The Conquered Banner

 

Comment by   Jeffery in Alabama on In your opinion, what does the Confederate flag symbolize?

 A banner that many of my ancestors followed into battle defending the sovereignty of their states as well as their individual rights. Also, it was a symbol of a newly formed government representing eleven states of like minded learned men who grew tired of a tyrannical and oppressive federal government that had grown to large for their britches. These men believed strongly enough in their convictions, the Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence and felt it was the right of a state, as do I, to leave the union.

How much longer can good people in in Southern (and other) States, which have almost nothing in common with the likes of California, Rhode Island, New York, New Hampshire, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, be expected to fund ridiculous programs (i.e. "octomom", prison sex changes,etc.), It would have already stopped if the working citizens and entrepreneurs of this nation were not forced at gunpoint and the threat of prison to pay illegal/confiscatory taxes which fund such madness. With the economy in shambles, self-serving politicians running wild, and a government that labels veterans, Christians, gun owners, etc, as terrorist, I really don't think it will be long until states have no other choice but to lawfully and peacefully say "we have had enough, leave us alone, unmolested, to be in full control of our own destiny".

--Deo Vindice,

Jeffery

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THE CONQUERED BANNER
by Abram Joseph Ryan
(1838-1886)

Furl that Banner, for 'tis weary;
Round its staff 'tis drooping dreary;
Furl it, fold it, it is best;
For there's not a man to wave it,
And there's not a sword to save it,
And there's no one left to lave it
In the blood that heroes gave it;
And its foes now scorn and brave it;
Furl it, hide it--let it rest!

Take that banner down! 'tis tattered;
Broken is its shaft and shattered;
And the valiant hosts are scattered
Over whom it floated high.
Oh! 'tis hard for us to fold it;
Hard to think there's none to hold it;
Hard that those who once unrolled it
Now must furl it with a sigh.

Furl that banner! furl it sadly!
Once ten thousands hailed it gladly.
And ten thousands wildly, madly,
Swore it should forever wave;
Swore that foeman's sword should never
Hearts like theirs entwined dissever,
Till that flag should float forever
O'er their freedom or their grave!

Furl it! for the hands that grasped it,
And the hearts that fondly clasped it,
Cold and dead are lying low;
And that Banner--it is trailing!
While around it sounds the wailing
Of its people in their woe.

For, though conquered, they adore it!
Love the cold, dead hands that bore it!
Weep for those who fell before it!
Pardon those who trailed and tore it!
But, oh! wildly they deplored it!
Now who furl and fold it so.

Furl that Banner! True, 'tis gory,
Yet 'tis wreathed around with glory,
And 'twill live in song and story,
Though its folds are in the dust;
For its fame on brightest pages,
Penned by poets and by sages,
Shall go sounding down the ages--
Furl its folds though now we must.

Furl that banner, softly, slowly!
Treat it gently--it is holy--
For it droops above the dead.
Touch it not--unfold it never,
Let it droop there, furled forever,
For its people's hopes are dead!

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