Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-10-16
atlistellaneuas Reading.
REMsERT FOR DEFENSE.
EIIoouent Plea of Former Member Of
the First Regiment.


mans regiment, was the second speak
er in the Tillman trial today. He Is
quite youthful in fact, and more so in
appearance. Very little more than a
sophomore effort was expected from
this young man. He had proceeded but
short while when he claimed the at
tention Of all. During the entire course
of his speech he was logical, and at
times eloquent. 1t was when he reach
ed his peroration that the triumph was
scored. When he pictured Jim Till
man as a colonel, beloved by privates
and next apostrophized by his wife,
mother and baby girls. there were
many tears shed In the court room.
Strong men cleared their throats. wo-
men were washed in tears and four
Jurors that noticed wept. There was
weak feeling about the eyes of all as
Rembert feelingly closed his speech.
There was a place upon a certain
day when a regiment which had sworn
to uphold the honor Of South Carolina
was on the march. The way was long,
the sun was hot, and the men were
very weary. The colonel rode beside
his men, watching the toiling lines.
He saw a soldier stagger, he rode up to
him. dismounted, aided the weary SOL
dier to his horse and taking his gun.
trudged away in the dust and heat. A
cheer went up which passed from rank
to rank and others, weary, too. took
heart and Drawing thirst and dust and
heat, marched OIL. And who was that
man?
Wait, gentlemen, wait. A tent was
spread beneath the setting sun. In 1t
a dying soldier lay. No kindred how
cred round the spot, but far away, per-
haps, a mother was signing for her alb
sent boy. A man stood beside him and
held his dying hand. Tears were In his
eyes, but a word Of cheer and comfort
was on his lips. He who lay there
looked up into his coloners eyes and
smiled-and smiling, passed into the
great beyond. The man closed the
dead eyes with reverence, dashed the
tears from his eyes and passed out.
Who was that man?
Gentlemen of the jury, there he sits
james H. Tillman, colonel Of the
First South Carolina regiment. He
was the friend Of all and not too proud
to know the humblest private, and not
one of them ever went to him to ask
for help in vain. The sword that the
boys gave him still adorns his walls,
and the medal they gave him Is still
all honored relic in his room.
1.-The boys are waiting now for you,
gentlemen to vindicate their colonel.
I'VE concede to those who are
against us all the privileges of the law.
We feel for him whose life has ebbed
away. We feel for the brothers who
are left behind to mourn. We feel for
the desolate wife, whose life has been
darkened forever.
When I think Of his distinguished
kinsman, taking the place of a father
to the prisoner at the bar. I feel that
can fearlessly say to him, remembering
the great services he has rendered to
his native state: South Carolina has
no cause to cast dishonor on your
name!'
when I think of his aged mother,
bowed down by time and trouble, to
whom one touch Of her beloved boy Is
worth more than all that wealth can
give-and know that her hair Is whit
ening beneath the torture that her son
is suffering-I feel that l can say to
her: Your life may be nearing it's
last milestone. but your troubles, too,
are nearing their end. Your boy Is
yours to comfort you; your boy is yours
20 guide you-to close your eyes with
loving reverence when you go out to
sea-
When 1 think Of his wife. so noble,
standing by him In this great trouble,
and by her every action branding as
lies the many tales Of scandal that
have been breathed into the public ear.
feel that I can say to her: Never
again can a touch of scandal darken
yOuE lllS vi HIS WllCiC lohS Hta'' oiioiiS
so bright
When 1 think of his little girl
with all the long stretch Of years be-
twixt childhood and the bloom Of wo-
manhood-and see her looking into her
fathers eyes. with all the love and rev.
erence that God can give human
child, feel that can say to her: BE
of good cheer: you won't lose your
father little one; he's coming home
again.
when I think of the boys, my COM
rades in the First regiment, some here
and some far away, and know how they
loved him and for what cause, I feel
that 1 can say to them: Your colonel
still may WELD unsullied the sword that
you in honor gave him.
When think Of South Carolina that
he has loved and served, l feel that
can say to her: old state you need
such SONS to love and serve you STILL
And when I look on him and know
how he has suffered, feel that I can
say to him, belonging the justice re-
hrrted in your eyes from the throne
OF God Rejoice! Your suffering Is
ended. Your vindication Is at hand.
The morrow will witness your welcome
hnmu!"
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