The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-05-18

anu thdU is mat INC sooner everybody
learns that fact and acts accordingly,
the better it will be for all concerned.
Happily for us, at the time of
which we speak, both courage and
conservatism were blended in our
great leader. a less courageous man
would not have dared to undertake
the task; a less conservative man
would have precipitated the most
bloody tragedy in the worlds history.
But as we move on down the
current of history we find that patriot
ism still thrives in Southern soil.
When the United States decided to
90 to the help of downtrodden and
oppressed Cuba by breaking the force
OF SPANS %tyrannical rule, the South
stood ready to aid in the noble work.
On the basis of "The Joint Resolu-
ton" passed by Congress we Joined
our forces with the North and went
forth i'll the Cause of Liberty. And
let me here say hal the South will
ever demand that the solemn contract
in reference to the freedom of
Cuba shall cvcr be carried out. SO
in that struggle Southern patriotism
was illustrated in such heroic leaders
as Fitzhugh Lee and Joe Wheeler.
Why, sir, the South furnished the
first blood that was split in the tragedy,
and that was when brave ensign Bag
ley, of North Carolina, fell at Car
dcnas. 1t was our own Victor Blue,
of the Pee Dee Section of South Caro-
lima, who, like Francis Marion of
Revolutionary fame, crossed the fiery
lines of the enemy at pleasure and
brought us the first official tidings of
the situation in Cuba. 1t was Il
Georgia boy, Lieut.. Brumby, Dcwcy's
fag-licutcnant, who first raised the
stars and stripes ovcr Manila.
1t was old a .1ama that furnished
he heroic Ho, son, the famous Hob
son, the much-praised Hobson, the
much.kissed Hobson, who performed
the perilous task of sinking the Merri-
mac. Some one has said that Hobson
did two things the Spanish Navy has
never been able to do-sunk an Ameri.
can vessel and made a Spanish Man-of
War float in security.
But why speak further of the pa
triotism of the Southern people? Every
period Of u history bears ~uudying
testimony to the fact that that they are
the most heroic people on the face OF
the earth. Almost every battlefield
within our borders is stained with the
precious blood of Southern soldiery.
10 them we are largely indebted for
the establishment of freedom in this
country of ouls and their voices have
ever been lifted in the interest of Lib
erty everywhere.
Aud o a word to you good women
My friends, let me urge you to ever
strive to perpetuate the precious men,
DRY of IL honored heroes and to incul-
cate the great spir,t'of pat:oitlsm. In
the library of Congress at Washington,
is a series of mural decorations, illus
trating 1.-THE Virtues = F%ortitude,
Justice, Patriotism, Temperance, Pru-
dence, Industry and Concord. The one
L uViiobicIh II VhC nSutG Vi
a woman about five and a half feet high,
clad in drapery and standing out on a
solid red background. She is repre-
sented as feeding an eagle the emblem
of America, from a golden bowl. The
purpose is to symbolic the nourlsh-
mens given by patriotism to the spirit
OF the nation. What a beautiful con-
ception! May you catch It's inspiration
and strive even more earnestly to
nourish our people on the spirit of pa
triotism.
And to you, my young friends, let me
say that 1T is incumbent upon us to
show that the spirit that animated our
fathers still burns in the hearts OF their
posterity. May you drink deeply of
the golden bowl of patriotism and go
forth to lives of heroic service for your
country.
And now a parting word to these
dear honOred veterans.
Mr.. Duncan here made a touching re-
ference to the last days Of the Vete-
rams.