North View High School - Southside Echoes Yearbook (North View, VA)

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SOUTHSIDE ECHOES 33 George Washington, was a Southerner. He was a noble Vir- ginian, who by his ability, good judgment, patriotic spirit and Christian character, filled the presidential chair two terms. Washington was also our mainstay in the Revolutionary War. There, too, was another — Calhoun, from South Carolina, who was a great aid to the South as a Senator. We must mention also, Jefferson Davis, the noble, self-sacrificing Southerner who was the President of the Confederacy. And we must not forget noble Lee, whose name shall ever be immortal and who so bravely distinguished himself in the Civil War and in the educational advancement of the South. There was another also worthy of praise. Stonewall Jackson, the bravest of Con- federate generals, and who gave his life for a noble cause and one he believed to be right. From the lives of such men as these one can form his esti- mate of the Southerner. It is a noble thing to think of the Confederate soldier leaving his loved ones to what fate he knew not and going out to fight for what he deemed a just cause. The cause for which they went to give their life, if necessary. And, alas ! for it to be the Lost Cause. But was it indeed lost ! No, it was not that, because of the heroic examples given the world, of brave, gallant and loyal deeds done to defend their beloved South. They can never be forgotten and always will be an inspiration for noble things. The Confederate name will ever remain a synonym for bravery and devotion to prin- ciple. It is, indeed, a joy to see these same old soldiers remain faithful and loyal to the Stars and Stripes, and enthusiastic and joyous in the glory of their country. The war seemed as a dark gloom settling down over the country. But this was not to last always, for though not vic- torious, yet not conquered, but only outnumbered, the South- erners returned to their homes and commenced the work of reconstruction. We pass over reconstruction days with a shud- der, all joy seems forever gone. But now that the dark cloud

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Stops of tfje H outfjlanti “Long as thine Art shall love true love, Long as thy Science truth shall know, Long as thy Eagle harms no dove, Long as thy Law by law shall grow, Long as thy God is God above. Thy brother every man below. So long, dear land of all my love, Thy name shall shine, thy fame shall glow.” This was well said of our dear old Southland. For it is an ideal land, abounding in song and rich in story. It is a land of contentment and joy. Even in colonial times, the gay Cav- alier and cheerful Huguenot lived lives of splendor, refinement and ease. Society has always been at its best in the Southland. Courtesy, gentility, politeness and all the finer arts of the soul seem inherent in the very soul of the South. The old Southern colonists enjoyed liberty, prosperity and contentment. They lived on their large rich plantations attended by their faithful slaves who loved them and who were always ready to obey their commands. Hospitality was one of the many virtues of the old Southerners. Their homes were open to all friends far and near. Their stables were filled with the finest bred horses, and here and there they often gathered for a fox hunt or a horse race or show. Holidays were celebrated at first one home and then the other. The people, old and young, would gather for an Old Colonial Ball. The spacious rooms of the old brick house would resound with merriment and laughter. Those were joyful times. They were not only so then, but remained so until the Civil War. The South was great in political force and strength. Some of our greatest men came from the South. Our first President,

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34 SOUTH SIDE ECHOES of war has lifted, the South is again united; the old wounds of war are healed ; there remains no ill feeling or enmity any- where. Consequently the South now enjoys prosperity and peace. “Sadly, but not with upbraiding, The generous deed was done; In the storm of the years that are fading, No braver battle was won; — Under the sod and the dew, Waiting the judgment day; Under the blossoms the blue; Under the garland the gray. No more shall the war cry sever, Or the winding rivers be red; They banish our anger forever, When they laurel the graves of our dead. Under the sod and the dew, Waiting the judgment day; . Love and tears for the blue, Tears and love for the gray.” We will only say a few words of the sad return of the old soldiers, to find their homes and everything either destroyed or fallen into ruin. They did not sit down to rest, as it were, but were up and doing with a cheerful and resolute heart. The reconstruction progressed rapidly. New inventions were made, new industries adopted and progress became general and rapid. This advancement is still continuing. Education is taking a great bound and is making greater progress than before. It is the awakening of the South in all its glory and joy. Phcenix- like, she rises and advances, never pausing or taking any step backward, but ever pursuing and ever achieving, she pushes onward. “A thing of beauty is a joy forever,” which can well be said of the Southland. It seemed like fairyland to the old