The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1860-02-28

to complete the harmones of this graceful tribute to
friend and companion in arms, whose good fortune it
has been to win your kindly approval shall cherish
the recollection OF this occasion with feelings of CRATE
FIJI pride and transmit to my poserty this most valued
emblem of your generous regard as an heirloom
which may serve to stimulate to noble and patriotic
effort and an elevated ambition.
In selecting as the fitting instrument to give exprcs
sion 10 your sentiments this trusy weapon, you have
rightly conceived the principles which actuatc me-
More than twenty years Of service in the State Militia
have not robbed my arm Of whatever capacity it may
have had to wicd sword, nor my heart Of its enthu.
siastic devotion the Military glory Of South Carolina.
In now retiring from active duty, after having borre
the commission Of the State for eighteen years con-
tinuously have never yet dreamed Of induiging in
the rcpose Of an ingorous and inactivity in the
! future. Should the Palmetto Banner ever WOO the
breezcs of the battle 6cld-wen that day comes Cen
tleme as come it must if it be in my day. and my
country has any place beneath its folds for this fash
ing steel it shall yet the gallant sons of old
Kershaw to noble achievements. And, should it come
when the Sod of the valley shall rest upon this mortal
frame trust it shall never want place to illustrate
the fame Of its gallant donors long as drop Of
my blood Shall pulsate in manly heart
| No, Gentlemen; no love of ease, reluctance to
serve the State, in these dull piping times Of
peace" induced to retire from the command of your
company. 1t fitting that l should give place to
younger men. and recognized in my successor young
gallant talented and enthusiastic those high princi-
pies of the gentleman and the soldier, which it has
ever been my endeavor to incrcate. and which um
proud 10 say have ever characterized the Camden
Light Infantry. Had it pleased the State to adopt
any efficient system Of Military instruction, it was my
purpose devote some years Of the life which
Providence may have in store for ME, to the Militia OF
old Ecfslaw. And, | do not now say Gentlemen,
that this handsome gift of yours may not yet adorll
some Militia pageant, should citizen sodiery yet
be afforded an opportunity Of placing themselves in
state Of tolerabe efficiency.
I como now Gentlemen, 10 the only painful episode
in this pleasing ceremonial. 1t had been my inlen-
ton to take no formcf leave of YOU a company !
feared to trust myself TO give uerance to the word
which sewers our connection. My sensbilities arc
either too strong or too weak for such an OCCASION
With me- this association has been holiday recrea-
ton, field for the qualification of petty vanity
Which reoiccs in the admiration Of wondering school
boys and gaping ders. 1t has been an honest earrl-
est effort to perform patriotic duty, than which, in
my Judgment there are few higher, whatever may be
thought of it by lazy citizens and luxurious gentlemen
who upon some preteXt or other, generally manage
to avoid it. the duty Of learning the art which
protects our affairs and our fres
In this sincere effort on my part, at times, some
word Of irriatio or too rigid eXacton OF some dis.
agreeable duty, may have grated harsliy upon the
feelings Of some one Of you. Lctit be buried in the
Lethean waters Of oblivion which flow from sense
Of human iuiirmity it was meyer meant
For myself Gentlemen. l am proud to declare that
no single "Reminiscences Of painful unpleasant ma
ture has impressed itself Upon my mind during the
whole course of our association.
Again, returning my heartfelt acknowledgment OF
your noble kindness, take my leave ofyou COM
pany, with my hearts best Wishes for your future hon
or, happiness and prosperity.
The impressive exercises Of the sword presentation
over the remainder of the regular toasts read and
responded to i'll the following order
G. The StOried aead Of our o,on STATE.
". L. DEPAss, Esq, was called out in response,
and being ready man. replied with his usual prompt
ness and earuestncss. He referred in glowing terms
to the honorcd dead Of our noble Commonwealth and
in brilliant and effective speech demonstrated that
aate Of the Conederacy could boast Of greater
bS.nesrosc
r And depaV!ingi lelfibehind them
Footprints on the sands of tinlc"
And appealing in an effective strain young Caro-.
lima to mautan our ancient prestige By adopting for
their imitation the noble cxamplars which we have had
in the forum and the field.
I. The Printing Press.
Mr.. J. W. CALL was named in response, but excused
himself rcserving his contribution for another feature
of the occasiou-thc preparation Of report for the
Journal.
s. DEKALB, DICKINSON, CANTEY, and MorrAT.
The gentleman 'booked" for response to the above
noble theme being absent from indispostious WM NJ.
SHANNON Esq, was called Out, who, in q brief but
impressive alusion to the "brave cd BARoN' carried
US back in Imagination 'tlc times that tried mems
souls and to the stirring events Of struggle that cost
the life blood Of so many Ike noble spirits His alu-
sion 10 the two noble of Kcrsaw and the gallant
Scotsman. was particularly touch:ng-it was the pure
offering Of deserved tribute, ly an carly and intimate
associate to the virtues Of an cutombed courage and
honor most sigally manifested in the lives of this no.
bile trio
9. WDman.-
Mr.. JonN T. DAVIS was announced as the rcspon-
dent to this sentiment which, we regret, the impcr-
sonathon of that most admirable trait in female char
aclcr mcdestv, caused him to decline.
VOLUNTEER roAsTs.
There were several volunteer sentiments a very few
Of which have beer able to secure in time for pub
licaton in this report We give below those we have
obtained:-
ISAAC RossEn-The Tories Of &c. and the .lbOE-
tiOnists OF the presenL-Thc difference exists as
between III Alligator and 4 Crocodile.
. A. NILEs-South Carolina may proudly boast Of her
cmigrant to her sister States Alabama and Mis-
sissippi, who have nohiy obcycd the call Of their
native State to meet in consultation against t!cr com.
mon enemy, Northern aggression.
The following volunteer was sent in, but inatvcr-
faulty overlooked at the table.
Z. J. nEITAY-The Ha,ps,s Ferry Demonstration
1t proves the aggressive policy Of the North. and
evidences no lore for the South in the Union.
Lieut. W. F. PERRY, who was absent through inlis
position sent in the following letter, which read
at the table,
BioNt1 Officers and F.ho'cS,l Of
The C"mRcn Light Infantry:
IndispoSition having prevented my participation
with YOU in your exercises to-day and uniting with
you around Ihc festive board, permit me to Offer you
the following sentiment in commcmoration of one who
50 justly wears tic appellaon Of the Father Of Ills
Cumtry:"-
Georgr Wlsaingbn-he Great and C2od Mrn.-ln
no instance has he rendered his country more i'm.
portant service than in bcq,cathing to her future sons
his great and good example
W.F PERRY.
! Camden. February 22d. 1850.
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