Alida; or, Miscellaneous Sketches of Incidents During the Late American War.

by Frank V. Webster

  CHAPTER V.

  O, who that sighs to join the scenes of war? If heaven-born pity in thy bosom glow, Reject the impurpled wreath; the laurel crown Can flourish only in the scenes of wo.

  [_NY Weekly_: Military Fame, stz. 1, 2:

  O Thou that sigh'st to join the scenes of war, And gain the glories of the martial train; Reflect what woes surround the trophied car, What crimson tints the wish'd-for circlet stain.

  If tender sympathy be not unknown, If heaven-born mercy in thy bosom glow, Reject the impurpl'd wreath, the laurel crown Can flourish only in the scenes of woe.]

  At length it became the unhappy fate of America to be a second timeinvolved in a war with Great Britain. "In a manifesto of the president,the reasons of the war were stated to be the impressment of Americanseamen, by the British; the blockade of the enemy's ports, supported byno adequate force; in consequence of which the American commerce hadbeen plundered in every sea; and the British orders in council."

  [_Interesting Events_: Second War (quoting "Grimshaw's Hist. U. States"):

  In the Manifesto of the President, the reasons of the war were stated to be "the impressment of American seamen by the British; the blockade of her enemies, supported by no adequate force, in consequence of which the American commerce had been plundered in every sea; and the British orders in council."]

  The declaration of war was a source of unavoidable regret to the goodand wise president,* which affected his mind with feelings approachingto melancholy. No one possessed qualities more inclined to peace, and awish to settle all affairs of state in a pacific manner, more than hedid, if it were possible, and it could have been done withoutsacrificing all the dearest rights and interests of the people; andnothing but these repeated persuasions in his mind, founded on theprinciples of justice and honour, caused him at length to be willing toyield to the stern necessity of deciding the existing differences bycombat.

  [* James Madison.]

  [_Lives of Signers_: Morris of New York:

  The object sought and desired from the deliberations of that assembly, was a settlement in a pacific manner, of all the existing difficulties....]

  He possessed the qualities of a statesman in an eminent degree;he had well reflected on what he considered as inevitable. He was wellversed in political science, and now only saw the realization ofanticipated events, of which there had been sufficient warning. Althoughhe had to contend with innumerable difficulties, having once formed hisopinion of what was to be done, his patriotism was undeviating, and hisintegrity inflexible.

  [_Lives of Signers_: Floyd of New York:

  Having once formed his opinions, he set himself about accomplishing his purposes.... His patriotism was undeviating; his integrity inflexible....]

  Since his country was again brought to a lamentable destiny, he nowbecame ardently active in its cause, and was prepared to carry to thefull extent such measures of defence and resistance as should benecessary to repel every invasion of the just rights and privileges ofthe Americans that they had long been in possession of since theirdear-bought independence, and could not therefore be willing to submitto anything like oppression, even from the mother country.

  This national calamity, that seemed to awaken feelings of hilarity tosome few among the multitude, but those of the deepest regret to so manyothers, where the parties must at length become personally engaged andanimated against each other with an enthusiastic ardour, and with thehope to signalize themselves by their bravery--where the impetuosity ofyouth and the experience of age are called forth in open field toexecute the decided discussions of government, and to engage withpatriotic zeal in the common defence of their just rights and liberties;impelled with ambitious impulse to enlist themselves under the proudbanners of their country, while the sound of martial music strikes afeeling of enthusiasm and enterprise to the bosom of the patriot.

  [_NY Weekly_: On War:

  On the first appearance of this dreadful and destructive calamity, the parties more particularly and personally engaged, are animated with an enthusiastic ardour, to have an opportunity of signalizing themselves in it. It is then that the impetuosity of youth, the fervour, the experience, the sapience, of old age, are called forth in open field, to put in force the discussions of the cabinet, and to engage with real zeal in the cause of their country; it is then that every manly breast feels a warlike impulse thrilling the whole frame! The sound of drums, the roaring of cannon, the clangor of every species of martial music, rise figuratively within us....]

