Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1897-09-22


men of the same race about equal
Defective organization and bat
leadership will throw the scale il
favor of the troops endowed with
The opposite of these defects, but
as a rule the average American
makes the best soldier in the
world. So I repeat the war was
not unmixed evil. We came out
of it, both sides, with much respect
for each other, and a higher re-
gard for the fighting qualities OF
each.
Some of you may remember that
the Federal dead lay upon the bat
tlefeld for several days after Nc
Dowells hasty and precipitate re-
treat from Bull Run to Washing
ton on the 21st of july, 1861. The
"seventy-fve thousand ninety day
men" went back faster and wiser
after feeling the touch of Beaure-
CARDS and Johnston's steel. Ny
company, the Edgefeld Hussars,
reached Manassas the day after the
fighting, 30 that we enjoyed all the
fervor and enthusiasm Of our VIC
tory without the perils of the battle
Among the members Of that COM
pany was the lamented Jim Rob-
ertson, private soldier, long since
dead. The day after our arrival
he asked permission to ride over
the battlefield. On his return that
night he said to me: "Captain, I
have seen lots of dead and wonnd-
ed Yankees lying on the battle
field and in the field hospitals. I
talked with a good many of the
wounded, and, captain, they are
just like folks" Jim evidently
expected to see something not
"llke folks" and was doubtless
surprised to see Yankees stand on
two legs, without horns and hoofs.
And so it was with the Yankees.
They were prepared no doubt to
see "Re5els" with rings in our
noses, with horns and tails. {,
Perhaps this is exaggeration,
but It is entirely within the limits
Of verify to say the people of the
two sections did not know OF ap-
preciate each other. They do now,
and if in the future there should
unhappily be another clash of arms
between any of the sections of this
country it will be entered upon
with full knowledge of the fight
ing qualities Of the American SOL
dier, certainly of those who CROSS
ed swords in the late war.
But, my comrades, there will be
no occasion to resort to war for the
settlement of any controversies
that may arise between US. Let
US hope that reason and enlight.
ened discussion and forhearance
will reign instead, and that dis
passionate Difference to opposing
opinions will refer all disputes to
the law and the ballot box. For
would feel, my comrades,
fully compensated for the sacrifices
we have made and sufferings we
have endured if I could live to see
the law, the supreme law of the
land, take control or all our differ.
ences, and settle them within tho
domain Of enlightened reason and
to see domestic order maintained
in triumphant supremacy over
passion and lawlessness in all
parts of the country. 1t has be-
conoo eo-aa--l--->----=-;-
beeaf steering references to SO much
talk about Confederate soldiers.
These sneers can generally be
traced to some renegade, during or
since the war, who skulked him
self when the battle ragged, or fawn-
ed upon the victors when the
sounds of the guns died away, or
possibly to some degenerate son
who is wanting in ancestral pride
and would desecrate the graves of
fallen heroes. The Confederate
soldiers, the survivors of that
splendid host, performed their duty
in the trying days of reconstruc-
ton and since, as valiantly and
as in the armies of
the Confederacy.
But for their wisdom and pa
tience, forbearance and patriotism,
the heel of the victor would have
crushed the lives of their descend
ants into the depths of oblivion
and annihilation. Poverty and
temptation could not seduce them
from the paths of rectitude and
manly self-reliance, and the sneers
of subservient and selfish time
serqers will not divert them from
the right of duty to their country
now.
Wishing J ou, grim veterans of a
glorious cause, every blessing you
have 80 richly earned let me, IN
parting, invoke the continued fa-
vors of divine providence and the
affectionate regard of a grateful
country.
Wagon Harness, Buggy Harness,
Wagon and Buggy Whips, Harness
Leather, Lace Leather &c, at W. W.
Adams.