The St. Johns herald., 1922-08-03

It has been said by some who were aspiring for office, because they thought I was a probable candidate. ''Who is T. J. Neal anyway? What right has he to ask for an office in this country?" For the benefit of some people I will try and explain what right I have to live and enjoy the liberties of other men. A few generations ago when a band of weary pilgrims in the Mayfower and Speedwell landed at Plymouth, Mass. on that bleak and barren rock, where they could worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own conscience. The first Neal, James Larue Neal, that ever came to this country, was among that Holy band of worshipers. He made his way among the Indians and endured privations and hardships untold till he reached the state of Kentucky and there in the wilderness among the savages he build ed him home and reared family. which married and spread out ever Ken lucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, And down the line a few generations there was another James Neal born, son of John Neal who was wounded in the war of 1912, great, great grand son of the former James L. Neal. He had large family of girls and boys, and among them my father, Jacob H. Neal, who was a young man in 1861, When Abraham Lincoln made hls call for volunteers, my father was among that bunch ofmen who answered their country's call. He served four years. He was at Gettysburg, Shiloh, Chattanooga. Bulls Run, Richmond and many other battles. He followed that flag that you and love so much. From 61 to 65 until Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House, where he got his honorable discharge and return ed home. x
 My wife's father, Isaac Lewis, vol unteered at the age of IT as drummer boy, and served his country through the entire war, belonging to the 97th regi- ment of Indiana volunteers. He rode one mule three years and nine months. They offered to give him the mule at the close of the war. But he said he felt like he had rode him far enough, so he came home on the train instead. Gen. tlemen. 1 honor the pioneer of 1847y I honor the men who made the great sacrifices in the early days or St. Johns. But should we not honor the men who went through the very pits of death and hell to save the Union and preserve it for you and 1. Maybe you don't think you owe the son of one of those men that followed that flag of ours to an independent victory to make you what you are, anything,
 And when again the country needed men, in the great world war, my son was among the first to volunteer and answer the country's call, because he had been taught to love, honor and cherish more than life itself that flag which our fathers died to save.
 am 50 years old, have never this far in life been sued on a note, arrested or paid fine of any nature. I have re- sponded to every call that has ever been made of me both by church and state. I do not claim the country owes me any thing, but probably those who read this little sketch will be able to realize more fully who I am, and when people boasts of their Americanism and their loyalty I feel to rejoice to know that was born of parents who were willing to sacrifice their life that future generations might live and enjoy the liberties of a free and independant government.
 Fellow citizens, like all other men, have my faults and imperfections, but thank God 1 will never dishonor in my life what my fore parents cherished so much and gave their lives to save.
 thank you.
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