Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-10-31
A GOOD SUGGESTION. ,

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= ..Da AGOoD SUGGESTION, tllna
A communication in the Augusta Chronicle
over the signature of Confederate Soldiers,
urges that fund be raised by contributions
in the South for the benefit of the widow and
child of the late Lieut.. Benner. Hon., Pat
rick Walsh, of Augusta, is named as treasurer
of the fund, to whom contributions may be
remitted. dH- Bl" III" ~ 3s ~. 49,
Heartily endorsing the Suggestion contain
ed in the communication, the Chronicle says
editorially: .....
"Such action is entirely just and proper.
What would be more fitting, then, than that
the Southern people should express their graft
tude and admiration by raising fund for
those whose protector gave up life in their be-
half? When the relief ship started on it's Pc
rilous voyage down the Mississippi river, bear
ing medicine to the sick in the death-belea-
giered towns and villages of the infected re-
gion, food to the hungry and clothing to the
naked, no human law made it the duty of
Lieutenant Benner to share the dangers Of the
expedition. So far as is known to US, there
were no ties that bound him to the South! He
was an officer of the Federal army, and in the
war between the sections, doubtless drew his
sword in defence of that side which he believ-
ed be the side Of right and justice. But in
obedience to higher law, which comes from
God and is found in the Code Of HeavenL-a a
law which commands us to love one another,
to minister to the sick and needy-this brave
man took his life in his hand and journeyed
down the river of death. Exposed to the poi
son that tainted every breeze, he sank and died,
hofo 80 4
much good to the people to whose relief he
came. Surely there was never more knightly
deed than this more of heroic self-sacrifce,
nor was there ever nobler death in the noble
cause of humanity. The memory of such a
man should be honored for all time to come.
He has proven that the age Of chivalry has
not passed, and that greener laurels can be
gathered in the charnel house Of pestilence
than on the stricken field. But while the
South admires and honors, she has a duty to
perform. 1t would be blistering shame to
let the wife and children, of this martyr to
humanity suffer because of his heroism. God
alone can bind up the bruised and bleeding
heart, but the Southern people can secure the
loved ones against physical suffering, privation
and want. That they will do this we do not
doubt. Let them in every town and city raise
a fund for the family of the brave man who
died in their behalf. -. .....,..,.t .,....t.
To the above remarks of our Augusta con
temporary, we would simply add that Mrs.
Benner, who resided with her husband in
this place some FIVE or six years, is a worthy,
Christian lady, and deserves the sympathies Of
the people in whose behalf her husband sac
ri6ced his life. The Southern Relief Com.
mittee of the Chamber of Commerce of New:
York, have very properly appropriated from
the relief funds ia their hands, $4,000 for the
benefit of the widow and his children, and in
vite other relief committees throughout the
country to contribute for the same purpose
from unappropriated balances in their hands.
A letter from Gen. Hancock warmly endorses
Lieut.. Benner's family as essentially deser-
wing the consideration of charitable and
patriotic people," ''.f ".'"
THE MEETING LAST TUESDAY.
Notwithstanding the inclemency of the
weather last Tuesday-for not unlike the day
appointed for the former grand rally of the
Democracy of York on the 23rd ultimo, the
day was cool and rainy-there was large
and enthusiastic outpouring of the people
from every section of the county, who came
to honor the noble Hampton and. uphold by
their presence the cause Of Home Rule and
Honest Government, in which great measures
he is the chosen leader of his State. .....
Early in the forenoon, the streets were
tbronged with the yeomanry of the county
horsemen and footmeD, nearly all wearing
the typical red shirt, emblematic of that en-
sanguined neither garment so often and fran.
tically waved by Radical politicians of the
North-all in fine bumor, hilarious with en-
thusiasm and overaowing with ardor, as if
just entering upon the campaign now so near
ly closed. .... ......... .......
Besides the citizens who formed the i'm
mense cavalcade, extending nearly the length
of Main street, there was also present, as in
vited guests of the jenkins Rifles, the Spar
tan Rifles. Capt. Bacon, of Spartanburg;
the Catawba Rifles, Capt. Jones, Of Rock
Hill; the Cadets Of Kings Mountain Mill