Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-02-26
8irth-dag.
GRAFTON
OF
COL. THOMAS HARDEMAN,
OF GEORGIA.,

OF GEORGIA,
On the occasion of the celebration of Wash
ington's Birthday at Kings Mountain, on
Saturday, February 81, 1880.
We stand to-day upon soil hallowed by
Revolutionary memories, while the history of
the struggles and triumphs of our patriot faith
ers, who near here struck decisive blow for
American Independence, stirs our blood and
fires our bosoms. The same mountain rises
before us; the same valleys gladden. US with
their beauty and their freshness the same
heavens circle us with their curtains of blue !;
the same sun lights the empyrean but all
else-how changed! The forest has fallen un-
der the stroke Of the pioneer; the "aged mu
ni6cence of nature" has succumbed to the
power of youthful civilizations" the wild
beasts have abandoned their invaded homes for
more undisturbed retreats; and the harvest
fields, the smiling village, the school house, the
college and the church of Zion evidence
the progress of civilization, the diffusion of
kuowledg ge and the triumph Of the Cross.
The brave men-actors in that bloody
drama-they, too, have passed away. One
after one, like forest leaves, they fell but the
memory of their deeds, the results of their
conflicts, the effects of their successful strug-
giles, will flow on like the rivers, in ceaseless
current, as long as gravity controls the waters
and heaven born inspiration sways the SOUL
To inaugurate the ceremony of celebrating
their achievements, and paying some tribute to
their memory, is the object of this assemblage
to-day. Sacred spot! Interesting duty! Hal.
lowed association! Around cradling- place Of
Independence, on an anniversary of the great
apostle of Freedom-the immortal Washing
ton-have the devotees of Liberty assembled
to suggest some suitable testimonial worthy
of the heroes of 1880, who, near this spot,
gave to valor new song, to heroism fresh
laurels, to patriotism richer offering, to
liberty an inalienable birthright. 1t is an
interesting occasion. The Present has come
with grateful offerings to the Past, who like
fearful Niobe, pleads for her children. Come,
now, ye patriots of Watauga and Nollichucky,
from Burke and Cleveland and Rutherford !;
come, We noble descendants of Sumter and
Marion and Rutledge; come, ye gallant Ten
nesseeans from Washington and Sullivan !;
come my fellow.citizens, from the Gate City
of the South; come from beside the jewel
sprayed Toccoa, or from the banks Of Tallu-
lah the terrible come maidens fair, beauty
blooming on your cheeks and joy filling your
hearts come ye matrons grave, your souls
fired with patriotism as pure as the breath
of early morn; come one, come all, to these
cousecrated grounds, and while eye speaks to
eye and heart responds to heart, resolve here
to erect an altar suitable for the memorial
offering that will be made on the centenni-
al anniversary of Kings Mountain battle.
Standing upon this blood bought soil, in the
presence of these sons of Freedom, with Free
dom's banner waving over me, am awed by
the "genius of the place" and my heart is
stirred to its lowest depths, as l commune with
the spirits of Williams and Mcdowell, of
Shelby and Campbell, of Sewer and C]eve'
land of Chronicle and Winston, and their
brave compatriots enthused with the conscious