The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1896-06-17

ert Lee lived IN our time, was SUBJECT
to such temptations as we are, over.
came them all and wearing the white
flower of a blameless character won
mis- way to Immortality among the
sons of men.
Would we teach our children to be
strong let US point them to this man
who despising every vice husbanded
we'll every resource, bore all hardshlps
and was still sturdy.
Would we have them brave and
courageous, point them to this leader
OF our people who stood in conscience's s
cause unmoved by storms OF shot and
she'll.
Would We have them patient and
forbearing point them to this man
who when he was reviled, reviled not
again and is yet exalted
Would we instil in them q pure
ambition let them behold i'll our Lee
only that ambition which was ever
held subservient to country and to
duty.
Would we have them dutiful, point
them to this man who refusing honors
profit and preferment KEEP. duty as his
guiding star and emolazoned with his
that noblest precept of Of his pen,
Duty is the sublimest word in our
language"
Would we Gro wn their lesser virtues
with the bright diadem Of christians
faith point them to this Cody man as
Christlike in bearing the burdens OF
Others. he reposes his trust in God,
becomes in His service as little child,
and meets death as calmly Y as the babe
falls asleep on his mothers bosom
All! To tell the birthday and the
deathday of such man, to enumer-
ate the honors won, the promotions
gained, to chronicle the NOM sntous
events of a noble life-these things
are easy. But who can estimate the
worth of such life2 What words can
tellits mighty influence? Rising above
the dust of common lives, pure, Sc.
rene, sublime, it mocks at the words
of men, studied praise, fulsome eulo
gy, or dowery panegyric. Sprlnging
amid scenes of sin and sorrow it re
stores our faltering faith in human
nature, and reaching out to the divine
finds an abiding home in the bosom
of the eternal God.
And now I have almost finished.
Trying in such poor way as could 10
discharge the trust put into my hands
by your favor has been with me a
labor OF lov". Dear to me are al! the
traditions OF my people, sacred to me
ali the precious memories that cluster
upon the pages of their history.
And now three decades and more
have passed since on that April mora
ing our peerless chieftain sheathed his
stainless sword. That day nations
hopes were buried, that day the ban
ner of the stars and bars was furled in
defeat but not in dishonor, and every
one Of that faithful army, though foot
sore, weary and poverty stricken laid
down his arms, yet left that 1eid in
spirit unconquered and unconquera-
BILE, the proud possessor of the noolest
treasure that thrills the heart Of man,
honor unstained and integrity unim.
peached.
Returning to his war stricken home
the Confederate soldier conpassed
again with his energies the arts Of
peace. Again the Southern hillside
blossomed and bore IT'S bounty of
bursting oolls. Once again the radiant
valleys smiled with their burden of
golden grain and gave of their in
crease to willing workers. No more
the dread Of cruel foe blanched the
cheeks of faithful womanhood. Once
again the roses bloomed about the cot
tage door, the honeysuckle and the
morning glory twined about the lin
tells. At eve the lowing herds come
peacefully home to yield their sweet
supply of nourishment. Aad the set
ting sun with its sheen of glory gilds
the Southern mothers fair brow as
with her little brood clinging about
her she comes forth to greet her lord
returning from the harvest field. One
smile from her compensates for all the
days hard toll. One pressing Of her
lips charms from him all WEAKNESS
away.
From toll he wins his spirits light,
From busy day the peaceful night
Rich, from the very want Of wealth,
In heavens best treasures, love, home, peace
and health"
And so from the ashes of wars des-
olation new homes have arisen. From
the depths of despair new hopes have
been born. Time, the great healer,
has dealt kindly with this people and
the future is bright with beauteous
prospect. The warrior grown gray
gathers about him a new generation,
into their keeping transmits trust
faithfully kept and himself reposes IN
a well earned peace.
Peace in the quiet dales,
Made rankly fertile by the blood Of men;
Peace in the woodland and the lonely glen;
Peace in the peopled wales!
Peace in the crowded town,
Peace in a thousand fields Of waving grain,
Peace in the highway and the towery lane,
Peace on the wind-swept lawn.
tdCt Ol INC uilI LIZ HIdSLSJ
Peace where the scholar thinks the hunter
roams,
Peace, God Of peace. peace, peace in all our
homes,
And peace in all our hearts.
And in this blessed peace it is yours,
my venerable countrymen, to spend
the evening of your lives, and yet in
the present peace we do not forget the
past. Your deeds are craven upon the
hearts of this generation. The story
of your valor and devotion to duty we
will cherish, guard faithfully and
transmit to posterity for fond hearts
have taught it U.s. There is one whose
approving smile is all the world to
me, and whether it be when hear
from her lips the story of him whose
name in part | bear, and who fell
with Pickett at Gettysburg, or wheth-
er it be when at the feet Of him who
gave me my other name l hear how
pleasant a thing it was to follow the