The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-02-15
Camp jenkins No. 627.

officers for another year or to be
present and take part in the anniver-
sary of our great leader, Robert E.
Lee, whose illustrious name will ever
grow brighter and more extensively
admired as the chroniclers of history
shall only write as truth and justice
shall dictate, and as our crosses of
honor proclaims it, "Deo vindice" y
Let God prove the, justice of our
cause. Not that we loved our coun-
try less but that each and every one
that bore arms loved his own beloved
State the more, and it was not pre-
sumable that we could turn our
sword and thrust the breast of our
own dear Sovereign State and South
ern land.
Yea, sovereign, 1 repeat, for this
we truthfully believe, that the con-
stitution was a compact entered into
between sovereign States, each hav-
ing equal rights, be they large or
small That the great State of Texas,
with it's vast territory, had no more
rights than little Rhody, no larger
than a county; for each State had for
it's representation in the upper house,
two senators, no more or less, and
in the lower house in proportion to
it's population. The great central
government had no other power or
authority than that which was dele
gated, granted or given to it from
the several States. But those fearful
issues which had so long divided,
distracted, yea, destroyed the peace
of our people, and which our highest
tribunals and greatest statesmen had
in vain endeavored to compromise or
settle, had failed. And now an appeal
to arms, a bloody slaughter of shot
and shell and where might, whether
right or wrong, had to determine.
Thanks to the Great Power above
that shapes the destinies of power
and principalities as it does OF indi-
viduals, these great issues and diff
ferences are at rest, and with a
broader view of charity one for an
other let us consider had we been
living over the line, may we not have
thought it was right to fight for an
indissoluble union, lone and undi-
vided," where the flag might do JUS
tice to all; honored at home, respect
ed abroad, DER sea and land, and
free as the waters that roll wherever
the flag unfurls. But pardon this
depression, what I wish to say:
I am glad that the same officers
are in charge and that Capt. Joe
Risher still holds the fort, and our
hearts are with him, for we justly
appreciate what he has done. I we'll
remember a few years since, at a
State reunion, that the captain, our
worthy adjutant, Jas. F. Jones, and
self, were present as delegates. The
roll was called and we discovered
that our camp was not mentioned.
With our approval, Capt. Risher
promptly went forward and had our
Camp reinstated We pledged that
our arrears would be paid, not in full
but in proportion to our small num-
ber, then not more than 1S or 19 all
told. Now, Notwithstanding our
ranks have been thinned, several
having passed away, I am glad to say
we have on our roll more than 40.
But our camp has been greatly re-
vived, and for this deeper interest
we are greatly indebted to the ex-
cellent efforts of those most worthy
U. D. C's. of the Francis Marion
Bamberg Chapter, who have so nobly
come to our rescue. They have erect
ed a beautiful shaft to commemorate
the valorous deeds of those that did
their duty as they saw it. For this
we have no words to express our graf
itude and appreciation. We fully
realize that they have reflected great
honor upon themselves in that they
have built monument to their cred
it, endurable as time.
Let me say in conclusion, for this
monument there are a few hundred
dollars not yet paid in, most OF
which has been subscribed. Let those
that are in arrears now come for
ward and do the best they can. Once
more to the breach, dear comrades,
and let US not be satisfied until it is
all paid in full.
L. N. BELLINGER.
Bamberg, Feb. 8, 1912.