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Dixie Book of Days

<h2>March</h2> I hear the bluebird’s quaint soliloquy,— A hesitating note upon the breeze, Blown faintly from the tops of distant trees, As though he were not sure that Spring is nigh, But fed his hopes with bursts of melody. I would I had a spirit-harp to seize The bolder tenor of his rhapsodies When apple-blossoms swing against the sky. On every dark or blust’ring wintry day That airy harp the bluebird’s lilt should play; And as I held my sighs and paused to hear, The wand’ring message, with its full-fed cheer And ripe contentment, to my life should bring The essence and fruition of the Spring. Danske Dandridge    [Pg 62] <big>March First</big> In the deep heart of every forest tree The blood is all aglee, And there’s a look about the leafless bowers As if they dreamed of flowers. Henry Timrod     <big>March Second</big> At a garden party in Washington not long ago a Justice of the Supreme Court said in response to some question I put: “It would take the pen of a Zola to describe reconstruction in Louisiana. It is so dark a chapter in our national history. I do not like to think of it. A Zola might base a great novel on that life and death struggle between politicians and races in the land of cotton and sugar plantations, the swamps and bayous of the mighty Mississippi, where the Carpet-Bag Government had a standing army, of blacks, chiefly, and a navy of warships going up and down waterways.” Myrta Lockett Avary   Reconstruction Act put into effect in Louisiana, 1866 Texas declares itself independent, 1836    [Pg 63] <big>March Third</big> Women, the most refined, the noblest and best cultured in the land, left their homes, took up their residences adjacent to hospitals and became Florence Nightingales, daughters of the Red Cross, for all who needed care or comfort. It is reproachfully said by alien writers that the Southern women are more “unreconstructed rebels” than the men. It is certainly true that they did as much as the men in winning the battles, and they are now foremost in building monuments and preserving the records of immortal deeds. J. L. M. Curry   First general convention of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, at Nashville, 1895    [Pg 64] <big>March Fourth</big> Stephens’ bodily infirmity did not sour his temper. On the contrary, it developed his capacity for human sympathy and strengthened his desire to help others to reach the happiness he seemed unable to secure for himself. After prosperity came to him, his works of philanthropy were constant and countless. He was lavish of hospitality and gave to all who asked such pity and sympathy as only a tried and travailing spirit could feel. Louis Pendleton   Alexander H. Stephens dies, 1883     <big>March Fifth</big> From childhood I have nursed a faith In bluebirds’ songs and winds of Spring; They tell me after frost and death There comes a time of blossoming; And after snow and cutting sleet, The cold, stern mood of Nature yields To tender warmth, when bare pink feet Of children press her greening fields. James Maurice Thompson    [Pg 65] <big>March Sixth</big> It is the spirit of the Alamo that moved above the Texas soldiers as they charged like demigods through a thousand battlefields, and it is the spirit of the Alamo that whispers from their graves held in every State of the Union, ennobling their dust, their soil, that was crimson with their blood. Henry W. Grady   Fall of the Alamo, 1836     <big>March Seventh</big> The opening of the University of Virginia was an event of prime importance for the higher education in the whole country, and really marks a new era. In the South this university completely dominated the situation down to the war and for some time afterwards, being the model for most that was best in the colleges everywhere, setting the standards to which they aspired, and being the source of constant stimulus and inspiration. Charles F. Smith (University of Wisconsin)   University of Virginia opened, 1825    [Pg 66] <big>March Eighth</big> BROOKE’S “VIRGINIA,” THE FIRST OF IRONCLADS; 10 GUNS VERSUS 268 ... The Virginia, that iron diadem of the South, whose thunders in Hampton Roads consumed the Cumberland, overcame the Congress, put to flight the Federal Navy, and achieved a victory, the novelty and grandeur of which convulsed the maritime nations of the world. Charles Colcock Jones, Jr.   