The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-08-14

inc South pour forward swiftly forming
IN the ranks OF war, and adopting fol
this occasion tho beautiful thought OF an
eloauont south Carolinian, can stand
oy inc roadside In old Virginia and wit.
ness tho sad and sublime spectacle OF
your young and vigorous columns in,
splred with as earnest and devoted a
patriotism as over led mon to battle
marching through Richmond to tho Pc.
tomac, like the gladiators Of ancient
Rome passing beneath the imperial
throne In the amphitheatrc and oxclaim
ing with upliftcd arms, Moraturi tc
salutant !"
And my countrymen, it was your own
hand that shouldcrod the musket, your
own breast which you laid bare to the
bullets Of tho onomy. You sent no sub
to your country with tho admirable
| patriotism Of that Northern gentleman,
| who being twittod in political campaign
on his war record, or rather tho absence
Of ono, replied in this strain: "My
competitor has told you Of tho service
ho rendered to tho country in tho last
war. Let mo toll you that l too acted an
humble part In that memorable contest
Whom tho tocsin Of war summoned tho
chivalry Of tho North to rally to tho
defonsc OF tho national honor, /, fellow
which glows in every American bosom,
hired substitute for that war, and tho
bones OF that man now lie bleaching on
the banks OF tho Chickahominy."
There may have been fcw Southern
men who sent substitutes. l have heard
OF but ono instance only and 1t happened
in this wise: Two Goorgians, Bridges
and Moore, wero prisoners Of war at
Fort Mclicnry. Bridges was suffering
from wound in the leg and on account
OF difficulty in walking, requested his
comrado Moore on one occasion to an
swer sick call for him. 1t seems that
Bridges had boon unwell and the prison
surgeon had givon him box Of little
liver pills for his maady. His pills were
out and he wanted moro. Ho instructed
Moore to answer in his name, to say he
WAS gotting better, but to ask for fresh
supply Of pills. Moore Chccrfully went
as Bridges substitute, fell into limo and
when his turn came answered to the
namo Of Bridges, and requested another
box Of the pills. The surgeon eyed Moore
narrowly: Bridges" he said, "yOu'ro
not well yet. Well, must change your
prescription Forthwith he picked up
retort, poured liquid from one vial,
tor" said Moore, :" don't think need
that; Pm getting better, doctor, the pill
will be enough, doctor, tho pills will do"
" No, they won't" roarcd the surgeon,
drink that, darn you, drink it, | say"
There WAS no help for it. Down went
the mixture.
When he rcturncdto quarters, Bridges
asked Moore il he got his pills. mo"
said Moore. Well, you needn't snap
my head on said Bridges. Bridges"
said Moore, with u groan, If you amt
well man in day or two, it won't be my
fault, for I've just swallowed the con-
foundcst dose OF medicine for you that
ever went down my throat"
No, my countrymon, it was your own
voice that answered to that call. No
mcrccnary bands were yours, no sovcr-
cign's shilling tempted you to deeds OF
blood, and 80 the eternal pen Of him who
shall writo the impartial truth of history
will never be able to record in the whole
story Of the four years struggle one
who fought among the slain for gold or
booty.
All, the depth and breadth of the
patriotism OF that day. Young mon of
the new South let mo tell you story
| which illustrates the dcathless devotion,
| the Spartan hcroism Of the men Of the
| old South Col. Sampson w. Harris, OF
the Sixth Georgia regiment, near the
| close OF tho war, was wounded in one OF
the battles around Richmond. He was
being carried to the rear, and while lying
on the straw In the ambulance, no heard
tho driver say to someone by tho road
side. Don't you want to ride ?" Tho
ambulance stopped, and he saw tho driver
reach down and pull a man up on the
seat beside him. Colonel Harris saw il
was wounded soldier. He spoke to tn.
man and asked how he was wounded
The poor follow turned in his seat ant
showed him. His right hand had beol
shot away at tho wrist. 1t WAS hangin,
by the shreds and tendons, the jaggct
bono sticking out from tho arm Witt
his loft hand, the soldier WAS claspiny
his wrist above the wound to stop tn,
flow OF blood. Looking at his severe,
: right hand, the man said to Col. Harris
II have wife and two little children a
homo and 80 far as know that's the onl,
support they have in all tho world" Anee
thon, as il ashamed Of his momcntary
weakness, ho said: "But | gave it tC
my country, and here's another she can
have If shc wants it,"
"a prince Of tho blood" said Col
Harris, "could have knclt at that mans
feet and learned tho lesson Of patriot.
ism"
Can you wonder that with spirit like
this animating tho soldiery Of the South
it took billions Of treasures and millions
/ Of men and four years Of desperate and
deadly struggle to form the bitter word
D surrender through their teeth. II
was this spirit which made tho army OF
r tho South tho most destructive engine
, OF war that ever blow on battle field its
breath of fire, or narrowed opposing
9 forces with it's teeth Of steel. 1t was this
spirit that left the record Of an army six
hundred thousand strong at its utmost
, fighting capacity which placed the names
} OF seven hundred and fifty thousan d
wounded and disabled survivors Of the
enemy on tho pension rolls Of the Unitcd
States, and which enrolled on tho lists OF
Confederate captives tho names OF two
hundred and sevonty five thousand Fed.
oral prisoners OF war
And with all due honor to the gallant
foos in blue who mot you in tho sam
culinary conflict. it can DO truthfully
said that your roll OF captivcs would bo
| qtill lon Uar if unnr hrooth ,n,,lJ ko...