Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-11-13
height of considerable Importance, ant

Dul SNORT tlIne previously ihu uceii
taken possession Of by our troops. 1t
Is about equi- distant from Alexandria
and Misunderstanding five miles from
each and presents a most delightful
view Of the surrounding country. l was
highly delighted with the scene, and
was amply rewarded for the fatigue of
the trip. AS l stood gazing upon the
picture, the past and present came up
before my mind in strange contrast.
| Could have stood twenty years ago,
me thought, on this same spot and
looked out over the same scene, the
] emotions of my heart would have been
only those of patriotic JOY and pride,
] glorying in the birthright Of an Ameri-
can citizen. The capitol Of once the
greatest nation Of the earth was spread
out to view. In close proximity
his Countryside spot over which the
Patriotic Pilgrim delights to roam;
| and the affections of his heart love to
| linger. How changed the circumstances
| now from then, and how changed, too,
| and varied the emotions they produce.
What means this military pomp and
preparation? Has foreign foe invad-
ed our soil? No-these are those,
whose fathers stood shoulder to shoul-
der in our revolutionary struggle, and
whose united efforts contributed to the
rearing of the majestic dome, which
raised its lofty spire from the neigh
boring hill. Great God! And can it
be that this spot hallowed by so many
glorious and sacred associations shall
be made to flow with the blood Of broth
ers? Alas! the humanity, the rapacity
and treachery Of man. The frowning
battlements on the height beyond, and
the busy, bustling preparation of
yandal horde re-echo back the answer
Yes! We turned from the contem-
plation Of the scene regretting, it is
true, the dire necessity which was
upon us, but with confidence in no
wise impaired, but rather strengthen
ed in the righteousness and final sue
cess Of our cause.
l am glad that "Old York. has sent
three other companies in support OF
| our glorious southern cause. l notice
a publication in one Of your recent is
sues, which while complimenting one
of these companies very highly, de-
tracts somewhat from the corps to
which I belong. 1t is from highly
-l oI
1 am sure that the illusions were not
INTENDED. The writer seems to think
that those who volunteer now are ac-
tuated by sterner and purer motives
of patriotism than those who first re-
sponded to the call Of their country. In
speaking of those who first volunteer
ed, he says: THE imaginations of
many, no doubt, invested the camp
with a romance, with a sort Of gala
day attire, that made it attractive to
many enthusiastic youthful hearts
Now we would ask, If, when the first
company left Yorkville the lombard
ment Of Fort Sumter had not COM
menced? was it not the settled opinion
that the storming Of that frowning
fortress would cost the life Of many
brave and gallant spirits? Or our de-
parture did not bring tears from the
eyes Of mothers and sisters flow fast
and freely for darling boy, or devot-
ed brother, believing that they were
rushing into the jaws Of death? When
our services were no longer needed on
Sullivans Island where we had some
foretaste of camp life, did we not VOL
unteer with a unanimity rarely equal
ed?-Did they expect gala day
show" in Virginia, when the vandal
horde of the north had already desc
Grated her soil with their unhallowed
feet? 1, for one, rather anticipated
rather a serious entertainment. We
have already heard the music Of the
cannons thunder and learned some
thing of the hardships Of soldiers
life. Yet our spirits are as buoyant
and unsubdued as ever. I might ad-
vance motives of far different char
acter which might possibly have actu-
ated those who volunteered last But
forbear. l am ready and willing to
believe that the purest and most pa
triotic motives have actuated them,
and would not detract one iota Of the
praise due them, but have a decided
objection to it's being lavished at our
expense. Jasper.
(To be continued.)