Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-04-07
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Directly opposite two men sat look
ing out of a second story window. They
were in the law Office of Justin Will
liams, lifelong citizen of the town
and lawyer of repute. He was man
of SO, but carried his age lightly. The
other was young man of "a, well
built and having a plain but kindly
face. He was Royal Kenton of Rhode
Island, a graduate of law at a promi-
nent university and the Junior partner
of the law firm of Williams & Kenton.
They were uncle and nephew. Kenton
had come down about IS months before
AS the relative and partner of a promi-
nent citizen he was treated with Cour-
tesy. AS Yankee, fresh from Yankee
land, be was a subject of criticism, and
there was little heart in the hospitality
accorded him. There could not have
been. He represented principles an
tagonistic to the south. There was no
neutral ground in those days. a man
represented not himself, but his sec
ton of country. The opinions Of biz sec
ton were considered to be his. \ south
erner at the north would have Leen
looked upon through the same eyes and
held responsible to the same extent.
Men liked him as a man, but they de-
tested him as a Yankee.
We'll, am sorry this trouble has
fallen upon the country" said the old
lawyer as they watched the crowd oppo-
site. Il have long felt that it must
come sooner or later, but l hoped it
would not be in my day. Nothing can
now prevent war.
But everybody appears to think it
will end almost as soon as begun, re-
piled Kenton.
They do not stop to reflect" said
the lawyer as his face assumed more
serious look. Il am a southerner, and
l believe the south has been fully justi-
fed in her course, but our people are
foOlishly Understanding the strength
and temper of the north. They Will not
let MS go because we buster and threat
en-. If the south secures a separation,
it will have to be won on the field of
battle. 1t was to be, and it has come,
but it is to be deplored.
eff war comes, business will have to
60, observed Kenton as he looked
about the Office.
War is here, and our business has
already fed. - replied Williams. Mar
tial law will soon be proclaimed, and
there will be no more use for judges,
jurors and attorneys. | have wanted to
ask you for several days what course
you mean to pursue. If it was to be
war of 60 days, six months. or even
gear, we might make certain plans, but
+; is to be long and bloody struggle,
and this very valley will he battle
ground. We may as we'll close our Of
fee today as a month hence. Amid
such excitement as this there can be no
call for our services.
II am northern man, said Ken
ton after q moment s thought.
Yes, they call You Il Yankee"
Il have cared nothing for politics.
There is Il great principle herein in
volved, but our greatest statesmen are
divided over it. The south seeks indie
pendence from IA federation which has
become unbearable. The north, or at
least a goodly portion of 1t, denies the
right of secession. This coming war is
the consequence. l stand on neutral
ground.
'You are neutral today, but you can
not be 80 days hence, said the old law
yer as a troubled look came into his
face. DO you find any neutral men in
that crowd down there? Have you heard
any neutral talk among our people? 1t
may not be 10 days before you will be
put to the best."
What test
70 CT 40
the other Every young man in our
town is fastening to volunteer. l am
too old to be taken now, but later on
may be forced into the ranks. 1t will
be a war in which the south will need
her last man. am not pledged to a
southern confederacy, but am pledged
to Virginia. l go with my state. You
have come down to cast your lot with u.s.
1t is for you to answer whether you are
for or against your adopted state
Think it over. If you wish to go north,
the routes are still open. If you wish
to remain, you will be asked why you
don t volunteer. l do not seek to infiu-
ence you. Be guided by your own con-
science. Tomorrow we will settle all
business matters between us. 1t may be
years before there is any further call
for our legal talents in this or any other
Virginia town. Military law will soon
override everything.
The old lawyer rose up and passed
down stairs On his way home without
further remark, leaving Royal Kenton
in brown study, which was interrupt
ed o minutes later 10y wild cheering on
the street. He went down to ascertain
the cause. and man who had just vol
unteered swung his hat and replied:
"Hooray! We uns is gwine to send
fellers right on to captur Washington
and ole Abe Lincoln!"
OH PTER TT