The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1879-03-13
4 Rcminiscense of q Great and
Good Man.

mere Is Hc'eI anything ioot " "pie"S
up to the living the shining examples Of
those who have passed away. In fact
1t always does good, and there is noth-
ing so refreshing to the weary pilgrim
on this earth as to dwell in sweet re.
membrauce upon those who were once
dear to him. aud who have now passed
into that land from whence no traveller
ever returns. Whatever may be the
asperties of life fe-however harsh-no
matter how bitter the "wnrmwood and
gall may be. there is nevertheless.
much to Tighten, much to cheer, and
much to wipe ont the clouds hat some-
times grow so dark.
Nothing moro than true man,
good man, q Christian man, can DO
this, and as VI" pen the name OF the i'm
mortal JOHN Fl. Means. every attribute
that godliunss, holiness, truth and lave
can bear, clusters around his sacred
name. Years have passed since amid
fire and shell no poured out his lite
blood. Years IRE now nearly numbered
by the score since hc gave up his all IN
behalf of everything that he thought sa-
cred. But those years are yet green and
today the illustrious hero stands in our
memory as bright as he did the day
that his gli,trrirg sword flashed upon
the battlefield of the second Manassas,
or his eye grew din, rs his lifc's blood
cb5ed fast away. The writer who pays
this feeble tribute to this good man
knew him from his early boyhood. At
bis feet, by his side. in the lonely camp
hs knew him. and often wien the weary
sentinel paced his night watch and the
camp fires were all dim, and nothing
but the distant fire Of the enemy could
be heard, he has listened TO the blessed
words of Gov Means with a love that
he held next to his father. In all OF
South Carolina's history We foil to lind
a character in which are blended more
of the soldier and citizen, statesman and
scholar, the brave man and the gentle
man than was typi6ed in him. Gov.
Means was always a States Rights nau.
he advocated secession, and when war
came, though the frosts Of many winters
we're upon him, he left his home. h's
family and all to do what his conVle-
tious required of him, and In the die
charge Of that duty poured out his blood
as so much water. When South Car lima
needed him he answered her call, He
remained in her service while large
portion Of the press Of the State wore
loudly calling him back 10 again be hps'
governor: and, perhaps, he~SHu1a have
been, had not he>asssated his devotion to
her with hisbiood. IF the files OF the
old Columbia Guardian could how be
produted, VIC would find there "UP
CeuNTRY,' first calling him back;"Low
1CoUsTRY," responding to that call. an d
when he gave up his Immortal spirit,
the voice ofour State was ripe for his re-
election ,othe office that he had once b.
fore adorned. In honoring him the State
houored herself. She placad no f9w"r
upon his brow that did not perfume h"r
own. and as the hand Of this noble man
grew cold and was csnmist.d 10 the
dust, a long ,d"ep swell OF bitter anguish
permeated ev:ry soul throughout the
length and breadth of our State. | can
not forget the zeal and grandeur IF
his bearing upon that memorable day
that bis spirit Went to its God. The
night preceding had been dark, wet and
disagreeabIe, His physical power wac
overtaxed whcn the morning sun arose,
bnt his uuconquerable Zeal was as
bright and unchanged rs WIS thr NOON
day sun at meridian srlendor. Duty was
bis guiding light;, to follow it. let come
veal or woe, d,ath or life was his great
est pleasure, and but few hours b.
fore the awful combat came, though
exhausted to great extent, his smile
showed the inwardness Of his heart, and
as be ate his bareback and bacon his eye
beamed with sternness that well evin
ced his sacred belief in the never-failing
Ijustice of his cause. Soon, however. the
combat came oB. He commanded his
regiment in noble style. He seemed al
most to be inspired. His face grew ra.
dient, and while his voice was ringing
like silver boll in that terrific conbar,
the awful shell explodes, and turning
to his youthful comraae he said: "My
boy, I am wounded" Quietly, amidst
the roar of that great battle was he laid
down, and while his blood WAS oozing
from mouth aud chest. and he was fast
passing away, time and again conld his
powerful voice be heard: "Go on, my
brave boys, 20 on" 1t is us familiar too,
almost, as yesterday. when in his dying
breath, while bidding farewell to home
aud all, aud to his gallant son. then
commanding a portion of the regiment,
of which he was Major. he, though al
most writhing in agony, repeated the
beautiful words Of Campbell:
"Shall victor exult, or in death be laid
| low,
With his back to the field and his feet to
the foe?
Leaving in battle no blot on his name;
Looks proudly to heaven from the death
bed of fame.
Soon Grn. Means died. Near
Manassas We laid him away. A few Of
Us dropped our tears there, while Il whole
State wept. God bless his memory. The
1Tth g q. Infantry will never forget it.