Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 17.djvu/406

 398 Southern Historical Society Papers.

right which that State explicitly affirmed by legislative resolution as late as 1845.

The North was strong and resolute, and how terribly in earnest was the South may be gauged by the simple fact that five millions of people, destitute of arms and arsenals, shut ofT from the outer world by a rigorous blockade, ringed around by steel and fire, took twenty- two millions by the throat— d people rich in all appliances of war, with ports wide open, and Europe pouring in recruits — took twenty- two millions by the throat and for four long years shook them with such vehement fierceness that twice we came within an ace of wrest- ling from them an honorable peace.

We fought as ever fights the freemen of Anglo-Saxon strain, and in good faith we have accepted the stern arbitrament of the sword as settling once and forever the /r^i^/xVa/ interpretation of the Constitu-. tion.

Such acceptance is all that honorable men can yield, and all that brave men should ask.

But when the " cheap patriot" of the press or of the rostrum, in- solent by reason of success won by others, goes still further and de- mands that we shall now confess the ** unrighteousness " of our con- tention, his must, indeed, be a dastard's heart who would thus brand himself a traitor, or offer any craven apology for his fealty to a cause which is forever ** strong with the strength of truth and immortal with the immortality of right."

Peace has come— God give His blessing

On the fact and on the name ; The South speaks no invective,

And she writes no word of blame — But we call all men to witness

That we stand up without shame.

Nay ! send it forth to all the world

That we stand up here with pride — With love for living comrades.

And with praise for those who died — And in this manly frame of mind

Till death we will abide.

God and our consciences alone

Give measure of right and wrong — The race may fall unto swift

And the battle to the strong — But the Truth shall shine in history

And blossom into song.