Confederate Tribute to the Commander and Men of the Cumberland: “No ship was ever better handled, or more bravely fought.” Virginius Newton, C. S. N.   On Boarding the Congress: Confusion, death, and pitiable suffering reigned supreme; and the horrors of war quenched the passion and enmity of months. Virginius Newton, C. S. N.   Confederate Tribute to the Commanders of the Minnesota, St. Lawrence, and Roanoke, which vessels ran aground in flight from the terrible Virginia: I take occasion to say that their character as officers of skill, experience, and bravery was well established at the time, and suffered no diminution then or thereafter. Virginius Newton, C. S. N.   Battle between the “Virginia” (“Merrimac”) and Federal men-of-war, 1862    [Pg 67] <big>March Ninth</big> BROOKE The men who manned the Monitor made a grand fight, and her commander upheld the best traditions of the American navy; but history must bear witness to the fact that, if not overmatched or defeated, she at least withdrew to shallow water, where the Virginia could not follow her; and later, under the guns of Ft. Monroe, she declined the subsequent battle challenges of the refitted Virginia. All honor to Capt. Worden and the Virginia-inspired invention of the Swede; but “America’s glory for Americans.” Let all Americans honor the name of JOHN MERCER BROOKE, the inventor and designer of the first armored war vessel of the world.—Ed.   Battle between the “Virginia” and the “Monitor,” 1862     <big>March Tenth</big> AN AFTERTHOUGHT “Say, Judge, ain’t you the same man that told us before the war that we could whip the Yankees with pop-guns?” “Yes,” replied the stump-orator, with great presence of mind, “and we could, but, confound ’em, they wouldn’t fight us that way.”    [Pg 68] <big>March Eleventh</big> TWO VIEWS OF VIRGINIA (The latter is taken from a witty parody on the original poem. Presented to a Virginia girl, it was indignantly tossed into the wastebasket. Later, however, she copied it and sent it around for the amusement of many—in the family!) I. The days are never quite so long As in Virginia; Nor quite so filled with happy song As in Virginia; And when my time has come to die Just take me back and let me lie Close where the James goes rolling by, Down in Virginia. II. Nowhere such storms obscure the sun As in Virginia; Nowhere so slow the railroads run, As in Virginia; And when my time has come to go Just take me there, because, you know, I’ll longer live, I’ll die so slow, Down in Virginia.    [Pg 69] <big>March Twelfth</big> A HUMOROUS VIEW OF “THE HUB” For the native Bostonian there are three paths to glory. If his name be Quincy or Adams, nothing more is expected of him. His blue blood carries him through life with glory, and straight to heaven when he dies. Failing in the happy accident of birth, the candidate for Beacon Hill honors must write a book. This is easy. The man who can breathe Boston air and not write a book is either a fool or a phenomenon. One course remains to him should he miss fame in these lines. He must be a reformer. Sherwood Bonner (In Letters to Dixie)    [Pg 70] <big>March Thirteenth</big> FIRST ENGLISH LITERATURE OF THE NEW WORLD Your gracious acceptance of the first fruits of my travels ... hath actuated both Will and Power to the finishing of this Peece: ... We had hoped, ere many years had turned about, to have presented you with a rich and wel-peopled Kingdom; from whence now, with my selfe, I onely bring this Composure, ... bred in the New-World, of the rudeness whereof it cannot but participate; especially having Warres and Tumults to bring it to light in stead of the Muses.... Your Majesties most humble Servant George Sandys From Dedication of Ovids’s Metamorphoses, “English by George Sandys” at Henrico College, Virginia, 1621-1625. “Imprinted at London, 1626.”   