Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1904-06-09
MEMORIAL ADDRESS
Delivered by Rev. John Kingsley
Ford. at Sequachee, May goth.

more resolutions about the evil but
nothing else was done. 1t reminded
me OF the story Of the boy who owned
an old.time muzzle loading shotgun,
and some one was causing much trouble
in the chicken coop. Every time
chicken was m ssing he would put an
other load in his old gun. One day he
was telling man about it, and the
friend said "Well, why don't you
shoot it Off" The boy replied, I'm
afraid to, the blamed old thing would
kick too hard"
We have let these weeds of crime
grow and flourish till they have gone to
seed. What we need now is good
grubbing hoe in the hand of man not
afraid of its kick" and up with these
weeds root and branch before they
place another of our Presidents on the
martyred list. Men of the Grand Army
Of the Republic, up and at them. Let
not their accursed power be felt again.
RUN POWER.
One OF the greatest evils known today,
one which threatens more destruction
and greater calamity than any known
war has ever made, is this evil of gi-
gantc proportions, the rum power. One
which places its hellish fangs upon
every home and heart in this fair land
OF ours. In every home, at every fire.
side, in every pocket is its power felt
1t demands that we sacrifice 100. 900 boys
and girls every year upon its altar. 1t
is filling our jails, penitentiaries, in
sane asylums and almshouses with its
victims. Murders our loved ones in
cold blood before our eyes and then
| fiaunts its right to do this Legitimate
business" in our face. Pathetic indeed
comes the cry from the mothers of A.
merica: "Ye who protected our homes
and land from the cause Of human slav-
cry, protectus now from this slavery OF
rum" Comrades OF the q. A. R., will
we stand with folded arms and hear the
heart cry of the mothers of our land and
say, II am very sorry but it is none OF
my business? WilLnot the pathos oil
mothers cry stir within you all the
patriotic fire of the olden days and
cause you to spring as one man into Q
solid phalanx to the rescue? Then
by and by your grave will be in the
rose garden because you made glad thf
sorrowing heart OF some poor lonely
mother. This very beautiful story
came to me one day and have saved it
Perhaps it may help some of you tt
make profitable decision for right jus
now:
Late in the afternoon of tho frs
day of July we reached the picturesque
town oflHanover. Near the cross-road
were lying the bloated carcasSes of hal
a dozen cavalry horses, evidently slair
in brief skirmish between Pleasan
toms and Stewards troops, a few hour
before our arrival.
Close to the road, near the scene o
the cavalry fight, stood farm house, a
the gate of which was an old-fashionet
pump and horse trough. The pun
handle was in constant motion, as th
weary, foot-sore soldiers focbed arounC
it to quench their thirst with the de
licious water that flowed into the mos
sy trough.
Coming up and waiting for my turl
to drink, noticed sunburnt, grey
haired man leaning over his rude gate
watching the troops. He was dresse
in faded, well-worn suit of homespun
having no doubt spent the day in th
hay field; and could see that he wa
pleased thai his pump was doing sue
good service.
Good evening, SIR said l to hin
removing my cap, and hopping the per
spiratiOn from my face. It's rather no
weather, this, for marching%
"'I 'spose tbs, though never did an
marching, was his brief response.
"As the old farmer uttered the word
he moved a little, and my eye was a
traeted by now-made grave among
clump of rose bushes, just inside th
! fence. Wondering at the sight, | vel
tured to ask the reason for its bein
there.
"'Whose grave is that? said l, poin
. ing to the mound of fresh earth.
"a reb's. he answered laconicalll
One that got killed in a fight th
o horseman had here to-day
I Indeed! and SO you buried him
d "'Yes; buried him myself. They le
S him YIN in the road out thar, just 4
}, be fell. could do no less, you know
b "'Of course. But why did you max
5 your rose garden graveyard?
r. "'Wa-al, it was the wimmen hi
p wanted il So Yer see, stranger al
II the old mans voice trembled and gre
e. husky see, 1 had boy once. Il
r. went out with the Pennsylvania r
?, saryes. and fou't along with McClella