A National song.
An appropriate national song for the Southern Confederacy appears to be one of the mooted questions of the present exciting crisis. Plenty of patriotic poetry can be obtained, but a purely American melody, one that will take with the masses, is hard to be found. The popular old ballad of “The minstrel's return,” composed by an American--and a Southerner, too — seems to be highly appropriate to the patriots of the South. Years ago it was quite as popular as the negro tune of “Dixie” is at the present day; and the composer, who is a resident professor of music of Richmond, received many compliments for his happy conception. A correspondent has sent us the following adaptation, and expresses a hope that it may be taken up by the singers among our brave volunteers, and also by lady vocalists. Should the people adopt it, it will become our national anthem:--
