The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-11-16

threatened their beloved State and
scarcely less beloved Southland, these
patriots turned from the riches and
pleasures OF court life and hastened to
cast their lot with "their own," pre-
fcrring to suffer Affections with them
rather than enjoy the safety and
charming luxury OF European life.
True, such sacrifice others have made,
but such sacrifice thousands have been
linked In sympathy and high endeavor,
wheth her they be Of peasant or p, nicely
blood.
As "war governor of his native
State, Hon. f. w. Pickens stood among
the foremost in unmoved steadfast,
ness, in passionate ardor, in uucom.
planning fortitude, in glowing patrio
tism. His devoted wife was not one
witt his inferior in steadfastness, in
ardor, In fortitude, in patriotism.
When the civil war ended many citi-
zens Of the South moved from their
country, their States, their old neigh
borhoods and former associations.
Governor Pickens elected to abide the
fortunes OF his neighbors, and work
with them for the reconstruction OF
government and social life. How we'll
he served in this regard is known to
those who still survive those troublous
times.
After his death, Mrs. Pickens be-
came deeply Interested in the effort to
erect monument on our public square
to the memory of our Confederate
dead. A memorial society was formed
under the inspiration of her fervid
patriotism, and she was elected it's
first president. The fast revolving
years closed the life Of her only child,
the beloved Douscha.- Then, widowed
and chlldless, eha ga-C her love and en-
ergy to the one aim of completing the
monument, and thus blending her own
name imperishably with the names
OF the men she honored as patriot
heroes.
Why this noble enterprise has 30
long fingered in It's accomplishment,
I"know not. Her: deepest and strongest
desire was to complete 1t before her
DEATH. 1t stirs the generous heart
With deep regret and sadness that this
desire was not fulfilled. She has fallen
ere her seif-appointed work was
finished, but this work has been COM
mitted to worthy and faithful hands.
l commend to your cordial support the
president and members of the Memo.
rial Association.
Citizens Of Edgefeld, join heart and
hands with them, and finnish the mar
Bile shaft that shall tell your posterity
how the patriotic women of Edgefield
loved and honored the "men VINO wore
the grey" These women, noble in
themselves, and ennobled by the task
they will accomplish, and we, their CO.
| workers, will soon finish all the to le
| and sacrifices OF lie. We linger and
work yet little while beneath ou1
bright Southern sky, and we also shall
find our resting place In this little
city Of the dead"
Through sorrows night, and dangers
path,
Amid the deepening gloom,
We, soldiers of a heavenly king,
Are merching to the tomb.
Our labors done securely laid
In this our last retreat,
Unheedtd DER our silent dust
The storms Of life shall burst.
Yet not thus lifeless in the grave
The vital spark shall lie;
For DER lifes wreck that spark shall rise
10 seek it's kindred sky.
These ashes, ,oo-this little dust
Our Fathers care shall keep,
| Until the final trump shall break
The long and dreaty sleep.
Then loves soft dew, DER every eye
Shall shed it's mildest rays,
And our long-silent dust shall rise,
With shouts of endless praise"