Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-01-08

schemes for internal Improvement.
Mr.. Poinsett went in 1922 on an i'm
portant special mission to Mexico dur.
ing the rule Of Iturbide and afterwaro
went there as the minister from the
United States During one of the
revolutionary outbreaks which Tor sc
many years have been feature OF the
life Of the republic to the south, Ger.
tain prominent Mexican families tooF
refuge in his house. He placed on the
front of the building an American f1ae
and, standing on the balcony, defieo
the mob to harm him or the building
which was then under the protection
Of the flag.
Officials Accused Him Of Introducing
Freemasonry.
He became involved in a controver.
sy with certain Of the authorities ir
Mexico who accused him OF introduc'
ing Freemasonry into the country. AS
a matter of fact, he had been asked by
certain Freemasons in Mexico to seno
to the Grand Lodge in the state OF
New York for charters for their lodges
and this he did. On his return to the
United States Mr. Poinsett wrote q
vigorous pamphlet in defense Of his
action.
An intense federalist in his sympa-
thies, he gave loyal adherence to the
national government when his own
South Carolina was the hotbed Of null
LITIGATION agitation. He became the
leader Of the Union party there. 1t is
said that he secretly developed a pow
erful military organization which was
ready on short notice to defend the
cause Of the Union. General Jackson
then president Of the United States
gave him authority to get arms and
ammunition from the government ar
senal and the tradition is that he even
had a commission Of colonel in the
regular army.
The following administration saw
him secretary Of war Of the United
States. His influence in that office
abides to this day. Mr.. Poinsett
brought about a radical reorganization
Of the artillery arm Of the service and
gave especial attention to the develop
ment Of field batteries. His recommen-
dation to congress in 1S40 that all
states Of the Union have their militia
reorganized under federal supervision
was far in advance Of his time. There
are many things in the National guard
organization of the present day, how
ever, which were largely due to the
recommendations Of Mr.. Poinsett.
when he closed his portfolio Of war
The rest Of his life, which was given
so much to action and still more to
great schemes which were always on
the verge Of action, was spent In STU
dious retirement at Statesburg. where
he died on September IL, 1851. He
took interest still in public affairs and
was one Of the most earnest opponents
Of the war with Mexico.
His garden in the south gave him
much pleasure and there 1t was that
he cultivated the beautiful red flower
he brought from Mexico and to which
his fellow botanists gave the name OF
Poinsettia pulcherrima. The popular
ity Of this flower for decorations at
this season Of the year has been stead
lily growing and at the present time
there are few who think Of its Mexi-
can origin, and regard it as a plant
indigenous to this country.
To the scholar, the antiquarian and
the scientist the name Of Poinsett
means much, for he was one OF the
founders Of the National Museum at
Washington and gave to 1t a most val
liable collection. His discourse on the
promotion Of Science" delivered on
the first anniversary Of the opening. In
1S41. Is a document which Is quoted
to this day. Mr.. Poinsett was also the
founder Of an academy Of fine arts at
Charleston. which existed for several
years. There are in existence many
Of his unpublished papers besides his
Notes on Mexico" which have an
important bearing on our national life.
Columbia University. Of this city. con-
ferred upon him the degree Of doctor
Of laws.
And from the career Of the publicist
and the statesman we go to the all too
short one Of a grand-nephew George
Poinsett Of the United States marines.
over whose body at the Brooklyn
Navy Yard only few months ago the
president Of the United States spoke
words Of eulogy. Thus it is that fine
American traditions, intelligent zeal In
the performance Of duty and devotion
to the cause Of country are all ex-
pressed in the petals Of poinsettia
blood red flower Of courage.-John w.
Harrington in New York Herald.