True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-10-15
BROOKS AT HOME.

Friday, Oct. Sd, 1856, was a memora-
BILE day in South Carolina. 1t was the
day set apart for the great banquet and
presentation 10 Preston S. Brooks, by
his constituents of the fourth Congress
ional District. The affair took place at
'Ninety-six,' and had been in preparation
for several weeks. Committees were ap-
pointed in the various villages throughout
the district to raise funds, arrange the
preliminaries, and appoint Committees of
Management. Everybody entered into
the business con amore; the people grew
enthusiastic about it, and money poured
in by bandfuls. Gov. Adams, Senator
Tombs, Senator Butler, and other great
men came to pay their homage at the
feet of the gallant Colonel, and the
ladies' were present in great numbers.
The order of The day, as announced by
the Chairman, was about as follows
OPeuing address by the orator Of the oc
casion then the presentation of the testi-
monials, viz, gold goblet from the citi
zens of Abbeyville; silver goblet, pla
ted, with gold in the inside, from the
citizens of the immediate vicinity, who
claimed the honor of living near the home
stead of Mr.. Brooks; stick made BY
the citizens of Laurens, and another sticl
presented by gentleman delegated 70
that purpose, from former citizen o
South Carolina, but now resident o
Florida. Then followed speeches, thel
the dinner, and then speeches.
But the most remarkable feature Of thi
ovation was the speech Of the gal!an
Brooks. 1t is singular mixture Of mod
esty, boldness, humility, presumption, AM
whatever else it takes to make up Sout
Carolina statesman. --.
He rei'erates his purpose, should Ere
mont be elected, 10 march to Washingto
at the head Of squad of South Carolir
ians, seize the national treasure and al
chives, and then march back again. H
also declares himself strongly for Bucbar
an and Disunion, aud compliments th
Democracy of the North.
, But we must make some ex,racs lroI
this rare specimen of South Carolina or;
! tory.
! BROOKS REPRESENTS THE SOUTH.
feel that my individuality has, in
!. great measure, been destroyed, and th
from circumstances have been placed
!. a position which constitutes me for II
= time being. and in reference TO the matte
0 the type and representative of the entil
i South. For inAicting the punishmeI
= upon Mr.. Sumner Of Massachusetts,
have had showered upon me applause al
}. commentator from every part of tho Ell
h tire South. My own people have eve
humbled me by the honors which the
10 have poured down upon me. ltell 20
you have bestowed more considerable
upon the act than il deserves; SO has
d brought my head vilifcdtion. denunciati'
{; and abuse which feel in my heart
not merit. l have no difficulty in unde
h. standing why you at the South in 20
generous magnamity, should have w
!. coined ME by these unusual demonstr
tions. The castigation Of blackgua
70 has nothing in it 10 attract the Soulhe
S. people. The first lesson your boy lear
at school-the first lesson he learns
m that better school.room, the play groul
-is To resent an insult and avenge wro
ID whenever and whereveritis given. Y
have been provoked by the unjust. mi
It. ignanl bitterness of your common Ell
mics 10 give me honors which ! tell y
ii. again do not merit to the ext
o. that your generosity fancies that do
u. THINGS ARE WORKING.
/ set up 10 have none Of thu gifts
q i; prophecy | don't pretend to be sta!
man; but 1 am identified with your
ct, lerests, and am man Of common sci
in / see what il is coming to, and let me
You that political questions will have,
at. ayery short time, to be settled, not
statesmen in conclave, but be cut J