Stories of Old KentuckyPurcell, Martha C. Grassham, Mrs.
History
Stories of Old Kentucky
Purcell, Martha C. Grassham, Mrs.
Kentucky -- History
Theodore O'Hara's immortal elegy, "The Bivouac of the Dead" is known to
all. John Wilson Townsend has called Madison Cawein the successor of
Sidney Lanier; Edmund Gosse calls him the "hermit thrush," while others
have named him the "Kentucky Keats." Cale Young Rice has won fame in
dramatic verse. Thomas H. Chivers, a native of Georgia, spent some time
in Kentucky. He accused Poe of stealing some of his words in "The Raven"
from him.
Robert Burns Wilson, the poet-painter, has published several volumes of
the highest merit. Bishop John L. Spalding, William O. Butler, Fornatus
Cosby, Jr., George D. Prentice, Sarah T. Bolton, Mary E. Betts, Henry T.
Stanton, Sarah N. Piatt, and a host of others have written verse that
will compare favorably with that of many writers more renowned.
[Illustration: Madison Cawein.]
KENTUCKIANS IN HISTORY
Whether we write of the hardy pioneer facing danger and privation, of
the volunteer soldier freely offering up his life on the altar of his
country, of the great general leading his men to victory, of the
mature-minded statesman helping to guide the ship of state, or of the
brilliant orator swaying thousands by his eloquence, we find Kentuckians
in every rôle. Likewise we find the skillful surgeon severing the
diseased part from that aglow with health, the learned lawyer tactfully
pleading his client's cause, the able heads of our government
discharging well their duty, the learned judge of our highest court
presiding with wisdom and justice, and the consul to foreign countries
shedding luster upon the post he holds. Again we note the scholarly
heads of universities training the youth of the land, the sound business
man striving for a better city, the patriot answering in any form his
country's call, the great naturalist finding the many secrets of mother
Nature, the historian cautiously collecting data and describing
important incidents, and the sweet singer bringing cheer into every
place. Further we find the humorist bringing smiles to every face, the
consecrated minister leading thousands to a new life, the inventor
bringing comfort and ease, and the artist skillfully using his brush or
chisel to imitate Nature. Indeed, the roll call of eminent Kentuckians
will show that they have played such important parts in both military
and civil affairs that one or more, and often many, Kentuckians have
filled each of these posts with credit to themselves and glory to their
state.
None have been found braver, none more brilliant, and none more beloved,
whether serving in their native or their adopted state.
More than eighty have represented us in foreign countries; more than
fifty have been governors in other states; more than thirty have been
United States senators from other states; and more than eighty have
been representatives in Congress from other states.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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