George Sandys born at Bishopsthorpe, England, 1577    [Pg 71] <big>March Fourteenth</big> Content to miss the prize of fame, If he some true heart’s praise can claim, He lives in his own world of rhyme, The great world’s ways forsaking; Cares not Parnassian heights to climb, But valley bypaths taking, Where even the daises in the sod, Like stars, show him the living God. Charles W. Hubner (The Minor Poet)   Thomas Hart Benton born, 1782     <big>March Fifteenth</big> Abhorrence of debt, public and private; dislike of banks, and love of hard money—love of justice and love of country, were ruling passions with Jackson; and of these he gave constant evidence in all the situations of his life. Thomas Hart Benton   Andrew Jackson born, 1767 Battle of Guilford Courthouse, 1871 Through Mr. Justice Campbell of the Supreme Court, Secretary Seward promises the Confederate Commissioners that Fort Sumter would be speedily evacuated, 1861    [Pg 72] <big>March Sixteenth</big> The great mind of Madison was one of the first to entertain distinctly the noble conception of two kinds of government, operating at one and the same time, upon the same individuals, harmonious with each other, but each supreme in its own sphere. Such is the fundamental conception of our partly Federal, partly National Government, which appears throughout the Virginia plan, as well as in the Constitution which grew out of it. John Fiske (Massachusetts)   James Madison born, 1751    [Pg 73] <big>March Seventeenth</big> “THE GALLANT PELHAM”—Robert E. Lee Just as the Spring came laughing through the strife, With all its gorgeous cheer; In the bright April of historic life, Fell the great cannoneer.... We gazed and gazed upon that beauteous face, While round the lips and eyes, Couched in their marble slumber, flashed the grace Of a divine surprise. James Ryder Randall   Lieutenant-Colonel John Pelham killed at Kelly’s Ford, Va., 1863 Roger Brooke Taney born, 1777    [Pg 74] <big>March Eighteenth</big> John C. Calhoun, an honest man, the noblest work of God. Andrew Jackson   He had the basis, the indispensable basis, of all high character, and that was unspotted integrity—unimpeached honor and character. If he had aspirations, they were high and honorable and noble. There was nothing grovelling or low, or meanly selfish that came near the head or the heart of Mr. Calhoun. Daniel Webster (Massachusetts)   John Caldwell Calhoun born, 1782     <big>March Nineteenth</big> Into the woods my Master went, Clean forspent, forspent. Into the woods my Master came, Forspent with love and shame. But the olives they were not blind to Him, The little gray leaves were kind to Him: The thorn-tree had a mind to Him When into the woods He came. Sidney Lanier (A Ballad of Trees and the Master)    [Pg 75] <big>March Twentieth</big> Out of the woods my Master went, And He was well content. Out of the woods my Master came, Content with death and shame. When Death and Shame would woo Him last, From under the trees they drew Him last: ’Twas on a tree they slew Him—last, When out of the woods He came. Sidney Lanier (A Ballad of Trees and the Master)     <big>March Twenty-First</big> Those who dominated were intelligent, masterful, patriotic, loving home, kindred, state and country, dispensing a prodigal hospitality, limited only by the respectability and behavior of guests. Among girls, refinement, culture, modesty, purity and a becoming behavior were the characteristic traits; among boys, courtesy, courage, chivalry, respect to age, devotion to the weaker sex, scorning meanness, regarding dishonor and cowardice as ineffaceable stains. J. L. M. Curry (The Old South)   General Joseph E. Johnston dies, 1891    [Pg 76] <big>March Twenty-Second</big> Father Tabb’s discernment was clear and touched by the purest fragrance of the muses. To Shelley, Coleridge, and Keats he was devoted. Poe he regarded as without a peer in modern literature, and was his uncompromising, inflexible champion. Henry E. Shepherd   John Banister Tabb born, 1845     <big>March Twenty-Third</big> Come, Texas! send forth your brave Rangers, The heroes of battles untold— Accustomed to trials and dangers, Come stand by your rights as of old; The deeds of your chivalrous daring Are writ on the Alamo’s wall, A record which ruin is sparing— Come forth to your country’s loud call! V. E. W. Vernon   Texas ratifies the Confederate Constitution, 1861    [Pg 77] <big>March Twenty-Fourth</big> Adams, Giddings, and other Congressmen issued a public address, in March, 1843, declaring that the annexation of Texas would be “so injurious to the interests of the Northern States as not only inevitably to result in a dissolution of the Union, but fully to justify it.” Henry A. White     <big>March Twenty-Fifth</big> Nor had Calvert planted English institutions in Maryland simply as he found them. He went back to a better time for freedom of action, and looked forward to a better time for freedom of thought. While as yet there was no spot in Christendom where religious belief was free, and when