The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1913-07-18


most foolhardy in the fact that so
many wise and great men were firm
in the opposite belief. The burden
of responsibility was on me to think
for myself and I did. The result is
1 find myself in thorough accord with
those once opposed. These words
may have a strange sound to some,
coming as they do from one who
wore the Confederate uniform.
may be alone, but suspect there are
others.
Having said this I want to say
am still Southerner, from centre to
circumference, and a South Caro-
linian in every fibre of my being. He
who strikes the South strikes me; he
who lays violent hands on South Car
olina touches the apple of my eye.
A few years ago l was called on to
make an address on Memorial day.
My subject was, "The Soul of the
South"-the spirit of the South be-
fore, during and since the war.
There is no section of this country
of which more may be said in praise
than of the South. Southern men,
largely, laid the foundation of this
government. Southern men guided
its affairs for many years.
Southern men were among its repre-
sentatives in foreign capitals. In
times of peace Southern men helped
in wise decision of questions of
state and with their strength helped
to bear all the burdens of the ma
ton. In times of war "their place in
the picture was near the flashing of
the guns" A very large part of our
territory is the result of Southern
craftsmanship. He who is not proud
of the South has reason to be asham-
ed of himself. In view of all this the
reader may wish that I pause long
enough to explain how all this can
be true and yet the South be respon-
sible for such blunder as secession.
firmly believe it can be explained
to the satisfaction of every unbiased
mind, but to do so is foreign to the
purpose of this paper, even if space
did not forbid.
From the South in peace I come to
the South in war. Here is a theme
for poets and painters. Some day
some man will sit in the heights of
Gettysburg and write a companion
piece to the charge of the Light Bri-
gade. The Southern soldier, in STRAIT
egy, and valor, has few equals and no
superiors. Many of our Southern
generals, whether thought of in their
personal character as men or in their
qualities as soldiers, will compare
most favorably with those of sim
liar rank of any age or CLINE. High
authority has already proclaimed
Robert E. Lee as the greatest mill
tary chieftain of modern times.
Years ago an American army officer
was present at German review. Al
ter it was over a German officer
turned to the American and said,
Isn't that the finest army you ever
saw" "No, sir" was the prompt
reply. "Pray when did you see a
finer?" at was the Confederate
army in our front at Franklin, Tenn"
That the limited South could hold at
bay the unlimited North for four
long years is all that needs to be
said about the Southerner as a SOL
dier. One day in the future his for
titude and courage will be recogniz-
ed, not as Southern soldier, but
as an American patriot.
Of the South since the war 1 have
already spoken in part. Of that Pc
riod much might be said in illustra-
ton of Southern character. Until
very recent years the South was
regarded with suspicion and distrust
by other sections. This has been her
heaviest handicap, but in the face of
it and IL else the South has contin-
ued to grow and prosper. There is
far more wealth in the Southern
States today than ever before and
the day of material prosperity has
just begun.
Educational facilities are keeping
pace with every other department of
Southern life. The need of education
is being felt more and more and no
sooner is the need felt than supplied.
More schools, better schools, is the
cry from one end of the land to the
ether. Our soil, climate and other
resources will yield increasing
wealth, our schools will supply intel
ligence and our churches and other
agencies will cultivate the moral life
of our people. With all these forces