The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1867-12-04
From fho Montgomery Advertiser.
France and Her FIRST Grenadier," and
tho Convention and Alabama Dead,


France and Her First Grenedier," and
tho Convention and Alabama Dead,
EDIToRs ADVERTISER In those
glorious days Of France, when a man
OF the people crushed down tho power
Of kingdoms and her arms and her
honor shone brightest, there was q
peerless band of soldiors--hcr grcna-
dicrs. And among them was ono
who was the s'tirst Grcnadicr OF
France"
Time and change came. Tho ia,
tion had been overthrown tho cause
for which Tho ssFirst Grenadior OF
France gayc up his !ifo was crushed
by banded Europe! And yet history
tells us, that even then, when power
held high carnival midst the ruined
and crushed hopes of pcople-that
at roll-call of the grcnadicrs then un-
der another flag, Latour d'Auvcrgenc's S
namo was still highest on tho roll of
honor-and that at each evening roll
call his name was first, and u surviving
colurGdc next in honor and rank
answcrcd-"dcad upon the field of
honor"
Neither the banded tyrants, nor the
master OF France imposed by foreign
bayoncts-dared to attempt to erase his
name from the roll Of fame and from the
affections Of France Latomr dAuvcr.
gene was not the first grenatlicr Of the
Rcpublic--or of the Empire-but the
"First Grenadicr of France" All
France loved his name, regardless Of
the cause in which he fell. His name
was one Of the names that survive a
fallen cause, and shine but brighter in
the darkness Of disaster. The tvrants
who held France asked not her affection
but her obedience. 1t was worse than
vain to strike at the heart of the na.
ton and drag ouL its love and vcneration
for its slain sons by legislative enact.
mcnts or the laws OF force. Alabama
and her grenadicrs Men who belong
to history-to postcrity Great in all
that is noble grand IN all that which
try mems souls-theso men belong not
to Alabama alone, but to the world
They stand out in history irrespective
OF the cause they advocated unaffected
by It's downfall! Alabama loved them
Tor themselves. Torn and wrecked by
adverse fortunes, they arc the only Jew
els in her once proud dadem
Believing all would delight to honor
worth, Alabama gave their names
("scant mead Of glorious worthy to
new counties. Alabama knew hat tho
world would would feel this to be a lust
tribute to departed worth--and that all
men would delight to honor the names
OF men.
Alabama was but calling the roll Of
her First Grcnadrcr' and an almiring
world answered-"dcad upon lhc fed
of honor" Are men OF the same blood
children Of The same Alabama
sharcrs OF The same destiny willing to
go farther than the tyrants Of Europe 2
Can they take upon themselves the in.
fanny which was too inEamons even for
the desp pots ofthc old world
The demon Of hate may prevail
Legislative cnactmcnts may strike from
the statute book their namcs-but can
they strike them from our hearts
lnfamy may crown the nnmc of Col
bert with the cpIlhet of Brownow-
ruthless power may crush ont the names
OF Jones, Of Bullock, of Bainc, Of Hale,
&c, OF all Alabama's glorious sons; but
let the people take heart, for i has been
dccrccd--
"3isc, Babel Perish, Babylon