The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1898-03-08
THE WOMEN or CAROLINA.
A Beautiful Tribute to Our Women
Which Was Written by AN Italian
Poet.

A Beautiful Tribute to Our Women
Which Was Written by an Italian
Poet.
Capt. w. A. C%ourtenay, OF Newry.
has republished the "Tribute to Caro-
linian women, from the Italian poet
and historian, lCaro Botta, translated
by the late Mary Bates OF Charleston,
S. g., 1850" Capt. Courtenay'5 edition
is printed in Elezever type upon oil d
parchment, and is issued in That uu-
selfish and patriotic spirit which char
acterizes his many services to the
preservation of South Carolina history
The following is the text
"ln that fierce struggle, the war Of
the American Revolution, tho women
of Carolina presented an example of
fOrtitude more than manly. | know
not the history, ancient or modern,
which has recorded q story Of devotion
exceeding or equailiug that eXhibi; ed
by these heroic beings to their Ameri.
a country. Far from considering the
epithet, a reproach, they gloried and
exulted in the name of Rebel Women.
Instead Of frequenting public re-
sorts of gayety and amusement, they
repaired to the sides Of the ships and
to other places where their husbands,
brothers, sons and friends were held
prisoners, and sought by every art to
sustain and animate them. BE firm,
they said ; yield not prefer prison u
ignomy, and death to servitude look
on America, our beloved country
cherish the hope that your suffering
will hasten and secure priceless liber.
ty be martyrs, but martyrs in u caus'
sacred to man and grateful to Cod BY
such words did these heroic cwOmer
mitigate the suiferings of the unhappy
prisoners.
"When the British officers in theil
dazzling regalia assembled at "a mill
tary festival or gay concert their en-
tertainments and the invaders them
selves were regarded with contempt b,
these spirited women. But when ;
prisoner, an officer of the American
army came into Charleston, lmmedi
ately he was received with courtesy
and followed by every mark Of distinc
ton and Difference.
while some of these devoted wo
men retired to the most secluded ap
artment to weep and mourn over tn,
fortune OF their beloved country, other
SO encouraged and inspired their hus
bands and relatives, when waverlns
and irresolute, that they preferred th,
discOmforts Of exile to the indulgencict
OF home.
Not IA few Of the Carolina womcl
were SO hated by the British, on ac
count OF their c~Opstancy, that they SUI
fered the coLiiscatiOn OF their propcrt,
and Punishment from their country
When this band Of patriots bade adie,
to their husbands and brothers, the,
exhibited no sign of weakness, bu
presented an example OF masculine .
feminine tirmncss,-I know not which
in their CASE to say. With unwaver
ing .fortitude they lett their nativ,
shores, departing in prison-ships TO
distant land.
=" Many born and educated in th,
midst OF wealth, not only renounccC
It's advantages for themselves and fam
lilies, but engaged in coarse labOrs ant
performed the most mental services
This they did nOt only with rcsigna
ton, but with joy. Their example wa,
inspiring ; and it is owing, principally
to the frmness OF these patriotic Caro-
llnians that the name as we'll as the
love OF liberty was not eXtinguiShed il
the Southern States. From tnis the
English knew h a they were engaged
In an enterprise much more difficult
than they had al first imagined. Foi
the surest sign of success in a public
enterprise, as well as the most decided
proof OF h united opinion Of a nation
ID that oma has engaged in that
enterprise with all the powers of her
imagination, which, although when
calm Is more yielding end variable
thar that Of man, is when excited and
~enkindled, more tenacious and power