Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-08-04
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From the Special Correspondence of the Mercury.
DINNER TO THE lion. JAMES II. HAMMOND.

HAMBURG July 22.-The Beech Island I'm
ner given to-day, in honor Of Gov Hammond,
by his friends, neighbors and constituents in the
vicinity, has been no common fcStivity with the
good people of Edgefeld District. At an early
hour the sons and daughters Of Carolina, with
many from Georgia, sailed forth to JOIN their
testimony of appreciation, and to give greeting
to the distinguished Senator. At III O'Clock
there was an asscmblage Of five hundred per-
SONS in the pine groves Of Beech Island. Three
hundred of these were of the faircr sex The
Agricultural Club House, three-quarters OF
mile distant from Senator Hammond's dwelling,
was the location selected for this festive occa-
sion. Benches were arranged beneath the shade
of the trees for the ladies, and ever and anon
the hum Of the multitude was arrested by
strains Of music from an excellent brass band.
At IL o'clock the ceremonies Of the day be.
gun. The Committee of Reception escorted
Senator Hammond to the platform, where he
was welcomed by DR.. II. h. Cook, OF Beech
Island, in substance Us follows:
Gov. Hammond: Allow me, sir, in the name
of your neighbors and constituents, as Chairman
of the Committee of Reception, to welcome
YOU back to your home. In times past, as
Representative in the lower branch OF our Fed
eral Legislature, as Chief Magistrate Of the
siA>
peculiar institution in existence among US, you
exhibited such marked ability as to cause deep
regret ON the part Of your numerous trends at
your retirement into private life, some hlteen
wears ago. 1t was, therefore, IL source OF no
common qualification to your admirers when II
became known, last winter, that you were again
called forth into public life. 1t was q cause o
concratulation to know that your talents were
to be again employed in the service Of the coun,
try. And such las been your course in the
United States Senate Is to confirm the opinion
previously entertained IN regard to you. While
=, statesman of enlarged views, you have
sought to maintain the dignity and advance the
prestige of the whole nation, you have not beer
deficient in duty towards your own section. N
fearless, able and enlightened representative
YOU have defended the constitutional Fights
the South. Combating the asperSons OF ianat
icisln and prejudice, you havcset forth her clam
10 prominent position among the nations q
the earth in so distinguished manner as JuStl
to entitlc you to the copmendation Of "wel
done. thou good and faithful servant" For, il
these times, when an uncompromising warlar
i, carried on by nearly the whole world, an
especially by. the Northern portion of this Cnlor
AGAINST African slavery-and believing as we d
that slavery is an institution not only sanctlonc
by ancient and modern usage, and recognize
by the Bible itself, but as it exists here condl
Give to the Development OF both races and
vital interest to us-it is q matter OF the grea,
est Importance that the South should be lepre
sented. not merely by distinguished ability a.
soundnesS Of views, but by that far rarer quail
tcation, patriotic integrity, ready at all time
if necessary to sacrifice selt.adyanccment to th
public welfare. Your career thus far ipdispte
that you possess these qualifications Tor til
senatorial office; and for this reason, as you al
our near neighbor, we have considered it but
prop-r- tribute 10 your services to make publ
Demonstration upon your retura tn Our n'ids
We have, consequently. invited the people Ael
assembled to-day to do You honor. They ~
EAGERLY waiting to catch from your own lips
brief account Of the important transactions
the last session Of Copgrpss; and your op'nlc
rs regards the futuPs prospects 1f tlp l,Hlo
That may not detaip them longer, | will NJ
end INV remarks by wishing yo4 long ar
brilliant career, and by again bidding yoq! .%e
come to the homes and hearts OF EdSefeld
Senator Hammond then came forward, in tt
midst of enthusiastic cheering, and addresSt
the assemblage for the space OF an hour. l
alluded to the grateful pleasure it gave him