The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-01-17
From the South Caroiiniam.
Gen. Saml McGowan's Address

Writing and printing are continually go
ing on with wonderful stca,lincss, all over
the civilized world. Thoughts are scattered
broadcast over the wide world, rs beautifully
rs autumnal leaves i'll Valie Ambrosa; but
who reads them, Or hcc,ls the reading 3
Where is the man that weighs them in a
mint-scalc, and passes them through the
cruciblc Of the mind, to ascertain their un-
aIIoyed purity, and their actual value and
Importance! Alas! The tides of litera-
ture succeed each other SO closely, that they
chase each other away, and no traces are
left behind on the shores of time The
present has no longer any charm-thc pres
ent no intercst-tle future no hopcs-to
arrest the reader. No dainty thought, or
even fine writer, remains sufficiently long
on the literary parade ground to cntice
wish, or arrest a iuok-to gain an admirer,
or to attract public attention-unless it be
some political tavori:e ism. leave to the
Yankees all their absurd and dctcs.ablc isms
of the day; only wish now to turn the
attention of your readers to n more agree
able topic nearer home, in the Palmetto
State.
1t cannot be denied that journalism has,
IN our days, acquired a vast importance in
the social economy. Its political influence
Is too evident to be questioned, aid it's com
'nerc'al Importance is also readily acknowl-
edged; bu: its scientific and literary utility
might be greatly improved, and especially
in the Judgment to be exercised in the pub
I'cat'on Of matters calculated to corrupt the
mind and vtiate the taste.
Very few of your numerous readers, no
doubt, were present when Gen. MCGOWAN
delivered his address to the Literary Society
-~ets-Erskine College. Its present pubIica-
ton, at the request of that Society. affords
INC the pleasure Of recalling to mind some
of the impressions it produced on me at the
time of its delivery. 1t was my good for
tune to be present, and to lie one of nu-
mcrous assembly of both sexes. It was,
no doubt, the presence of so much beauty
and intelligence which caused, at first and
for an instant, the orators voice TO quiyer
in spite Of himself, imparting, by this over
flow Of feeling, great interest to his. narra-
ton; but he soon equpoised bis manly,
noble and sonorous voice, in the simple and
descriptive, but terse, narration of facts OF
absorbing historical interest, that had trans
pired on the very spot on Which wo were
then standing.
This narration transfxed the attention oi
NIL, and every eye was scanning the digni-
fed orator. It would require as;much space
as the address itself, should be disposed
TO follow my own inclination of minutely
analyzing this delightful literary production
and to myself most pleasing task, but that
the details Of all its varied beauties would
occupy too much space. ! must, however
state that much of the delight it produced
On the audience, was caused by the purity
Of Ills elegant diction, and the CORRECTNESS
of his language, which fit so nicely aud SC
precisely to the thoughts, that they were
like the graceful folds Of asbecomi9g gar.
ment, and Indeed the exact yesturs .oe e;his
thesgbts If the language, and distion
7i'and manner Of delivery were striking and
commanded attention, the lore contained in
this animated language was equalIyiso; and
which, though clad in classic drapery, still
possessed ali the simplicity Of an antique
statue. The delivery was such as to satisf,
the most fastidious elocutionist. It was un.
ambitious recalling to my fancy the admi.
Iably priced Ciceronian calm and compo.
sure go are accustomed to associate with
the prince Of Roman orators; yet he neve,
failed to warm our feelings by carrying
conviction to our minds. Our orator has
attained .the highest Of oratorical gifts
simplicity. -; o.., ,,:,z .%7ss. ~ ss.ss. ~
seour orator is particular possessed BY one
mother IDEA. He cau.es it TO predoipinate
and that Is edscation and itsimportauce
He developsit under its various relations
and aspects to our government, religion and