The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1899-11-08
TRIBUTE TO MRS. P1cKENs.
a LOVELY AND TOUCHING SCENE.

/
The following is brief outline O
the excellent address delivered b,
Rev. DIR. l.. II. Gwaltney, at the me
mortal services at the grave OF the lat,
Mrs. e. w. Pickens, the services beinl
conducted by the Ladies' Memoria
Association OF Edgefield. Dr.. Gwalt
ney Is the beloved pastor Of the Baptis
church In that town, and man o
brains and eloquence. The speaker
said in part:
appreciate the honor OF being thus
associated with the Memorial Society
OF Edgeie]d in the touching and beau
tiful ceremony of this quiet hour
Dead must be the soul that is not
warmed to generous enthusiasm cold
and hard as adamant must be the heart
unmoved by tender emotions on an oc.
casion like this.
the "sere and yellow leaf" entered
thls village cemetery to take my part
In burytng an honored citizen. Since
linen there have been many changes.
Inc order of nature has continued in
lts unchanged course. The sun has
come forth daily, "rejoicing as strong
man TO run race, and more than 500
moons Fave waxed and waned in their
appointed orbits. The planets and
stars have kept their courses and
stations In unimaginable space, the
orace the sweetly coy, yet faithful
horizon, seed time and harvest have
remained" the increase of fields, and
herds, and hocks has been yearly
gathered for the toiler's use, spring
and autumn flowers, bright gifts Of
heavens lavish bounty, have come in
their season to gladden. our senses with
perfume and beauty. All these have
continued 'as they were." Not so,
not 80 with the children of men.
Ihey must come and co." their
earthly places knowing them no more
forever. Alas that he who was made
lord OF all things that live on earth,
that he N lst be stricken from the seat
Oh qomln1on and stately honor.
HOW many hundreds, during the
last lorty years, have come to their
graves In this cemetery l know not,
but do know that many noble sons
and daughters of noble ancestry sleep
around us today, and you, their child.
rem, 90 we'll to cherish with becoming
PRIDE the memory of their faithful
liVes. 1t Is becoming in you to rejoice
that such lives constitute heritage
which no DEGREES or schemes of men can
take away.
Nor s should we repine when we think
OF the happy past in which our lives
blended in part with the lives of those
we honorcd and loved. | know it has
been written, sorrows crown OF sor-
row Is bering happier things"
do MOI quite Delieve it. Some memo.
'ies OF happier things are link I'd with
unutterably sweet and precious emo
tions. True, "the tender grace" of
the years that are dead will come to
US no more, but we drank their brim-
ming cup Of Joy as they passed, and now
we remember them with an ever in
creasing wealth of tenderness and
as were the brighter things OF those
happy days.
need not call the names of The
noble dead whose dust you might ind
beneath this almost sacred soil "The
world holds record" OF their names and
deeds, their dauntless courage, their
lofty patriotism, their fidelity to every
generous impulse and conviction OF
duty.
will venture to say that not anoth-
er single acre OF this broad continent
cherishes In it's embrace the dust of so
many heroic men and gracious wo-
men. They had their faults, ali men
have, but high antiments of truth,
and right, and generosity, and loyal
devotion characterized their speech,
and adorned their private and public
walk.
This day and this occasion will
justify me in making mention of two
who sleep so we'll their last sleep be-
meath our teardimmed eyes, Francis
Wilkerson Pickens, and his worthy
consort, Lucy Holcombo Pickens.
They were cast in no ordinary mould.
Not often have superior dignity and
manliness, beauty and grace been COM
bined In earthly companionship. AS
minister from the United States, this
honored son of South Carolina carried
his Texas bride to the brilliant court
Of ST. Petersburg. Amid it's splendor
and It's brilliant galaxy of eminent
men and beautiful women, no scant
courtesy md honor was shown to these
representatives Of republican simplic-
ity and strength. They might have
remained there, beloved and honored
by the noblest OF continental circles,
spending life of ease and ideal
earthly happiness, but when perils
threatened their beloved State and
scarcely less beloved Southland, th ese
patriots turned from the riches and
pleasures OF court life and FASTENED to
cast their lot with "their own" pre-
ava ''E w oohSi hhAiSUlOuo "lUu Unoul
rather than enjoy the safety and
charming luxury of European life.
True, such sacrifice others have made,
but such sacrifice thousands have been
unwilling to make. Noble souls stand
linked In sympathy and high endeavor,
whether they be of peasant or princely
blood.
AS war governor OF his native
State, Hon. F.. w. Pickens stood among
the foremost in unmoved stead fast.
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 forner 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 troubloue
times.
After his death, Mrs. Pickens be-
came deeply interested in the effort tC
erect a monument on our public square
to the memory of our Confederate
dead. memorial society was fc. .net
| nplar hn IL,