even the Commons of England had openly declared against toleration, he founded a community wherein no man was to be molested for his faith. William Hand Browne   Landing of the Maryland colonists, St. Clement’s Island, 1634    [Pg 78] <big>March Twenty-Sixth</big> Dear God! what segment of the earth Can match the region of our birth! Though ice-beleaguered, rill on rill, Though scorched to deserts, hill on hill— It is our native country still. Our native country, what a sound To make heart, brain, and blood rebound! James Ryder Randall     <big>March Twenty-Seventh</big> Jamestown and St. Mary’s are both within the segment of a circle of comparatively small radius whose center is at the mouth of the Chesapeake. In this strategic region, the Jamestown experiment succeeded, after Raleigh’s head had fallen on the block; the Revolution was fired by the eloquence of Patrick Henry, and was consummated at Yorktown; the War of 1812 was settled by the victories of North Point and McHenry; the crisis of the Civil War occurred; and seven Presidents of the United States were born. Allen S. Will   Calvert’s Colony lands at St. Mary’s, 1634    [Pg 79] <big>March Twenty-Eighth</big> Nor less resplendent is the light Of him, old South Carolina’s star, Whose fiery soul was made by God To blaze amid the storms of war.... Orion T. Dozier   Wade Hampton born, 1818     <big>March Twenty-Ninth</big> A great event of this [Tyler’s] administration was the Ashburton Treaty. This settled our northeast boundary for 200 miles and warded off the long impending war with England. In most histories the whole credit for this treaty is given to Daniel Webster. Of course this great man should not be robbed of any of his well-earned laurels; but the President is entitled to a share of the honor. Webster himself said: “It proceeded from step to step under the President’s own immediate eye and correction.” Moreover, it may be added that at one stage in the proceedings Lord Ashburton was about to give up and return to England; but President Tyler by his courtesy and suavity, conciliated him and induced him to go on with the negotiation. J. Lesslie Hall   John Tyler born, 1790    [Pg 80] <big>March Thirtieth</big> In discussing the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, Senator Hale warned Senator Toombs that the North would fight. The Georgian answered: “I believe nobody ever doubted that any portion of the United States would fight on a proper occasion.... There are courageous and honest men enough in both sections to fight. There is no question of courage involved. The people of both sections of the Union have illustrated their courage on too many battlefields to be questioned. They have shown their fighting qualities shoulder to shoulder whenever their country has called upon them; but that they may never come in contact with each other in a fratricidal war should be the ardent wish and earnest desire of every true man and honest patriot.” Pleasant A. Stovall   Texas readmitted to the Union, 1870    [Pg 81] <big>March Thirty-First</big> CALHOUN’S NATIONALISM At the peace of 1815 the Government was $120,000,000 in debt; its revenues were small; its credit not great, and the effort to raise money by direct taxation brought it in conflict with the States.... Mr. Calhoun came forward and devised a tariff, which not only gave large revenues to the Government, but gave great protection to manufacturers. Mr. Calhoun received unmeasured abuse for his pains from the North, where the interests were then navigation, and Daniel Webster was the great apostle of free trade.... Under Mr. Calhoun’s tariff the New England manufacturers prospered rapidly.... Success stimulated cupidity, and the “black tariff” of 1828 marked the growth of abuse.... It was then that Mr. Calhoun again stepped forth. He stated that the South had cheerfully paid the enormous burden of duties on imports when Northern manufactures were young and the Government weak; the manufacturers had become rich, and the Government strong—so strong that State rights were being merged into its overshadowing power; he therefore demanded a recognition of State rights, and an amelioration of those burdens that the South had so long borne. Thomas Prentice Kettell (New York)   John C. Calhoun dies, 1850 [Pg 82]     <hr style="width: 50%;" /> [Pg 83] <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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