Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-04-26
sERENADE OF THE HON. RoaERRA.. sRY-
Or -

OR.
The arrival of the Hon. Roger A. Pryor, of
Virginia, at the Charleston Hotel last night, |
took his friends by surprise. Notwithstanding
the absence from the city of so large proper
tion OF our citizens. now On duty at the har-
Dor batter,es. quite large concourse assembled
with brass band in front of the portico of the
Charleston Hote!, and stirring stains of Dixie"
and the Marselaise, succeeded by hearty calls
for Pryor" finally brought out that gentle
man Just as lie appeared. the line of the
companies which had just arrived from Clar-
l.na and Kershaw came in sight. They, how
ever. were hurrying towards the boat. and
could not hear Dir. Pryor's speech. AS the
sound of their drums died away in the dstanse
Mr.. Pryor rose, and latter the cheering which,
had greeted him had subsided, said :-CAarles-
ton Mercury.
South Carolinians: For this demonstration
of your regard, beg to return my grateful &C.
acknowledgements. I am here in Charleston in
pursuance of q pledge. voluntarily given, that
so soon as I might be able to release mysele
from certain very imperative engagements in
Virginia, L would come ,hither, and upon the
soil OF South Carolina, Offer ip person tho trib-
ute Of my infinite admiration (Applause. y
Gentlemen, ever since was capable of ,hnk-
ing upon political affairs. my studies have been
directed, and my judgment has been determn-
ed by the authority of the great statesman of
South Carolina (Cries of "good, ,1ssand loud ap-
plause,) but never until this crisis did appre-
ciate the character OF South Carolina in oil
the grand proportions of its true worth. IRE
newed npplause.) Alone she trod the path of
revolution. For three mortal mouths she stood
solitary and assisted, not only mark for the
vituperation of her adversaries. but, unkind.
est cut of all, the victim of the unjust suspi-
clons OF those for whom she was contend,ng.-'
Alohsifor three mortal months she stood expos-
ed not only 10 those moral attacks, but to all
the physical power Of this once great Cofifed-
GRAFTON. Yet did not her gallsnt heart quail.
never did her cheek blanch. (Applausc.) In
all tue compass of my very limited reading
cann1t RECALL any exhibition at all adequate 10
this in the true elements Of the moral and sub
lime. Leonidns at the pass of Thermopyloe,
suggests the ouly equivalent to South Carolina
| to-day, oontending for tire rights of freemen
| ogainst the horde of Black Republican bar
barians. tApplausc.) But she took the step,
| aud when she took that step--a step more
momentous than which transported Caesar be,
yond the waters of the Rubicon-when South
| Carolina, on the goth of December-yes, on
the both of December--declared herself torn
| from the infectious embrace of the digraceful
and disastrous confederation, she did not know
that one solitary Common wealth would extend
to- her sympathy and succor. Nevertheless,
she stood firm. OF is it told in old England's
story that the field of death is the vay to
glory; and now is South Carolina about to
reap the reward of vaIor enlisted in the cause
of truth and Justice. Gentlemen, thank you
for that; thank SOU especially that you have
at last annih Hated this accursed Union, Zap
plause,) rocking with corruption. and insolent
with excess Of tytnnny.' Ta ank God, II ibYat
last blasted and riven by the lightning wrath
of an outraged and indignant people. (Loua
sppiausc.) Not only is It gone. but gone for
ever. (Cries of ''You're right" apd appla use }
In the expressive language Of Scripture, it is
water sPilt upon the ground, which cannot be
gathered uP. (Applause) Like Luc,fer, Son
of the Morning. it has fallen never to rise
again. CONTINUED appLuse.) For ;iayspsrt
gentlemen,'f Abraham 'Encoln and Hannibal
Hnmblin, tomorrow, were 10 audcate their
offices, and were to give me blank sheet Of
paper to write the condition of reannexati ito n
to the dsfunct Union I would scornf fpliy sparu
the ovetsure. (Applnuse.) And yhy, gentle
tlemens Why, fellow.citizens-for autici.
pate but very little IN salutiqg you as follow.
eitizeus eus>-(lOud--applssse)-why, because our
grievance,hes not been on the ground of. the
in'ufficiency Of the guarantees 50 rauolr az ti,e
unnlterable perfidityo of the gusrantora Gap.
plsuse.) Inasmuch IS they would not fuifll. the
stipulations Of the old consttutlsa. puch less
will they carry out any guarantees Of stronger
import to the intersat. of the South. And
therefore invoke you. and make it. in come
sort. personal appeal-personal SO far as it
tends TO our assistance in Yirginia-I do in yoke
ynp in your demdhatf ations of popular opinion
in your exhibitions Of official l6fspt to give no
countennnce to this idea Of reoonstruction.-
(Msby voices. 1mphatiealIy, never and ap-
plause.) In Virginia they all say. II reduced
to the dread dilemma Of this memorable liter.
aative. they will espouse the cause Of the sodth
: as against the interest Of the Northern. CON
1eaeraey' but theX whisper OF reoolstTuotion'
and they say, Virginia must abide in the IN
ion. with the idea Of reconstructiag the Union
which yqg have anp'hilsted. p.s9. you, gen.
tlemen rob them Of that plea. PlosIs5n totkf
world that upon no aanditian, and under ii
circumstances,Aw will South Carolina ever again
enter into political association with the Abo-
ltionists Of New England, Cries ef meyer,
and hpplsuse) 4Gentiemen, I:undsrstaid, sine
lhave been in Charleston. that there II 5soiansi
apprehension az. to the uitina,s2 decisia, d
Virginia 10 this crisis. Nov, 1 an, NOT 1t, d
auihoriEsd:to speak far. vitginiG y wish Il
tGpd I,vAs. II 50. ! would put her ost
~ o'clock h.Right. Tremendous spplAuse
Bat t4bid Yau -snd ! speak NE words Of mos,
sober truth-T bid you disnif@ all spprsh ensse,,
ss 10 che ultimate 4ttttRds of Old y,sginis !,
this sentroyeess. Give the Old lady time
3 IAa6 6htsr.J She cannot if6Ts With tEE saeiiit1
an t.f.