Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-06-21
PARTING SERMON TO THE WASHINGTON
ARTILLERY.

tue "ash'ng" Artillery, delivered fron
the Pestico OF the City Hall to the troop
Just before marching to tue depot, on thei
departure for the scene of war in Virginia
fes'ie' the military, there were not les
than five thousand citizens presen. on ,l,i
interesting occasion:
Gentlemen of the Washington ARTILLERY:
Ar the sound of the bugle you are here
within one short hour to old adieu TO cher
Ished homes, and soon to encounter III,
perlls OF battle on distant field. It is ti,-
ting that here, in the heart Of this grea
ci'y-here, beneath the shadow of this Hall
over which floats the flag of Louisiana. :.
sovereignty and independence, you should
receive public and tender farewell. !,
is fitting that religion herself should will,
gentle voice whisper her brnedic,iop upon
your flag and your cause. Soldiers, history
reads to US Of wars which have been bap
t'4ed as holy; but she enters up on her re-.
;osds nohe shas is hoier than this in which
you have embarked. 1t Is war of defense
against wicked and cruel aggrcssion-a war
OF civilization against = ruthless barbarism
which would dishonor the dark apes-a
war OF religion against blind and bloody
'ana''rism. It is war for your homes and
hr'sdes-fer yonr wives and children-for
the 'aud which the Lord ha. given US for
heritage. 1t is a war for he maintenance
OF the oroadest principle for which free
people can c"ntend-,he right Of self gov
ernment. Eigh,y-five years ugo our fathers
fought in defense Of the chartered rinh, of
Elns''shlaen. that taxation and Representa-,
ton are correlaive. Wciheir sons, con-
tend day for the great American priuc.
pic that al! just government derives its pow.
ers from The will Of the governed. It j.
the cornerstone Of the great temple which
on this roNtiuent, has been reared to civil
freedom; and it's denial leads. as the events
ea tue past tRo months have clearly shown
to efesPotsR, the most absolute and intoler.
able. desnolis'n more grinding than tn a,
OF the Turk or Russian, because, it is the
despotism Of the mob, unregula,ed by
principle or precedent, drifting at the will
OF an unscrupulons and irresponsible ma
)ority. The alternative which the North
has laid before her people is the suaiuga-l
ton of the South, or what they are pleased
t" call absolute anarchy. They alternative
before us is, the independence Of tue South
or " tIespotism which will put its iron heel
upon all that the. human heart can hold
dear. This mighty issue is to be submit,
ted to the ordeal of battle, with the nations
OF the earth as spectators, and with the
dod OF Heaven as umpire. The tl,eater
appointed for tho struggle is the soil of vir.
g'nia, beneath the tdsl,ndow of her own
A'leghanIes. Comp'ehending the import
Of this great controversy from the first Vir.
g'nis sought to stand between the comba-
Eant'' ard pleaded for such an adjustment
rs both the civilization and the religion of
The age demaodrd. When this becape
hopeless. obcying the instincts Of that ma.
lure which has ever made her the Mother
Of Statesmen and Of States, sue has opened
her broad bosom 10 the blows of tyrsnts
land. Upon such thester. with such an
ssue pending before such . tribunal, we
'ave no doubt Of the part which will be
assigned you to play; and when We hear
he thunders Of your cannon echoiag from
he mountain passes Of Virginia, will uu-
ler'taqdsihat ynu mean. i,lsthe language Of
Cromwell a, the Castle Of Drogheda to Gu,
his war to the heart
1t only remsins. soldiers. to iavoke tho
blessing of Almighty God upon your honor
ID flag. Il waves in brave hands over tho
'a'lsht defenders Of a holy cau.e. It will
70 found in the t9ickest Of the fight, and
ke principles which it represents you viii
'etend to Tho ldst.of your blood Nay
'i"'ory psfch,. upon its staff in the 6our Of !.
j, battle, and peace I'D 6pgetsble pe.cs ,
-be wrapped ,,si 4 shen you |
ball re,a,p. ,.s 5|a
Its litle to.ix Sp d, g~,llbs !
sipenbsted. And pssd hs ftsauent ,
a,e Of tLs, soldier btSBsY6san lssollierf. l
sath, yon rfsE yupsf g,syss III ,hoa- {
aads es ss sttsseau N,s pen 81 history iahsll
rite sAs III 3senr. nsfsys sIeiS soE Is
ietS n sn,ax fha Etissa IL II. Ia