Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-10-14

80, i
us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
for thine is the kingdom, and the power, ana the
glory forever. Amen. .. .
ADDRESS OF WELCOME BY GOV. JETER.
At the conclusion of the prayer, during the
recital of which the people reverently stood
with heads uncovered, Col. Coward said, 'cInoW
have the pleasure of introducing as the Presi'
dent of this meeting, Governor Thomas b.
Jeter, of South Carolina"
Governor Jeter was greeted with applause
as he stepped forward and said: ......
Ladies and Gentlemen: We have met here
TODAY to celebrate the centennial Of one OF
the most important battles which occurred IN
the war for American Independence. At the
commencement of the difficulties between
Great Britain and her American Colonies, the
interests OF South Carolina were entirely with
the mother country, commerce and manutac-
lures being the favorite pursuits OF the latter,
while agriculture was the chief occupation OF
the former An interchange of commodities
was natural, and mutually advantageous. But
when the British, Parliament blockaded the
port of Boston, the people OF South Carolina,
in convention assembled, unanimously resolved
to make common cause with Massachusetts,
and to aid the people of Boston by voluntary
contributions. Soon the war of the American
Revolution began, and battles ragged for five
years with varying success, until, in 1850, the
prospects of the patriots seemed desperate,
indeed. Washington was discouraged and
thought the American cause in great danger.
Arnold, one of the most skillful and brilliant
Of the American generals, turned traitor and
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positions in the North.
South Carolina and Georgia having been
overrun by the British at this time, Corn
wallis thought he had put an end to all resist
ance in South Carolina, and so announced.
But these disasters, with threats of confisca-
tion and hanging, only had the effect OF max
ing the South Carolina patriots more resolute
and determined, and uniting with friends
from Virginia and North Carolina-as brave
and determined, as themselves-and each
fired by common zeal, determined to strike
another blow for liberty, their affairs and their
6resideS.
They met the enemy at Kings Mountain,
on this spot, and gained one of the most COM
plete victories on record. This was the begin-
ming of series of glorious events which caus-
ed the acknowledgement by Great Britain OF
the independence Of the United States OF
America.
It is well to meet here and refresh our mem
cries with lessons of the patriotism and indom-
table fortitude of the soldiers of the Amer
ican Revolution /; to consider the cost OF our
liberties and estimate their great blessings.
In the name of the State of South Carolina,
1 cordially welcome all to the centennial cele-
bration of the battle of Kings Mountain.
LETTER FROM GEN. PRESTON.
II hot r. bo6 hoor,
arranged fo- Gen. John S. Preston to represent
the State of South Carolina on this occasion !;
but it was with regret-a regret that would be
universal-that he was compelled to announce
tie absence of Gen. Preston ON account Of the
extreme illness of his daughter. He had,
however, received a letter from Gen. Preston,
which he would read:
COLUMBIA, S. c., October 8, 1880.
>, Col. COWARD, CHAIRMAN, &C. My Dear
Colonel /: BY the mail to-day, which brought
your kind letter of Friday, received intelli-
gence of the extreme illness of my daughter in
New York A. this moment I am not sure
she is alive. Yesterday her condition was ex-
tremely perjlous. This grievous affiiction, OF
course, prohibits my leaving Mrs Preston, and
units me for the delicate and honorable duties
assigned to me at the Kings Mountain Cen
tennial Celebration.
LII ucpIlNCS VI NlliSl, III
anticipation, j had placed as the proudest and
most cherished of my declining years. I ask
of you and Governor Jeter to assign to my
place, some one of my distinguished colleagues
of the South Carolina commission. Repre-
senting the people and the State of South Car
olina, and standing on her consecrated soil, l
feel especially solctous to perform the office
of giving welcome to our countrymen from
the other States, and telling them in proper
pride, they were meeting and being with us
there, because hundred years ago their ia
theirs and ours had sealed with mingled blood,
their title and ours to the estate Of religious
and civil liberty. WANTED, too, to introduce
the orator, whose grandfather l remember as
one of the brightest ornaments of the judiciary
of Virginia. His father was my classmate
and close friend for four years Of college life.
He, too, was an enlightened and eminent
Judge Of the Virginia. Court OF. Appeals.
Your speaker has added honor to the honOred
line and name. He gave the blood of his boy
hood to a cause as high and holy as that you
celebrate. That cause was lost, but its records
are written in the records Of truth and heroism,
side by side with that cause which was gain
ed at Kings Mountain and Yorktown
Col. Daniel has given the fragment OF his
young body---his matured brain and patriot
heart-to the redemption and preservation III
honor of that grand old commonwealth which
stands foremost and purest in the career OF
civilization in this New World, giving to it
Washington, Jefferson and Henry and their
compeers, and half the men who won the battle
Of Kings Mountain.
Gods providence prevents my being with
you, except in heart and spirit. May your
celebration he joyous one. know you and
your associates will make it worthy of the
occasion. which Jefferson called s'the dawn of
hope to America"
1 am, dear Colonel, gratefully and faithfully
yours, JOHN S . PRESTON.
After COL Coward had read the above let
ter, Governor Jeter introduced
JUDGE DANIEL G. FowLE,
The eloquent orator of North Carolina, who,
as the representative of that State, said:
We are standing upon sacred sOll-almoSt
under the shadow of Kings Mountain-which,
one hundred ears ago, was consecrated by
the valor and determination of our ancestors,
who here poured out their blood and welcomed
death in orde that a Nation of freemen might
live To this mausoleum, erected by Nature s
God, North Carolina bids her sisters welcome,
and in the name of herpeople hearty welcome
is given to the sons of South Carolina, Virginia
and Tennessee, who have hOnOred us with their
presence upon this interesting occasion.
To our brothers of other States, who are with
us to-day, an equal welcome is extended !; for
the spirit which animates this celebration is
one of Nationality and brotherhood, which
knows no section, but recognizes alone one COM
mon cause, rendered sacred by common priva-
tions, and illustrious by common triumph
In his tour to the Hebrides, DR.. johnson
wrote "Thst man is little to be envied, whose
patriotism es not gain force upon the plains
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