The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-04-02

I1uul dI tut vi dItu ot4OO4 NO1AAh0ANN-
ment, June, 1901:
published al the request of the
Drayton Rut erfcrd chapter, U. D. c.
The remarks shall make tonigi-t
can hardly be dignified with a name or
subject, but shall indulge in some OBJ
servations on South Carolina, during
the last fogty years, and shall speak
of her in wa. in reconstruction, in the
readjustment of her affairs wien Ter
people wrenched them Grom the hands
of the alien and the stranger, of her
efforts to build up her waste places
and take her position in the line Of
progress and material Development.
And l do ills, my young friends,
not for tee purpose Of narrowing you"
feelings or exciting your resentment,
but for the sole purpose Of showing
you the hardships, punishments and
deprivations your own people have en-
dured to bring about the state of al
fairs which exists today, wien peace
reigns in every home, when educa-
tion knocks atfthe door of every young
man. ard woman in the State; when
foufishing State and UNCONVENTIONAL
institutions of learning beckon to the
youth of this commonwealth to enter
menfand women come upon the scene
spring; when all the avenues of busi-
ness are open wide to the young men
and women of sobriety, character and
industry; when, in fact, as the young
ment and women come upon the scene
and view the situation, "every prospect
pleases.'
In considering our present advan-
tages and weighing the chances for
the future progress of our people, it
is not amiss to. take a retrospective
view Of tie recent past. Not to brood
on wrongs, or to keep alive animosi-
ties which have no place in hearts
bent upon the peaceful pursuit and
avocations of life, but that, the true
lessons of history may be learned and
to profit by the experiences gained,
and above all to keep alive that de-
votion to principle which Eas made
South Carolina great.
In 1861, just forty years ago-the
life of one generation-the tocsin Of
war was sounded, the cannon doomed
at Fort Sumter, and South Carolina
was stirred from the mountains to the
sea, and the martial spirit OF her sons
was kindled into burning fame OF
patriotism.
The people of ii is State believed in
self governmental the doctrine Of
States rights-and with determina
ton, born Of earnest conviction, re-
solved to ig:t for the perpetuation of
that principle in a country whose
very cornerstone it was. Their rights
Tere at stake, d:eir property was
jeopardized, their very existence as an
Independent people threatened, and
with the courage that has always char
acterized South Carolinians, they pre-
pared to maintain their rights, defend
their property and preserve d1eir in
dependence :.
The result of that conflict is now
matter OF history But for four years,
South Carolinians were engaged in
the bloodiest war the world has ever
known, and during that conflict South
Carolina furnished more soldiers than
SIZE had voters. -
True to the principles they pro-
fessed, stauncn in their support of the
measures in which they believed, thou
sands risked their lives at the can
mons mouth, and numberless b.ou-
sands gave their lives to the cause
they followed.
The nardships and sacrifices made
by our people, in that time, when re-
counted now, in these piping times
of peace sound like romance.
But as improbable as it may seem,
it is nevertheless true that our peo-
pie were tried with fire and sword
when from every household in this
fair land, a devoted father, fond
brother or loving son left his home
and his loved ones, left the comforts,
the delights, tie sweet companion
ships of home, for the hardships Of
army life and the dangers of the bat
Gle field.
It would be beyond human power
to describe truly the alternate hopes
and fears, IRE anxieties and distress
OF the men and women of those ter
aSih1a Gouc Tho cooriSooc -,oodo nv