Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-01-06
THE NEW YEAR.


THE NEW YEAR.
The year eighteen hundred and seventy
FIVE is gone. A minute and critical review Of
the leading events by which it is character
lied is impossible. In many of its grand fea-
lures it was like the years by which it was
preceded. 1t had its spring, its summer, its
autumn and its winter. The sun shone as it
had for near six thousand years before. The
rains fell, the winds blew, as in the past. Still
the year that is just ended had its peculiar
features. The seasons were favorable, and
the crop in the United States was an average
one; but Notwithstanding this fact, we are
compelled to say that we believe the people
of the United States begin the new year un-
der straitened circumstances.
The year eighteen hundred and seventy-six
marks grand epoch in our history. One
hundred years ago, from Boston to Savannah,
the country was in commotion. "To arms
to armsr' was heard in every section Of the
thirteen colonies. One hundred years ago,
war actually commenced, in fearful earnest,
between the feeble American colonies and
Great Britain, the strongest nation on the
globe. In the year 1761 the British govern
ment began, by unjust taxation, to oppress
the colonies The colonies bore and forbore
complained and petitioned that their grievan-
ces might be removed. Things gradually
grew worse Blood was shed in 1771 at Ala
nance Creek, in North Carolina in defence
of American rights. Here, for the first time
in America, it was determined to be free or
die in the struggle for independence. AT
Alamance Creek, in North Carolina, in 1771
men were shot down and hanged by the
Kings party, because they would not tamely
submit. Then followed, in quick succession,
train of events which led to the grandest
Revolution on record. The British govern
ment enacted oppressive laws and the colonies
resisted, not the British government at first,
but its oppressive acts. Armies were sent
from Europe to awe the colonies into subjec'
ton. The colonies armed themselves and
prepared to resist oppression. On the 18th OF
April, ITS, the battle Of Lexington was
fought; on the 18th of June the battle OF
Bunker's Hill.
The opening of the year 1776, one hun
dred years ago, found the country full Of
British soldiers, and its coast lined with the
naval force of Great Britain. Up to this
time nothing had been contemplated by the
colonies but resistance against the oppressive
acts Of the mother country. The people
loved Great Britain. All they asked, at
first, was relief; but in 1776 it became evil
dent to all that there was no plan by which
their grievances could be redressed but by
throwing off the British yoke. The multitude
clamored for freedom, and their representa-
tives, on the 4th of July, 1776, declared the
thirteen colonies free and independent. 1t
was sublime step; awfully sublime. Our
fathers were in earnest; they succeeded; and
after a struggle of eight years they bequeath-
ed to US the best government upon which the
sun ever shone The year 1876 is, in fact,
a centennial year. The United States, as a
free Republic, is one hundred years old.
What mighty changes have taken place
since 1776! Although the country has
passed through three wars-two of which were
desolating, and the last desolating beyond
calculation everything is progressing.
1t is true that the present is in many respects
ominous. The country is in the midst of a
great financial crisis. Anarchy and confu-
sion hover over many of the State Capitals,
and the Stars and Stripes have been prostitu-
ted to the vilest purposes. "Still, our coun-
try yet remains" we would humbly hope.
Our fathers planted the tree of liberty and
watered it with their blood. Many of us feel
an intense interest in the purity and prosper
ity of the United States government. In
1776 our fathers wrested it from the hands of
the mother country, and in 1912 they defend
ed it from the encroachments Of the same
power. Would that those who are attempt
ing to corrupt it would only look back to
Alamance Creek, to Lexington, to Fort
Moultrie, to Valley Forge, and to Yorktown,
and pause in their career!
The eyes of the world are anxiously turned
to the United States. We are demonstrating
either that republican form of government
is practical or that it is impractical. Its base
is Intelligence and religion. If the United
States government fails, it will prove to the
world that as people we are ignorant and
immoral. This will be sad record to go
down to future generations.
BATTLE OF KINGS MOUNTAIN.
As appropriate to the opening of the Cen
tennial year, we commence this week, the
publication of sketch of the battle of
Kings Mountain, fought on the soil of York
county in the darkest hour of the struggle tor
American Independence. In the preparation
of the sketch, the author availed himself Of