The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-06-22

to encourage, to reward. Never
slow or stinted in the measure it
pours out, its fault is to be too pre-
cipitate and profuse. Estimating
merit not by the severe standard of
success, it takes motives into consid-
GRAFTON, regardless Of the fortune
which attends them, and, for whatev-
er sacrifices they have entailed,
awards a great equivalent.
In this, the gratitude of a people
differs from the gratitude of kings.
With the latter, success is an es.
scntial condition Of EXCELLENCE
Pensions. knightly decorations, or
ders Of nobility, these are given by
kings in exchange only for the tro-
phics which decorate their halls, or
the acquisitions which widen the sur
face OF their dominion.
Not SO with people as I have
said. They do not barter and ccono.
mise their gifts. Whatever the re-
suit, be the motive upright, be the
deed honorable, and their favors are
forthcoming. Moreover, it some
times happens that where disaster
has most grievously befallen, there
their sympathies are most evoked,
and their treasures most plcnteously
bestowed.
This it is which explains tho PRO
cccdings, in my regard, Of the noble
city you present. -
| have sought. to savesmy country.
and been anxious to contribute to her
freedom. This | shall not assume
the modesty to deny. Long before
mingled in the strife Of politics, it
was my ambition to be identified
with the destiny Of my country---to
share her glory, if glorgewere,.d ,.deereed
her--to share her snffesing 5and hu;
:iii; slsoGld poig
ton.
For the little I have done and suf-
Gercd, l have had M reward ia the
penalty assigned me. 10 be the
last and humLicst name in the litany
which contains the names Of Emmct
and Fitzgerald; names which waEen
notes of hcroisn i'll the coolest heart,
and stir to lofty purposes the most
sluggish mind is an honor which
compcnsatcs me fully for the priya-
tons | have endured. Any RECON-
! pcnse, of a more joyous nature, it
would i'll become Inc to receive.
Whilst my country remains i'll sor-
row and suhjcction, it would be in
delicate Of Inc to participate i'll the
festivities you propose. When she
lifts her head, and nerves her arm
for q bollcr struggle when she goes
forth, like Miriam, Nth song and
, timbrel to celebrate her yictorv--I,
too shall lift up my head, and join in
the hymn Of freedom. Till then, the
retirement l seek will best accord
with the love I bear her, and the
sadness which her present fate in
spires.
Nor do l forget The companions Of
my exile. My heart is with them at
this hour, and shares the solitude in
which they dwell. The freedom
that has been restored to me is en-
bittcrcd by the recollection Of ;.cir
captivity. Whilst they arc in prison
a shadow rests upon my spirit, and
the thoughts that might otherwise be
free, thiob heavily within me. It is
painful for me to speak, 1 should
feel happy in being permitted to be
silent.
For these reasons, You will not
feel disrlcascd with me for declining
| the honors you solicit me to accept.
Did l esteem them less, I should not
consider myself SO unworthy, nor
decline so conclusiyely, TO enjoy
them. The privileges Of so eminent
a city should be sacred to those who
personify great and living cause
a past full Of fame, and a future full
Of hope--and whose names are prom
incnt and impcrishablc.
1t pains ne deeply to make this
reply, being sensible OF the enthusi-
asn Which siows around me, and the
cagcrncss with which. a public oppor-
tunity Of meeting me has been await.
ed. L know it will disappoint a gen.
crous anxiety; but the propricty Of
the determination 1 have come to is
proved by the incfliciency even of
this consideration to overcome me, I
know, too, that as it g.icvcs me it will
srieve others, and that, perhaps, the
motives that have led to it may be
misunderstood, misconstrucd, and
ccnsurcd. But ! am confident that,
after little while, tho public judg-
mcnt will sanction tire act, which y
due regard to what I owe my coun.
try, my companions, and myself, Sc
riously dictates.