The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-02-26

his properties and his States rights
were his own under correct construc-
tion of the Constitution of the United
States, and could not be controlled by
the general government, at the same
time conceding to the other states the
same rights and privileges as claimed
for themselves. This question grew
into one Of vast discussion between
the two sections, the North claiming
that each state was but child Of tho
general governmental household, and
denied their right Of withdrawal there
from, but claimed that they must be
subject to the views Of the majority
OF the states of the general govern
mcmt. Hot -bloodcd frccmcn Of this
sunny cline resented the idea that
their rights, :hcir property, were not
their own, and their freedom of gov
crnmcnt being disputed was repulsiyc
to thcm they felt that their patriot
ism was challenged an their liberties
threatened. Never having brookcd
oppression, having been leaders in the
great political questions which had
previously stirred the councils Of this
great nation, and, by their logic, clio,
quence, and superior craftsmanship
had triumphcd in the causes they had
espoused, they were not now ready to
yield these questions which dealt 80
vitally with their institutions and
their rights, which affected 80 closely
their citizenship. These differences,
unfortuna tcly, could not be settled by
discussion in tho Union and under the
flag, hence camo, as the result, the one
great cause which wrought so many
changes in our land, and wiped out
forever the grandcst civilization the
world ever saw, the great movement
of Secession. South Carolina had
done what Rhode Island and Massa-
chusctts had threatened to do in 1912,
because that war was interfering with
New England $ foreign trade. It was
Now England's representative who
then claimed the right of secession
from the Union because the commerc @
Of those States we're affected thereby
but they denied this right when South
Carolina was driven to it by opprcs-
sivc measures. If right for them in
1872, then right for us in 1860.
The excitement consequent upon
this movement was wide spread
throughout the land. South Carolina,
patriotic, brave, and impulsive, was
first to declare her independence Of
her sister States, and announce with
impassioncd carnestncss her freedom
as a sovereign state, declaring her
readiness to defend her action with
the blood Of her sons. Soon other
States, similarly situated and holding
the same viows upon this constructio on
OF the constitution, joined her, and
ere long the stars and bars were un-
furled bys Confederate Congress Of
States, and the toosin of civil war was
sounded in our land from the noun
tains to the seaboard, calling men to
rally about it in defense of the princi-
pies and cause Of independent free
dom. I recall how this announcement
was received and celebrated. Fervid
oratory awoke in the people martial
spirit and the hope of battle. Soul
stirring music lent an inspiration to
the sentiment Of chivalry. Banners
OF Confederate oolors we're foated up
on the breeze; bonfires burned, pal
metto cockadcs made by tender hands
we're worn above brave hearts. Patrio-
tic songs sung by gentle voices in
keeping with the spirit of the times,
added softening influence to the
cheers Of the volunteers, and merry
bells chimed out the glorious hope of
expected war. The good women of
the land-God bless them-brcathe
an inspiring hopeand patriotism which
gave to men the proud consciousness
of right, and the dauntless courage of
heroes.
But amid all these scenes of patrio-
tic dis play, there were some who were
not in accord with the spirit about
them, as if fore-seeing the great TRACE
dy of the future. Many held different
views, but yielded. to the will OF the
majority, and fought for Secession
against their Judgment.
Rapidly upon these scenes came the
organization Of troops; the Confeder.
ate Government was established, and
was calling for an army to defend its
principles. Many of you remember
the call for volunteers; and it wss a