The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1916-05-04

ii
lane university there is a pic
ture of notable piece of stat
Il uary, which attracts immediate
attention because Of it's unusual beau |
ty and pathos. 1t is called "Gloria |
Victis," Glory to the Conquered" or
THE Spirit Of the Confederacy."
This work was designed by Mr.. F.
w. Ruckstahl, now Of Charleston, S.
y. This artist has executed some of
the finest memorials to the Confed-
eracy, and his sculpture is known and
loved all over the South.
Mr.. Ruckstahl was probably the first
sculptor in New York who dared to
throw any bouquets to the South. His
Gloria Victis" was on exhibition in
that city for some time. 1t was finally
purchased by the Baltimore Daughters
or the Confederacy for their monu-
ment of the southern soldiers, and in
one Of the choice spots Of Baltimore
Its noble appearance awes the be-
holder.
There is female figure of heroic
size, representing Fame Cor real his
tory), holding on high wreath which
che Is about to bestow upon q dying
soldier whom she Is supporting with
the other arm. The pure, stern, dis
passionate features are very fine. AS
the artist himself expressed it, Fame
seems to have swooped down and,
clasping the sinking soldier to her
breast, as If crying Hold, enough;
he Is mine!" is claiming him for her
own, to protect from further hurt and
the darts Of SANDER and Jealous
hatred.
But 1t Is the soldier who grips the
attention and haunts the memory. He
Is evidently private. probably a gun
ner; he has gone into the battle to do
or die, for he is stripped of all impedi-
menta and his sleeves are rolled up,
the better to serve his gun. There is
something indescribably pathetic in
the coarse shoes and the rent near the
knee, bringing to mind the privation
he has suffered and the terrible strug-
gle through which he has Just passed.
One hand grasps firmly tattered flag,
while the other with a convulsive
movement covers the death wound in
the breast.
There Is no legend, no uniform, no
eulogy, nothing to identify this man
except the simple &C. S. A." on his
belt, but ah, what honor and glory do
these letters convey! Could any de-
vice ever known to history be SO hon.
orable, so sacred?
Though the body is hardened by ex-
posure and priyation, there is nothing
IN 1T Of coarseness or roughness or
brutality. Despite the rude clothing
and humble rank Of the soldier, 1t is
easy to see that he Is Of gentle blood;
his noble features bespeak the high
type which made Lees men the su.
periors OF any soldiery this world has
ever seen.
The beautiful, clear.cut features are
pathetically youthful. The dying SOL
der has just reached manhood; many
of those who 'went when the South
was in her direst need were mere
boys. Though stern and furrowed by
pain, the expression is singularly calm,
peaceful, free of battles passion:
there seems q consciousness of duty
well done, as the life Is given for a
sacred cause; the ebbing of life marks
the limit of supreme effort and sacri.
hces; there are no lines Of hatred for
the foe, but Of resignation, combined
with sorrow and regret, for the failure
OF his own loved cause; and the dig.
nifty OF noble death hallows all.
This work should be known in every
nome OF our nation. 1t will inspire
proper respect for the South and her
cause and her soldiery, even In the
Ignorant alien who has never heard OF
her or In the mtstaught American who