The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-01-19
Letter From Oklahoma.
Headquarters
Joe Shelby Camp 975,

i q
My Dear Old, Comrades Wherever
They May be, Greeting:
My Dear Comrades: The whole
civilized world with the dawn of the
New Year is looking forward with q
renewed energy. refreshing zeal and
u motto Of advancing prosperity.
Every heart should thrill with q
spirit OF an onward march to greater
and better things, looking to the fu-
ture as the new epoch in the up
building of fallen man to higher
plain of life. Every home in this
favored land should WELD spirit OF
devotion to Him who doeth all
things we'll. While it is true the
dark shadows of poverty is prevalent
in sections of this fair land, but the
same Divine power that governs all
men still extends the hand of pro-
tection to all the earth. Yes, my
comrades, az the years come and ,go
and only to serve as a gentle re-
minder-simply for nothing more
you would be amply paid.
! When we look through the back
ward mist of time to ponder over
lost opportunities what must we do?
Must We pine away in sadness?
Oh no. My dear comrades, turn
your head toward the towering hills
of a mighty people shake the dust
of depravity from your feet and
show to the world that the old Con-
federate soldier still holds the scale
of citizen soldiery.
The struggle in your national life
Ii the one link in the chain that has
broken. But as the sun rules the
day and the moon governs the night
30 man shall govern his passion and
teach a lesson of peace and good
will to all men. ..a
The wealth of q nation grows in
proportion to the desires OF men and
yet it is true all men are not en-
dowed with the same desires. Lack
OF ambition, lack of energy in the
diligent pursuits of life never chase
the wolf from the door. Morality
and the God given :graces of earth i
greatest influence and availing op-
portunities bring peace and hap
piness to every threshold of this
great nation.
Fame and ambition should be the
guiding star Of every pedestrian oi
this proud America, Let us grow
in the experience Of all that is pure
and good that the angels in heaven
may rejoice. !
Yes, my comrades, when in til,
zenith Of manhood~yon> etcsj ssitI
barred breast to leaden hafl, but t0.
day. 1912, you should stand as 8
non -combatant enwrapped with the
loving Kindness of Gods wisdom
and mercy. Your day of the hu
man tide of greatness has ebbed and
flowed far beyond the midday sur
of your allotted time.
When you marched with Lee and
Stonewall Jackson you were the
pride OF this great southland, but
today the civilized world stands in
amazing wonder at the soldier citi.
zen of this fair Dixie land. Blu,
remember, my comrades, that the
mountain breeze has waited gently
by. The morning sun has shed his
soft rays of delight, on and over the
splendor of it's MONDAY and down
the evening shades of approaching
night and while the king of day ie
hiding away beneath the shadows OF
the distant horizon God is still
spreading the wings of love and af-
lection about you. The old year
has passed into history with it's sor-
rows and joys, shortcomings, disap-
pointments and lost opportunities.
And while it is true you have passe d
another mile post of father time and
be not forgetful to realize that we
are at peace with all the world and
to know we can rejoice with our
fellowman in the pleasures of the
year 1912.
Oh yes, my comrades. how swift
ly the days 90 by. Youth, manhood
and age has overtaken you but be
not dismayed, God S watching by
day and by night. God bless you
all. Geo. G.. Buchanan,
Commander Joe Shelby Camp
975, U. G.. ", Chickasfya, Okla.