The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1898-01-13
SILENT
RECORDS,
Or Gleanings From South
ern History.
BY Haskell H. DYER.

by HAShlED ii, DYER,
How unfortunate for the race of man
that the story and records of his earliest
beginnings are shrouded in mantles of
darkest myth. If some power of in
visible might could push aside the
massive folds of mythologys curtains,
perhaps man then could glance with
peering eyes through the avenues of
hidden wealth, since demolished by
ages tread, and while yet the darken-
ing vail is stayed by the imaginary
arm; see the closed volumes of the
worlds giant narratives placed beyond
the touch of human fingers and hidden
from rational vision. Among the many
and unbidden volumes that adorn the
gilded recesses of this mythic vatican,
are, perhaps, the annals of some vast
empire, whose existence and destruc-
ton was created before the dawn of
authentic beginning. Again the con-
quests triumphant and defeats of bitter
ness ofsome worshipped warrior whose
star of action eclipsed that of an Alex
lnder or Cyrus, or amid the dust
laden treasures are the manuscripts
ased by some eloquent master when
his voice swayed the multitude of Gods
These scrolls remain Voiceless and un-
known to man, while perchance like
as to their author, who silently repose
in the midst of the catacombs of the
lost arts.
AS our dreaming eyes wonder more
remotely alSng the sacred vista's walls,
we see hanging, lutte and harp sound
less, the silvery chords once vibrating
in harmony when awoke by the skilled
musician, now are bronzed with the
silence of destinys seal. Just why
you are not allowed to pass within and
beyond the limits concealed by this
gigantic curtain, you dare not ask, for
tate has forever stamped upon the lips
of this guardian Goddess the seal of
eternal silence. Let no mortal and
rational creature trespass upon the
pathways Of obliyion's garden. Per-
NIT man to view the richness of thy
storage, butfrom the protected entrance,
this and nothing more. Why? This
flashes through the human biain like
the wrath of Jahovoh through the storm
troubled sky. The trail of reason
cleaved through the darkest recesses of
the brain, is like the path of the blaz-
ing meteor on its ramble among the
stars.
Supposition speaks, that there is
somewhere in this unseen ruling a
wise, though perhaps not fair and just
revelation of the deeds and history of O
fallen or victorious people. Yet the
forces that still control this sought
concealment, may have decreed long
since that these gilded pages are toe
rich in events for the giants of this era;
md the sweetness of the harps strains
are too much for the modern orpheans.
And again a warning voice softly MUIR
murs, that the proud historians of the
sealed parchments were enticed by the
tavors of the Gods to write in boldness
the history of the proud and naughty,
to pass unnoticed the achievements ot
the less fortunate, though honest, brave
and heroic. Prejudice has swayed thu
stylus, it hath governed the acumen Of
the most powerful. Then l say, il
these be true, let the sacred and silent
volumes sleep on in dreamless slumber'
until time sufficient in power is mighty
enough to transform them again into
Iifeless clay.
While men are unfortunate in these
lilemmas, on the contrary, how fortu
nate. Records lost are sometimes sur
passed by records known or given to III
by tradition. What would the palmy
laws of Rome or Athens amounted to i
not for the voice of tradition in it,
many wonderful and enchanting storie
of these kingly cities of power? Wher
would you find the admirable anC
marvellous records of the proud ant
aristocratic Spsniards, but in TIN
Legends of Spain? What nation o
people, who today sway the scepter o
power and influence, do not delight IL
| the nobilities OF the heroes and heroine
found in traditions annals? Ever.
race and division of the human famil,
has given birth to some knightly an
nomadic creature to search for con
quests; treasures hidden beneath tn
cerulean deep; fame dazzling upon tn
unsheathed blade, gold or some price
less and wonderous gift. In the frs
hours of Greece's youth her chose
race went in quest of the golden fleece
The same proud and opuleut fsmil
sent forth Jason in search of the Hol
Grail. OF all the grand divisions {
Adam e descent, that of the cavaliers az
the most widely known for their bol
and wandering giants. From the Grad
spot Of this fair family to this spler
did era, the footprints Of her crusader
are found along the highways of events
The story of their conquests for glory
sake is written in all tongues. The
, surviving landmarks are found, ,almo
from zone to zone. The soft and gel