South Carolina
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.