Year: 1861

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The Test of Female Heroisns.
In the solemn hour of our country's
danger, it is not alone the rugged sex
which has to make sacrifices The citi-
zen soldier shows his devotion to his
country by taking up arms for its de-
fence, but the women have high and
noble duty to perform in stimulating us
aud saactifying us, as it were, for the per-
formsnes Of that duty. The test Of pat
riotism, which sewers husband from wife
and SON from mother, is, we know, a Sc
we're one; but where is .ho woman, who,
at time when the liberty which has ele-
vsted her to the highest place of respect,
and the bulwarlS Of the law which has
protected her person from every violence,
are alike threatened, by a worse than for
eiga enemy laundering at the very por-
tails Of our homes, would hesitate to bid
husband or father, son OF brother, go
forth to battle with her blessing and
armed fop tho contest with her approving
and encouraging smile? To the young
wife, we would say, better far is widow
hood Of honor than lifelong union with
craven who would not defend his home;
glorious the solemn garb which denotes
your bereavement, when you can pay
visits to the grave of your dead warrior
husband and over it mingle your tears in
common with those Of the mourning
friends of cur country. Now, women Of
America, is the time for lofty patriotism
and generous self-abnegatfon; now is the
trying season for you to exhibit that sub
lime fortitede for which yon have been
distinguished in AN the past. Give up
your Jewels freely to your country, and
give them With the holy balm of your
blessing. Wives and mothers of Ken
tucky, violence is threatening you; rapine
hoyers darkling in tho distance, and oil
the horrors of a civil war arc impending
over you. To save your lives, and, dearer
far, your honors, it is necessary that your
husbands and sons should arm aRd go out
to meet tho foe. Cheer them in this try
ing hour, let no unnecessary pang be add
ed to the parting which the stern reality
of the times demands. Garland your
loved ones with your farewell kisses,
throw the shield of your prayer around
them; nerve their arms when they give
you their last embrace by saying to them;
$50 whore dsty calls and God be with
you," and trust to the Almighty Ruler of
the universe to restore them safely when
white robsd peace again spreads her an
gel wings over the land. AS the knight
Of old received his spuss from his lady
love and wore her colors in bis helm
swearing TO carry them in the thickest Of
the foe, so, in these happier days Of Chris
tianizing influences, let the mothers
blessing be invoked upon his head and
the wife's animating kiss nerve his heart
for deeds Of noblest daring, and, by Gods
blessing, conquer we must, for our cause
it is Just" In the name of heaven let
no wife's fears upnerve the soldiers arm
and no mothers alarm spread panic to
the bosom Of hor warrior boy. Bid them
go aud God speed Bid them remember
their homes, and strike the foe boldly but
mercifully in the remembrance that they
too have perhaps loved ones in some dis
tant place, awaiting their return. Let
them fight this war as Christian soldiers,
" still as the breeze" when mercy pleads,
but " dreadful as the storm" when their
avcnging blows fall like hail upon the
foe. Mothers aud wives, in the holy
sanctity Of your homes, let your prayers
ascend to the throne above for the pro-
lection of your loved ones; but, when the
hour of parting comes, remember the no.
be woman who ran hor arm within the
bolt of door to serve as bar TO aid
the escape of her honoscd lord, and, tho
the pressure be hard and agonizing, bear
it in the spirit of martyrs, and, If a tear
should dim the eye, let it be illumined by
smile Of hope.-Loaispille Journal.