New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-05

upon the battlefield but in the paths Of peace.
I, is The story Of an unobtrusive yet useful
career Colonel Iathers played his part In the
Civil War but chiefly as peacemaker. Alive
to the perils Of secession, he aided in the ram
ing in New-York Of an appeal to the SOUTH
personally bearing 81 TO the great southern
cities While he was addressing a large gamer
ing at Mobile the news came that Sumter hed
been attacked. and the address was at once ter
minated. But the peace loving Southerner-ior
Colonel Iathers was born and bred in South
Carolina-persevered in his mission until at
New-Orleans he was met by the mayor with a
polite but firm order to Quit the city at once
Returning to New-York. Colonel Lathers
Joined in the work OF organizing volunteers and
raising war funds. But he was essentially a
peacerakers. and the happiest hours of his life
came after the war. when leaders Of North and
South fraternized at his home. II is not dif-
fcuIt 10 perceive that home always had sa-
cred meaning i'm Richard Lather's eyes. for the
pages Of this biography. which is a unique pro-
duction in more ways than one. contain many
pleasant "reminiscences OF family and social gath
erings at his various residences in New-York
Pitieneld. Charleston. the Ca;skills and New
Rochelle. That he was pioneer OF the last
named place is one OF Colonel Lathers's proud
es; boasts and that its present prosperity is due
in no small measure TO his devotion 10 its IN
terests must be manifest to those who recall
the earlier period Of his life in this suburban
town. The biography contains a characteristic
incident. reprinted from a September 1Ss2 issue
Of The New-York Tribune. revealing at once
the colonel's generosity and sound business
sense:
About this time 0S41) the Guion farm, of
sixty. or seventy acres now West New-Rochelle.
was offered for sale. TO close an estate having
a boundary the north and east by the road'
and on the west by Colonel Lather's property
II was offered to him FOR $4,000, but he de-
clined it. and then. to protect himself, onered
81 coo for il. A broker called on him and said;
We are now offered Sl2OOo, but we 90 not
like to sell without giving you the option as
a lot of Germans alongside of it. Lathers
asked what was the occupation OF these people
II was replied: Some Of them clerks in
shops some are mechanics and others are la
work for a living?' The broker said. II sup
pose they do" To which Lathers added: And
want "a homestead. Mr. Broker, sell TO them. l
would prefer to have activity and industry FOR
my neighbOrs rather than poor gentlemen VINO
give great responsibility to a place, but no
progress. a misfortune at this time depressing
the value of property in New-Rochelle
In addition 10 much interesting biographical
data. the volume contains several important
addresses delivered by Colonel Lathers. notably
the appeal to the South and an address pre-
South Carolina Taxpayers Convention of 1871.
Southern chivalry and gallantry are tyPined In
an address at New-ROchelle on Woman and
Her Relations to Society" All this goes far to
enlist the interest and sympathy of those out
side the Grand Army Of the Republic post for
which the biography was compiled.