  Thus, in the name and cause of honour, the youth, generous and brave,with all those who are compelled to take arms, sally forth with theambitious hope to bear down at once all contending opposition, and givethemselves no time to reflect on the many disconsolate ones they leavebehind them, that, however deeply concerned, can neither engage orassist in the shocking contest; while they go forward hastily to meetthe foe, and hosts are advancing to dispute with them the victory, andthey can indulge no thought concerning those who, when the battle isover, may have to lament the loss of a father, brother, or some otherdear friend, and who mournfully await the decisive tidings, whichperhaps is to render them for ever disconsolate; while they remain aprey to that incessant anguish which naturally awaits those who havelost, in this manner, their dearest friends and relations.

  [_NY Weekly_: On War:

  we sally forth, and bear down all mortal opposition. We scarcely, in our thoughts, survey the disconsolate many we left behind; who, though concerned, are not engaged, in the murderous contest. Flushed with the hopes of suspended victory, the insignia of triumph hanging doubtful over our heads, whole hosts advancing to dispute with us our martial prowess, we indulge no thoughts about those who lament the loss of a father, a child, a husband, a brother, or a friend.

  Stunned with the fatal tidings, which mournfully announce the death of an affectionate father, behold the wretched family, the disconsolate.... A prey to that incessant grief which naturally accompanies those to whom the fatal loss happens, the worthy sire, and the tender matron, lament the eternal exit of their ill-fated son....]

  Thick clouds were darkly pending Above the battle fray, And foemen were contending For the fortune of the day.

  And high in air the banner bright, Waving o'er land and sea, The potent symbol of their might, The emblem of the free.

  Brave hearts that stood amid the storm That burst in fury round; With many a stern and manly form, Sunk powerless to the ground.

  Deep gloom had settled round them, And darkness veil'd the sky, When Freedom, with her starry train, Descended from on high.

  When, at her bidding, lo, a chief Amid the throng appear'd; When, the goddess halted by his side, And thus his spirits cheer'd:

  "Oh, let not care oppress thee, But banish far thy fears, For, in blessing, I will bless thee, And will wipe away thy tears;

  "And a banner thou shalt still retain, And a hand to lead the brave To glory and to victory, Or to the hero's grave."

  Then fear not, honoured chieftain, For yet again shall be, Your flag shall wave o'er every land, And float on every sea.

  What though in foreign clime it waves, Careering on the wind, Whatever shore the ocean laves, A due respect will find.

  And the thunders of your ships of war Along the deep shall roll, While the canvas of your merchantmen Shall sweep from pole to pole.

  "And now, oh gallant chief," she cried, "Hold fast the glorious prize; The flag with blue and crimson dyed, And stars that gemmed the skies,

  "Have left their native spheres to shed Their radiance o'er the field; Then while it waves above your head, To the foeman never yield.

  "Bright forms shall hover o'er thee In the midst of war's alarms; And in triumph shall restore thee To a nation's waiting arms.

  "
Then on to Freedom's stormy height, Go forth in valour and in might, And bear aloft this emblem bright, Amid the battle fray."

  Now around their chief they rally, And with zeal their bosoms glow; While the hoarse cannon bellows forth Defiance to the foe.

  The battle rages loudly, A dreadful carnage flows; When the messenger of victory The clarion trumpet blows.

  Now clap your wings, oh Liberty, And upward take your flight; And let the gladsome tidings ring Throughout the realms of light.

  And bid your eagle sound her cry, Wide o'er the land and sea; For patriot arms have triumphed, And the nation still is free.

  Once more the song of Victory Shall spread the earth around, And the freemen on a thousand hills Re-echo back the sound.

  And a banner long shall wave on high, And long your children stand, United, with a sacred tie, To guard their native land.

  [[A song called "Thick Clouds Were Darkly Pending" was popular in the Civil War years, but has not been located.]]