The South, after fifty years, is more intimately a part of the Union than ever before. Her interests are national and her destiny great. In the youthful Bagley she was the first to give her blood in the war with Spain, therewith cementing the tie that now, without fetters, binds in a steadily growing amity and understanding. To-day, a true Southerner has an abiding love and loyalty for the section that has seen tears and grief, as well as sunshine and flowers, beyond the measure of any country of modern times; but he is also doubly true to, and proud of, the mighty progress of a reunited Republic. Surely it is due to the South and due to the Nation that the story of the South be told. And the highest aim of the compiler of these selections is that he may contribute something to promote that steadily expanding knowledge of historical truth which alone can fully allay the spirit of sectional strife, and from which alone we may look for perfect amity and understanding to ensue. MATTHEW PAGE ANDREWS January TO TIME, THE OLD TRAVELER They slander thee, Old Traveler, Who say that thy delight Is to scatter ruin, far and wide, In thy wantonness of might: For not a leaf that falleth Before thy restless wings, But in thy flight, thou changest it To a thousand brighter things. * * * * 'Tis true thy progress layeth Full many a loved one low, And for the brave and beautiful Thou hast caused our tears to flow; But always near the couch of death Nor thou, nor we can stay; _And the breath of thy departing wings Dries all our tears away_! WILLIAM HENRY TIMROD January First Some thunder on the heights of song, their race Godlike in power, while others at their feet Are breathing measures scarce less strong and sweet Than those that peal from out that loftiest place; Meantime, just midway on the mount, his face Fairer than April heavens, when storms retreat, And on their edges rain and sunshine meet, Pipes the soft lyrist lays of tender grace, But where the slopes of bright Parnassus sweep Near to the common ground, a various throng Chant lowlier measures--yet each tuneful strain (The silvery minor of earth's perfect song) Blends with that music of the topmost steep, O'er whose vast realm the master minstrels reign! PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE O'er those who lost and those who won, Death holds no parley which was right-- JEHOVAH judges Arlington. JAMES RYDER RANDALL _Paul Hamilton Hayne born, 1830_ _James Ryder Randall, Laureate of the War between the States, born, 1839_ January Second