Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 26.djvu/210

 200 Southern Historical Society Papers.

dungeon, and the terms of peace, proclaimed by a Southern-born President, in prosecutions for "treason," disfranchisement, and con- fiscation. Then came the temptation to war, forever, in the hedges, by-ways and swamps, " until death should better him." There came the calm voice of Lee " The South requires her sons more now than at any period in her history. I have no thought of abandoning her, unless compelled to do so." The weary soldier put aside his thought of vengeance and trudged on home. He found the slave his political master, his home in ruins and his fields in weeds and waste. There was not seed enough to plant a crop, nor work animals enough for the plough. He saw famine kill what war had spared, and strangers sit in judgment seats, while bayonets made law. He was met and cheered by women, and opposing courage and fortitude to oppression and folly, he despised despair, and taught the world ' ' how sublime it is to suffer and grow strong. ' '

PICTURE OF THIS SOLDIER.

Would that I could draw a picture of this soldier, ' ' as he lived moved and had his being."

Home was his ideal, and wife, mother and sister were his " holy of holies." They planted, deep in his bosom, the instinct that man- hood required he should yield to other women, the respect and def- erence he demanded for those about his hearthstone. He loved his community; for the hospitality of his roof, took in his community, and good offices of neighbors made them a part of every home.

He was taught respect for authority. The institutions and so- cial customs among which he was reared brought him into association with those he acknowledged as his "betters," and those who ac- knowledged him to be their superior. He was thus trained both to obey and command. He came upon the stage at a time of acute political discussion, when not every man esteemed himself a states- man, and followed almost blindly, as his father did before him, some great leader who appeared to him the most fit exponent of his thoughts, and this habit of peace followed him in war.

When he entered the army, his company was the representative of the community, and he of his home. They were with him every- where on the march, bivouac, and battle line. His home and com- munity watched his doing and shared his trials. He would as soon have brought disgrace on his own home, or the little village where he expected to return, as to sully his own name, or that of the or- ganization to which he belonged, by rapine, insubordination or any