The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1860-02-10
THRILLING ELCoUENcr


tanned in the speech, ofthc Hon. Mr.. Io,,,~
delivered in the House on Wednesday Wa
honor the head and the hear. from wl;,,
they proceeded. The iucilcnts narrated
cannot fail TO moistcn every eye hy which
they are pcruscd. The language employed
tor the purpose is the language Of elevated
patriotism:
"lhe diStrictswhich represent, and tic
country from which I colnc--that conrtry
made famous 10y tho raid Of Brown-w WIS
the first, the very first in all the South, to
send Silrror TO Massachusetts,. in one Of
the most beautiful spots in that lcautiful
county, within riff" shot Of my residence, at
The base Of hill, where a glorious sp,in.
! leaps out into sunlight from lcuca,i, the
gna'!c! roots of II thunder riven oak, there
assembled on the 10Th OF July, 177J, the
very first band scout: crn men lro mach.
eel to tha aid Of Massachusetts. They nc,
there, and their ralyirg cry waS, Il bec.!;nc
for Boston
"lhat beautiful and peaceful valley mad
never been polluted by the footsteps Of a
toe; for even the Indians themselves kcp;
I It FREQ from the incursion of the enemy
1t was the hunting rage and neutral ground
OF the aborigin:cs. This band assembled
there; and a 'hec...ine for Boston' va, made
from thence. Before they marched they
made pledge that all who survived would
assemble there fifty years after tha. dav
1t was my pride and pleasure TO be present
when the fifty years rolled around. Three
aged, feeble, tolteriug men-!hc survivors
OF that glorious band Of one hundred and
twenty-were aiI who were left to keen
their trust, and be faithful 10 :l.c nlc,s,.
made tityyears before to their COMPANIONS;
the bones Of many Of whom were b!cuch;n,r
on the Northern hills.
Sir, have often heard from tic last sur
v'vor of that band Of parrot, the incidents
OF their list meeting and their march how
they made some six hundred miles in twenty
daya-l"riy miles a day--anJ how, ..s
they nearct their point Of destination.
Washington, WHO happened to be making
Reconnaissance in the nciyhi,orhoo,!, saw
them approaching and recognizing. the !insev
wool>cy hunting shifts Of old Virginia.
rode up to meet and greet them to the
camp; how, when he saw their captain
his old companion in arms, Stephenson who
stood 10y his side at the Great Meadows O:
Braddock's fatal field, and in many an In
dian campaign, aud who reported himself
TO his commander as from the right bunk
cf lie Potomac'-he sprang from his horse
and clasped his old friend and companion
i'll arms with both hands. lie spoke no
wcrd OF welcome, but the cloqucnce Of
silence tod what his tongue could no,
ar''cu'a'e. lie moved along the ranks
shaking the hand of each, from ma, to
man, and all tho whi!e--as my iuformcr
told me--thc big tears were seen coursiuc
down his manly cheek.
"Ay, sir, Washington wep;! Ard why
lid the glorious soul CT Washington swell
with emotion! Why did he weep. Because
he saw tha. the cause Of Massachusetts was
practically the cause Of Virginia: because
he saw that her citizens recognized The
great principles involved in the contest.
These Virginia volunteers had come spon-
taneous!y. They had come in response TO
the words Of her Henry, that were leapne
like live thunder through the land, ste.nr
the people Of Virginia that they must, figh,
Tor Massachusetts. They had come to rally
by Watbington's side, to defend YOUR
fathers firesides to project their homes from
harm. Well, Tho visit has been returned ! !
John Brown selected that very county as
the spot for his Invasion; and, as was men
toned in the Senate, the rock where See
man fell was the very rock over which
Morgan and his tncn marched few hours
after Hugh Stevenson's command hadcrc-
ssed the river some two miles further up.
May this historical reminiscence rekinde
the embers of patriotism in our hearts ,
Why should this nation of ours be tent in :
pieces BY this irrepressible conflict rs it
lrrepressible7 The battle will shot be {
Fougheout here. When the dark day comes
30 come it may; when this question that f
now divides and agitates the hearts of the 7
people can only Be decided BY tie bloody +
of the sword, it will be the
addest day for us and all mankind that the
un of Heaven has ever shone upou.. j
II trust; Mr.. Clerk, that his discpssioan n = q
viii nov cease 4 trust that all Will make v v
y effort, BY balloiing, and bya succession y
baIlotngs, 10 organize the House Il =
tiisf Tia INC s,.; II a. 1s s,a.s9 W