Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1919-07-02
ARTHUR SIMKINS.
Sketch of the Life of This Rev.
olutionary Patriot Prepar
ed by MIR. S. MEG. Sim
kins.

When I was asked by the fair
Daughters of the American Revolu-
tion, whose gentle hands have done
so much to secure and preserve the
sacred memories of the past, "and
whose hearts are made of the patri-
otic sincerity, as sovereign is made
of gold," to make an address on this
occasion, the subject of which would
be one of my progenitors, l was as
am now, under that feeling of re-
preston which one who has any meas
ure of commendable modesty in his
soul, naturally feels in speaking of
his own, and under this feeling of re-
straint + first declined, knowing that
it would be more appropriate that an
other not related or even connected
with the Simkins family, and better
fitted for the task, should have been
selected for its performance. But my
Igood and partial friends were per-
sistent and would not have it other
wise; and casting aside what, in some
measure may have been false modes
ty, am here to do their bidding; i'm
perfectly, yes; yet if l know my
heart, with a sense of conservation
and proud to have some part in the
patriotic utterances of this hour.
This occasion is inspirational, and
let me tilen on this day devoted to
the heroic past when the Revolu-
tionary struggle for liberty was on,
tell in simple but truthful words the
record of him whose memory we are
here to honor.
We folks of Edgefeld county just
ly love the record of her people past
and present, and we point W a5e
to their doings in the dra -
history. We love to dwell on IL
frious record of the Americ; 53.5
al sile sgresat world wide war
lsterday, the Anne csn crnsad -
liberty, who hurried to the D,
front of bleeding France and met .
supreme test of their duty and stake
their lives to preserve American and
worlds liberty. And the splendid
part our noble women played in help
ing to attain the plorious end
Then a few years back came the
war with Spain, little war, as wars
are measured now, but its effect on
the nation was great. The best of our
youth North and South, went from
shop and factory, from the corn fields
of the North and cotton fields OF the
South and in noble and sacrificial
deeds they responded to the call of
their Country. l believe that this war
did more to carry American civiliza-
tion, which, let us hope, is synony-
nous with Christian civilization, and
the Cross of Christ, to the Orient
than any other agency within the
memory of the oldest.
And then, how sweet the task and
with what reverential love we do hon.
or to the valor and memory, dead and
Ialive of the Confederate Soldiers who
fought under the Southern Cross, and
composed as brave band of heroes
as ever marched beneath the burning
stars of God.
1t is we'll and fitting for US to pay
the tribute of our love to the boys
and gallant soldiers but let US not for
get the heroes of the Revolution,
which was war of colonists against
a powerful monarchy, a war of home
loving people against professional
soldiers, veterans of hundred battle
fields. One has said, "The American
soldier then was such as Paul Revere,
who rode out under the silent stars
through Lexington to Concord car
rying the signal for the independence
of nation" They were men like
those who
"By the rude bridge that spanned
the food
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled
Twas there the embattled farmers
stood
And fired the shot heard round the
world"
These were the men who, during
the terrible winter of Valley Forge,
lived on nothing but bread and water
and of whom LeFayette wrote "They
were in want of everything, they had
neither coats, hats, shirts nor shoes
and who left their bloody footprints
in the snow, and for the betterment