson, won
the battle of Sam Jacinto and achieved
Texan independence.
Southern arms gave dignity 10 the
flag of the United States in the war of
1912, and made the "stars aud stripes"
10 command fitting respect in whatever
land, or whatever waters it CHANGED to
be upfurled. The chair of supreme
court for sixty-two years was most
admirably filled from the ranks OF
southern craftsmanship; the wisdom
of southern principles for over half a
century dictated the affairs OF our
nation, but, at last, when obliged TO
icld 10 the all absorbing demand OF
the northern cry for generalization, she
resigned, never leaving one strain or
Que spot TO detract from the glorious
ensign of her honor.
Southern manhood has ever stood
as the noblest emblem aud fairest type
of chivalry. would not compare for
you with any purpose of exciting the
smallest degree of prejudice the great
track of desolation left by "Sherman's
march 10 the sea-" bleeding Columbia
Of South Carolina, where fair women
sweet mothers, aud innocent babes
were rushed from blazing homes into
the streets by Sherman's soldiers, rob.
bed of their Jewels, their clothing, and
left with no protection from the sor.
rows save the twinkliDg guards of the
sky. l would not compare these
things with that sentiment voiced by
Col. Asbby, the dashing young cavalry
officer, aud echoed by every southern
heart, when told by a northern lady
that lie was al liberty TO search bel
baggage, replied: "Southern gentle.
men don't make war on northern
ladies'"
| When God blessed Americans III
the victory of Yorktown, every colon,
was an independent government, ant
every citizen sovereign; but when tht
constitution as compact between thu
states was adopted 10 secure that in
creased strength, happiness and tran
guilty always found in the union o
forces ; there began 10 grow up in th'
northern states a sweeping tendenc!
toward centralizaiion-to dwarf tb'
states so requisite 10 the liberty Of til,
American people, aud lodge th,
power in the central government
The Federal government was fast be
coming all empire beyond which lie
despotism. However great southern
people thought to be the calamity o
secession, there was one greater-sub
mission TO government with unlimi
Ted powers. This meant nothin!
other than the surrendering of thos
rights won by their fathers in.thc wa
of the. revolution. state Sovereignty
freedom and independence, which
! were left 10 them as an inheritance 1,
their posterity forever.
i Without liberty, virtue declines
! against this the South fought, and how
well she sustained her part, lei histor,
relate. Southern yalor has been
subject of supreme admiration in ever,
land. The Federal government
!, though weak in right, was strong il
power, for it was supported by th,
, smighty Vandals" of the north; We
II the folding grasp OF its mighty arm
was looseued by the terrific revolts o
!. southern courage, and the dignity sus
tanned BY Gen. Lee in his surrender /,
Gen. Grant.
II The cause which was lost at AID
! pomaiiox was not the Fcdcrativc ide,
J upon which American free insiitu