Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-10-22
BARBACUE AT CR0UT'S, LEXINGTON DISTRICT.
SPEECH OF GEN. PAUL QUATTLEBAUM.

| Aue Sist anniversary VI tue LeAllSl loi
Guards" light infantry company attached
to the 18th Regiment Sd Brigade South
Carolina Militia. was celebrated at theil
usual parade ground, on Saturday, the 20tt
September, 1856. They turned out in ali
their strengthening been previously or
dered for inspection, and it being known
that the Adjutant General would disbanc
them if they failed to show such front as
the law requires of all volunteer companies
To them it was proud day, as well as
day of trial. BY previous Invitation, Gen
Paul Quattlebaum and COL Fl. |. Caughmau
delivered patriotic addresses ranks o
the corps received an accession of several
new membTs-its inspection was declared
by the proper authority to be entirely salts.
factory-while the company, animated by
the smiles Of many of the farcr, as well as
hundreds Of the sterner sex, seemed deter.
mined that no obstacle should ever rctard
their progress. The only prevailing cause
of regret was that their representative in
Congress, the gallant Brooks, was Z" in too
much need Of rest" to attend this happy
revival of the military spirit of a corpse now
grown to full manhood. 1t would have been
source of much rejoicing to have met in
social conclave such champion of the
rights and defender of the insulted honor Of
the South; but the excuse received for his
absence was entirely satisfactory.
A sumptuous barbecue was prepared, and
tables were served for the ladies as well as
the gentlemen, under the wide spread shades
Of suitable groves, at adjacent springs, from
which pure water gushed forth as fountain
of lfe-needing no adulterating drugs or
stimulating liquors to make it palatabe-
After dinner was over, most Of the candi.
dates for the Legislature being present, such
as were delivered speeches defining their
respective positions, in regard to State and
Federal politics. But some may we'll have
but little faith in pledges made to catch votes
on the eve of an election, yet who can
doubt that our candidates will prove them
selves to be "rigAt side up" when the day
of trial comes?
After the military exercises had closed,
on motion, it was
Resolred, unanimously, That the thanks
of the company are due and are hereby ter
dered to Gen. Paul Quatllebaum aud Col.
II. |. Caughman, for the patriotic addresses
this day delivered by them, and that they b2
respectfully requested 10 furnish copies for
publication in the Columbia South %
fed Advertiser; and that Committee c
three be appointed to carry this resolution
into effect.
Lieuts ]. II. Moore, Noah Shcaly and
Ensign J. J.. Shealy, were appointed said
committee; and having discharged the duty
assigned them, they have to express the
deep regret they feel in not being able to
procure a copy Of Col. Caughman's speech,
for reasons which he sums up in these words:
I" 1t would afford me great pleasure to cam-
ply with the request Of the Lexington Guards,
in furnishing a copy of my speech made on
Saturday last, if it WIS i'll ny power to DO
so at this time; but my business is such That
must respectfully decline, hoping the com.
pany will excuse me, for really | do not
now know What | did say, Or at least hut
little"
Bat The committee have been more for
tunate with regard to General Quatlebaum's
address. With simple apology for having
prepared it while the hand of domestic mis-
fortunes weighed heavily upon him, the
General has placed the manuscript at our
disposal; and in submitting this speech to
the public, we would simply add, that all
the circumstances attending its delivery
should he fully known for its merits to be
fully appreciated.
The company having marched in front OF
the position assigned the speakers, ranks
were opened and arms presented. The sa-
lutte being then returned, Captain Caug hman
ordered, Rest. General Rualtlcbaum will
now please address the company" which he
did in the following words:
OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF TIE LExlNG.
TON GUARDS: To the circumstance Of hav.
ing once been the immediate commander OF
your corps, more than to any other, do ut
tribute the cause Of being called upon now
to address you.
AS you have suggested, | shall speak of
The rise, the progress and future prospects
of yom company" And, as limited as the
theme may appear, shall not attempt to cx.
pand it by associating with it the subject OF
politics, farther than it may be incidentally
connected with the great object Of all mill
tary organizaions-tha OF defending the
rights, the honor, the interests and the insiI-
tutions of our common country. In doing
this, shall avoid, as much as possible, the
slightest aluson to our local issues; for, let
US be divided as we may in our district and
State elections, there can and should be no
division among us upon the one great qucs.
ton now at issue between the so.caled free
and slave States of our Federal Union, for
the highest of all law--that Of sellprcscr'
vation, requires US to contend, even 10 our
last gasping breath, for equality in tho Union
or independence out Of il. But of this
shall say no more for the present, but turn
to the historical part Of your existence as a
military corps, and of my former association
with you.
It was on The 24th day of July, in the
year of our Lord, 1887, more than nineteen
years ago, that came here, in the prime of
youth, 10 enter your ranks as private, al.
though had before experienced some hard
service, and borne the rank of Captain
having raised a volunteer company to defend
| Contb H,rol,po l,,