The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1890-07-17
BILL ARP'S PHILOSOPHY.
Atlanta Constitution,

BILL ARP'S PHILOSOPHY.
Atlanta Constellation.
asked an intelligent young man to-
day about the 9Th of July, aud what it
meant, and he said, "Our forefathers had
big fight with old England and whipt it,
and after it was all over the colonies got
together on the 4th of July, T6, and
formed Union aud made Declaration
of Independence" A good many young
people have an idea that this day cele-
brates the whipping Of the fight, and the
beginning of a new government. This is
mistake, but it is very reasonable
supposition. The day of great victory
that closes war and secures peace and
independence is greater day than the
one on which it was declared.
"Let not him boast that putteth his ar
NOR on like him who taketh it off" The
surrender of CORVALLIS at Yorktown
virtually closed the war on the 10Th day
of October, 1871, and the treaty Of peace
was signed in Paris on the 30th day of
November, 1882. This treaty for the first
time acknowledged and established the
independence of the United States, and
the day it was signed should be observed
as very notable day. The 4th of July
was not the beginning of the war. The
colonies had been fighting for year or
more all along the line. Bancroft says
the battle of Lexington that was fought
on the 18th of April, ITS, was the be-
ginning of the revolution. The battle of
Bunker Hill was fought in June, 1775.
The colonies had rebelled from Maine to
Georgia, and had organized for resistance.
Old North Carolina held a secession
meeting at Mecklenburg in May 1775. and
passed Declaration of Independence.
The second continental congress met in
Philadelphia the 10th of May, 1775, and
issued $4,000, 900 of continental money for
war purposes. Canada was invaded and
Montreal was taken in December, ITO.
Our fathers were getting along pretty well
with the war before the 4th of July, but
the colonies were fighting on their own
motion, and had not cemented any settled
union. Some of them them thought that
England would soon get tired and beg
their pardon and invite them back, and
perhaps they would 60 back, but on the
7th day of June, 1776, Richard Henry
Lee introduced resolutions in the conti--
mental Congress that cut the last cord
that had bound the colonies to Great
Britain. The resolutions we're passed and
committee appointed to draw up a more
formal declaration of independence; and
40 it was done, and was reported to Con-
press and was passed on the 4th of July,
l776.
It is we'll for the children and youth to
understand these things, SO that when
they are asked what sll this racket is
about, and these annual celebrations and
fireworks, they can answer.
Richard Henry Lee was the personal
friend of Washington, and when Wash
ington died Lee was chosen to pronounce
his eulogy, and it was in that address
that he said of him: "First in war, first
in peace and first in the hearts of his
countrymen." Don't forget that.
Those Lees were terrible rebels. When
Cromwell was dictator they rebelled
against him and passed Declaration cf
Independence for Virginia, and so Crom.
well sent over fleet to subdue them, but
he couldn't do it, and had to recognize
their independence and make treaty
with them. The Lees were born to rule,
and they have been ruling for 150 years
in this country. 1t is grand old family.
Henry Lee, cousin of Richards, was
the father of our General Robert e. Lee.
He was known during the revolution as
Light Horse Harry. His father must
have been very extraordinary man, for
he and General Washington loved and
courted the same girl, Miss Lucy Grymes,
the lowland beauty, and Lee outgeneraled
the General, end history says that Wash.
ingtou never wholly recovered from that
defeat. Some years after he tried wild
ow with better luck. She had one SOD,
and that SON married and died, leaving
one daughter, and our Bob married her.
The Lees all had personal pride and pride
of family. They scorned to do mean
thing. Their self-respect wouldn't per-.
NIT it. They stood up and sat down and
rode and walked with princely dignity
that commanded respect and admiration.
William Preston Johnston says in q re-
cent letter that he never saw General Lee
take an ungraceful posture. No mstter
how worn or weary or sick or sad, his
bearing was grace and dignity refined
This was Lot affected. It was his nature.
a man with q great mind and q good
heart can't help being dignifed. His
body partakes Of the nobility of his mind
He becomes godlike. as was scid OF Dan
iel Webster. If mans body is the
temple of the living God, as the Scrip
lures say, it then becomes him to be dig
nifed and graceful and courteous. Some
folks affect to despise all this, but they do
not. They are fooling themselves. just
| let man or woman sit or stand before
the camera of the photographer for o
picture and see how they fix up tor it,
and how careful to take good position
They will do their best and look their
prettieat every time, especially woman
Light Horse Harry was the most dash:
ing cavalry officer of the revolution, and
Washington depended upon him as Gen
eral Lee depended upon Jeb Stuart IN Ehe
late war. He was q devoted friend and
magnamious foe. After the war he hap
pened to be in Baltimore where a rnot
had gathered to break up newspaper and
whip the editor, a man who had been hi:
friend. and he rushed to his rescue and
got wounded in the fray and was injured
Internally and never recovered from it
He went to Cuba for his health aud came
back by Cumberland island to rest awhile
with Generals Green's family, and there
he died and was buried. Georgia was
honored with his bones.
I reckon that the 4th of July is the
6ttest day to celebrate, though it was not
the day Of the nations birth, nor the be-
ginning of the war, nor the day of the
last great victory, nor the day when peace
was made. 1t is singular coincidence
that the battle of Lexington, where the
first blood vas shed in the old revolution
was fought on the 18th of April..thee
same day of the same month that closed
the late war, ninety years afterw@rd
Sherman and Joe Johnston made peace
nm that f1av at Durhan's Station, in North