The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-01-19
PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.

Respected .Studcnts -
The affections Of the human heart iE-
stinctivcy lingcr around one sacred locali-
ty in the material universe. And, while the
pursuit Of pleasure and the imperative de-
mands of interest or duty may often require
migration, still, through. all the evcu,tul
changes and varied SCENES of life, memory
delights in frequent rcvsions to the peculiar
circumstances and endcaring associations
,hu. are ), insrpar:sllv cnnn".."l with the
period and place of nativity. The tender
plant, when removed to Il different climate
and transplantcd in a fertile soil, will take
deep root and flourish, but it will carry with
it the original characteristics of its species
from the garden, shore or wilderness whence
it was taken, and retain them until the
pendant fruit no longer clings to its wither-
"cd boughs and its decaying form and dis
robed branches fall, mngle with other par
ticlcs and enter into lcw combinations
Thus it is with man. He may he expatria;cd
b. the influence Of numerous Inducements
and become wholly identified with the lane!
Of his adoption; but if bound there ever SO
strongly by the golden links of fame and
fortune, the principles early imbibe,l, the i'm
pressions that are indclibly engravcn on the
petals Of bis unfolding mind, and the first
formation Of character will be prominent
elements of his nature, which will not lose
their individuality this side Of the grave,
nor be totally extinguisl,cd in death. And,
whether submerged in the unfathomed whirl-
pools of adverse circumstances by the con-
,centrated power Of all the raging storms in
NEpTUNE's realms, or sailing in halcyon
days on prosperitys topmost wave to the de-
sired haven of his brightest hopes, he will
banish crowding thoughts, and leave anina-
ted strifes, to rc-traverse the theatre of his
youthful sports and to revisit his childhood's
hallowed home. It will possess peculiar
charms and pleasant "reminiscences, that
cannot be afforded any where else, even
when desolation's .blighting sweep has pass
ed over it and left not vestige behind,
save barren waste and the familiar music of
the gliding streamlets.
"Man through all ages of revolving time,
Unchauging man in every varying cline,
Deems his own land of every land the pride,
Beloved by heaven Ger all the world beside;
His home the spot of earth supremely blest,
- dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest"
a2a1t is to me a source Of qualification that
5Iyas born on this great continent, at this
i Iatefand remarkable era, in the unrivaled
splendor Of the nineteenth century, under
the best form Of Government that human
skill has ever devised, and on Georgia's
soil. And for all these exalted privileges
with which have been blest, a debtof graf
itude;stbat can never be Cancelled, is due 70
4 Hims who controls alike the destinies Of men
andnationa, and worlds. indeed pride in
: AL of them, but especially take pleasure in
recurring to this particular vicinity, and in
: contemplating its future prospects; for it j:
the favorite place, wbefe'I spent il, ,iunocen,
amusernents the .Happie# portion Of my
existenca where my infant vision first gazed
out upon the indescribable beauties Of: na
ture, and thewonders that gil .immensity..
ras tiFssls xho ca'efn'ly observes til