The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-06-02
SPEECH OF HON. L. M. KEITr.
The PnLmeno Regiment in Merico.

tertained the remnant of the Palmetto Regi-
ment at public supper on the l4th ult.
The Mayor of the city presided. Among
the toasts was one in favor of Lawrance M.
Keitt, NJ. c., to which the following re-
Spouse was maize. Mr.. Keitt spoke warm
ly of his friend and colleague. the late Pres
ton S. Brooks. The South Carolinian says:
''In a very modest way he professed to
be embarrassed at having to speak. after
such eloeuence as he had heard. and en-
deavored TO excuse himself, and in the
language of Webster, asked Where am l
to GO = but he found the effort to excuse
mo go and he shook his wings and plum
ed himself for one of those lofty excursions
into the regions of historical incident. effec-
tive anecdotes, and social stories, which he
peculiarly excels in. and in which it is
pleasure to accompany him. He paid "a
graceful tribute to his college friend. the
orator of the day, whom he ventured to say
was his classmate-guarded with the state
ment, however, that the General was
much older man. This he considered i'm
portant in view of his present position in
society-being yet bachelor. He said
his Excelencv complained that in his tour
of service he found making speeches his
hardest duty he (Mr. KEITH thought the
State must have changed since he attended
with the Staff, IN Governor Means day.
when the Champagne duties were the most
difficult to discharge.
Mr.. Keitt said it was out of his line to
make set speech, but with the permission
of the company he would ramble along, and
give an incident or two which he had de-
rived from General Quitman and others,
in relation to the Palmetto Regiments
few CT which we report.
General Quitman told him that when
portion of his brigade was ordered into oat-
tie, Col. Butler was refused to be allowed
to 90, because the Palmettos were actually
broken down by fatigue and privation, and
he was too feeble for duty. He detailed
the New York Regiment and another, and
ordered them forward. Col. Pierce Butler
demanded "a place in the picture" ''No
Sir, your place is in the hospital 'Sir!!''
said he, elevating his noble figure, with fire
flashing from his eagle eye-'Never, Sir,
while the enemy is in sight, and our flag
moving onward ~ He could not resist
him-his demand was acceded to, and the
regiment took its ''place in the picture,'
brilliant light in the canvass. Gen. Quit
man told him, too, that the flag of the Pal
metto regiment was the first that waved
over the City of Mexico. "Sir, l was with
that regiment at the gates of the city, and
when called for flag to plant upon that
gate, the Palmetto flag was the only one
there, and that was the flag that first spread
its folds in triumph over the Capitol of
Mexico.
Mr.. Keitt mentioned this glorious testi-
mony to the brave Palmetto boys, because
an effort had been made to supplant them
and falSify this truthful history.
Another incident he could not omit, in
his desultory ramble. While others had
spoken of gallant commanders who had
fallen in the post of honor, there were others
and many subordlnates and privates, to
whom he could award passing tribute, did
time allow, but he would only alllde to one
who had been there, but had fallen in
another field, battling for the Palmetto
State. He alluded to the noble Brooks
his poor friend Brooks-his collcague-his
companion-his room mate. He spoke of
his n"bleness, his gentleness. his magma
i 81 4ol l. 4 -: I
in illustration of his character. He could
not trust himself to speak more of him, but
his object was now to mention an incident
he derived from him. relative to his younger
brother who fell at Churrubusco.
Poor Preston Brooks had designed and
was having executed to wear a signet ring,
in memory of his noble spirited brother,
when he himself was taken from the scene
of all his earthly honors and labors.
When another regiment fed, and all the
horrors and scourges of war were pouring
down upon the gallant Palmettos, bathed in
the blood of their c"mradcs-when Shields
said, "Who will follow me - and Butler
said, 1--WE will ''-Brouks. yes, the strip
ling Brooks, cried out, Yes, all will follow
YOU to the death !''-and he did, The
same ball which pierced his body shivered
his musket-and shivered musket was TO
adorn the signet, with the motto salts meru-
isse. When this brother left home, Brooke
| told him, his father said to, his old body
servant, go with him. and take care of
him i confide my son to you" How did
the good old negro act? When the bap-
tiSm of blood was going on-when the perils
were lingering everywhere-when the hot
ignition of stratum was everywhere-with
none to watch the wounded boy but this
old servant, he was at his labor of love,
taking care of his charge. Crushed bones
worked out from the wound-he gathered
them up and preserved them. The noble
spirit passed out, and the corpse alone was
left. What did the old and faithful slave
The regiment gave him mule and cart
the soldiers helped him to make a rude
coffin. With his own hands he placed the
earthly remains of his beloved young mas
ter in the hearse-he conveyed it to Mexico
he carried it to Vera Cruz-he bore it on
shipboard and by railroad to his old mas
ter's home. and delivered the body and the
bones of her child to his widowed and be-