[354] flowed a rich libation to our country's cause—our bards have sung.
But not revenge nor hate has been their theme. They tell of honor, freedom, love of home; and of the motives which inspired the heart and nerved the patriot's arm to strike for country and for God.
They tell of him who heeded not ambition's call, and spurned the rank a patriot could not wear. Of Lee, the peerless, who made duty's star his guide through life to an immortal fame. They tell how Stonewall Jackson's star arose a blazing meteor in the track of war, and dying, left a radiance which will shine when other stars have sunk from human sight.
And still of others they have sung. Of generals high in rank, who wore the honors they had won on many a field with credit to themselves, their country, and their race.
