Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1907-10-02
THE CONFEDERATE STATES
AND
THE FLAG THAT WENT DOWN
AND
written for the Keowee Courier by
J. Russell Wright.)

y. russell Wrlgnt.)
A little over forty years ago a
young country sprang at once among
the mighty nations of the world,
maintaining principles tinctuIed by
the blood of revolutionary patriots,
and illustrated by brilliant military
genius. Borne forward by the in
trepid, the dauntless, the unconQuer-
able Valor ot her sons she seemed
destined to win assured existence in
the teeth Of formidable odds, and to
wrest her independence from the
hand OF fate. But the crash finally
came, and that country with her flag
went down into the grave wrapped
In her own blood-dyed and battle
torn starry cross, with all her dis
armed and broken-hearted children
gathered around and shedding the
tears OF an inconsolable grief. Its
sun, which lad dazzled the eyes or
the world, went down at Appomattox
But no country ever rose SO fair, and
none ever fall SO pure. There Is a
devotion to the Confederate flag that
is as strong as the love Of humanity.
There Is nothing in this world that
could induce the Southern people to
surrender their affections for it. 1t
went down without other stain than
the blood of martyrs. The survivors
OF that noble army who followed in
the flash and smoke Of battle remem-
Der .oow their brothers at their side,
with prayer on their lips for the
right, fell dead from shot and shell
while pressing on to victory and to
death. There is now but one flag,
and there Is to be but one, but those
who fought under the Confederate
nag and were true to IT will never
think enough Of any government or
life itself, to surrender their respect
for that most sacred emblem in all
the world to them; and the children
OF those who were true Confederate
soldiers will respect that flag as long
as parental influence exists. The true
soldier who fought in the front Of
battle forgets not the past, but with
the lnfricst pride and tenderest de-
votion turns to the old flag as turns
the sunfiower to the SUI. The SOL
diers of the South, who, in the heat
OF battle, stood for honor, her rights
and her life held the old flag then
and will hold 1t now supreme in their
hearts. while her daughters, unwav-
ering in their loalty and love, will
ever crown the old Confederate flag
queen of song and star of chivalry.
That flag had a patriotic and gall
liant army to defend 1t, and 1t waved
over the Confederate army that
guarded It's citadel defiantly for four
long years. And to lower that flag
(hear 1T all ye lands,) 1t required
2,75O,OOO gallant and well-equipped
Federal soldiers four years, fighting
hundreds OF battles, with loss of
more than hall a million men, and
at cost in money OF near five mil
lion dollars.
This statement Is a fact OF history,
and 1t Is also historic fact that the
Confederate States had on their army
rolls from the first to last during the
four years strife, in round numbers
less than 100000 men.
1t matters but little whether the
Confederate soldier that fell under
this flag on the battlefield sleeps
In an unknown and unmarked grave,
or under the little mound Of green
grass, or under the marble shaft, it
is equally patriotic rest, and a
hero's grave. His gallant and de-
voted spirit passed from us IN the
din and smoke OF battle. We should
not forget the boys in gray, who are
scattered all over the South, known
only to Him who can tell where Moses
sleeps. But the hand that makes the
thunders roar can come down every
spring and paint with bright coiors
the little wild flowers that grow on
their graves.
We have trophies that belong to !
history which we hold sacred Our
old flag now known as the Con |
quered Banner" plucked by the hand |
OF fate from among the symbolical !
emDlems OF nationality, finds a niche I
fayh "a Inf