South Carolina.
Reading edition
1719. Colonial Revolution. 1763. Colonial History--Progress, 1776. American Revolution. 1812-15. Second War with Great Britain 1830-32. Nullification for State Rights. 1835-40. Florida War. 1847. Mexican War--Palmetto Regiment. 1860-61. Secession, and Third War for Independence.
My brave old Country! I have watched thee long Still ever first to rise against the wrong; To check the usurper in his giant stride, And brave his terrors and abase his pride; Foresee the insidious danger ere it rise, And warn the heedless and inform the wise; Scorning the lure, the bribe, the selfish game, Which, through the office, still becomes the shame; Thou stood'st aloof--superior to the fate That would have wrecked thy freedom as a State. In vain the despot's threat, his cunning lure; Too proud thy spirit, and thy heart too pure; Thou hadst no quest but freedom, and to be In conscience well-assured, and people free. The statesman's lore was thine, the patriot's aim, These kept thee virtuous, and preserved thy fame; The wisdom still for council, the brave voice, That thrills a people till they all rejoice. These were thy birthrights; and two centuries pass'd, As, at the first, still find thee at the last; Supreme in council, resolute in will, Pure in thy purpose--independent still!
The great good counsels, the examples brave, Won from the past, not buried in its grave, Still warm your soul with courage--still impar Wisdom to virtue, valor to the heart! Still first to check th' encroachment--to declare "Thus far! no further, shall the assailant dare;" Thou keep'st thy ermine white, thy State secure, Thy fortunes prosperous, and thy freedom sure; No glozing art deceives thee to thy bane; The tempter and the usurper strive in vain! Thy spear's first touch unfolds the fiendish form, And first, with fearless breast, thou meet'st the storm; Though hosts assail thee, thou thyself a host, Prepar'st to meet the invader on the coast: Thy generous sons contending which shall be First in the phalanx, gathering by the sea; No dastard fear appals them, as they teach How best to hurl the bolt, or man the breach!
Great Soul in little frame!--the hope of man Exults, when such as thou art in the van! Unshaken, unbeguiled, unslaved, unbought, Thy fame shall brighten with each battle fought; True to the examples of the past, thou'lt be, For the long future, best security.
Charleston Mercury.
Gossypium.