The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-25
4 Song Of southern Heroes.

A book comes to us, much TO our greti-
hcation, from Birmingham. Ala. The
author, Mr.. Orion t. Dozier, NJ. D.. seems
to be his own publisher A portrait OF Dr.
Dozier makes handsome frontispiece.
A head OF admirable proportions holds
itself thrown slightly upward and back
ward in a manner indicative Of virility.
The brow is lowered and inclined to be
corrugated, and the expression Of the eyes
is eighty severe. The nose is straight,
with open and apparently sensitive nostrils;
the mouth firm and framed by mustache
and "goatee" We should say that the doc
tors oravat was fixed creation and that
he did not tie it himself
On the page opposite we have the picture
Of a handsome house, surrounded by a
fence, set of by trees, vines and shrubnery,
and entitled Residence of the Author
II seems to be a very sensible house, as
we'll as a good looking one Our strong
belief IL that there is barn behind, though
Wa cannot see IT, Over the leaf we have a
picture in colors of the flag Of the Southern
Confederaoy and turning still again We
find the title of the volume, A Galaxy OF
Southern Heroes, and Other Poems A
poem of war and heroes may very properly
begin in a gentle key. After smiling skies,
the fury of the storm will seem the greater.
The opening here is full Of most peaceful
impression The first verse of A Galaxy
Of Southern Hcroes' is "a follows.
once more the genial Southern sun
Has called the roses into bloom,
once moro the fragrant tessamlne
LADIES' all the DIR with sweet perfume
Once more the iltilc mating birds
In every bush and tree are seen,
Once more the earth her carpet spreads
OF softest velvet grassy green.
No sound OF war at all as yet. but the
poet feels presently the need that is before
him. He mentions the dove of peace. then
squarely faces his theme. He is conscious
OF its great requirements, and is aware OF
the vehement strings OF his own ambi-
tons In the fourth verse We read
But would TO God my struggling muse
Could break the bonds that bind my soul.
And let my wild. imprisoned thoughts
Like oceans stormy pillows roll.
While so vAinly now attempt
To sing in lofty p@sns grand
That need OF praise TO patriots due
The heroes Of my native land.
II he could express his feelings adequately
and in q manner worthy Of them the result
would be impressive, and, We should think,
disappointing to nobody. In the fifth
verse be specifies
With heavens face for music scroll,
And realms OF space for octave bars.
Ny cefs should be the sun and moon.
Ny music notes the blazing stars.
And. OIL I'd sing With lofty strain
And sweep the g0mut OF the skies
TIL every sleeping patriots soul
Should wake and from his grave arise
But though he should do that, and even
more; though he should nave the cyclones
force, and the flaming lightning for his
tongue, and brain as broad AZ the uni
verse, and a voice 70 tones of thunder
strung-still he would fall short OF the
call made upon him. and there would re-
main much 10 be desired. This is his own
feeling in the matter. How, for instance
under any circumstances, and with ell con-
ceivable equipment. would it be- possible
TO deal adequately with the subject Of the
ninth verse Of the poem3
Then see yon brilliant. nery star.
Proud Robert Toombs-mdjestlc man,
With Wild. tempestuous flaming soul,
Too great for human words TO span.
From out whose rugged. heaving breast,
In raging. seethng tempess rolled.
Consuming fres Of eloquence~
Mount .Etna, be, Of human mould
A hero OF far quieter manners is cele-
brated in verse 20. With less disturbance
OF the wilder emotions, but with great
interest and with entire appreciation,
we read
And yet, oh, yet, with rspturous eyes
To CUBAN Isle bu, turn your gaze.
See, where oppression long has reigned.
A rising star. destined 10 blaze
Eternal on Old Glory. dear.
Joe Wheeler great In peace and war,
Has pluoked from out the Antilles
For freedoms dag another star.
We should consider it a gross neglect
and a positive sin OF omission not to repro
duoe here the first verse Of the poem about