Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1861-04-27


their stronghold, by which they expected to
subjugatc our country. We huve met them
and we have conquered We have defeated
their twenty millions, and we have made the
proud flag of tne stars and stripes, that never
was lowered before to any nation on this earth,
VIC have lowered it in humility before the
Palmetto and the Confederate flags, and we
have compelled them to raise by their side
the white Gag, anu ask for an honorable sur
render.
They have surrendered, and this proud for
tress, that was attempted to be fortress for
despotlsnl, has now become, as its name indi-
Gates, fortress for our independence. Be
sides, onc OF their most scientific officers, on
the 10Th OF last December, escaped from what
he called weak fort and untenablc, and went
over to this strong and powerful position be-
cause he could maintain himself, and because
1t was pronounced the key of the harbor-
lie left Fort Nc lltric because it was untcna-
Die and at the mercy of Sumter He chose
Sumter as his fortress We took the ono he
has deserted, and with it whipped him to his
hearts content. And this proud fort of ours,
so consccratcd in the history of our country,
has again, on this 18th day of April, achicv-
ed our independence, MS it did in the memo
rabIc days of the revolution. Yes, it was ex-
ultingiy proclaimed that we had not the pow
cr to do it. We were ridiculed, and we were
held up as the chivalry of this country, and
they attempted to throw upon us even scorn
and contempt
Fellow citizens, the danger may not yet be
over, and would be the last man to counsel
any prcmaturc.o or extreme measures. l new
CT would counsel my fellow citizens, in the
day OF proud victory, to anything else but
noble forbcaranc" nd noble generosity
The man who dcrended that fort has many Of
the attributes of brave soldier Let us not
only show that we are brave people, but
generous and magnanimous people, and that
We would not use any extreme or cxulting lam
guage calculated as unworthy of high-toned
and chlvalrous race. Remember that the
danger is not yet over. We, perhaps, may
have just commenced the opening of events
that may not end in our day and generation.
Remember that there is now hostile feet of
seven sail OF your harbor, directed by bitter
and malignant foes They have come here
proudly scorning and contemning your posi-
ton. They may attempt to enter, but | say
to them this night, in defiance, let them come,
let them come. If they do, although VIC may
not wrap them in flames, as we have Sumter
we will wrap them iu the waves and sink
them too deep ever to be reached by pity or
mercy.
But three months ago, was ridcued for
attempting to fortfy the channel on Morris
Island and | was riiculcd for attempting to
hold Fort Nloultric under the fire of Sumter.
was ridiculed for attempting to keep out
what they call the United States Navy
Many men, although cur best men, thought
it WIS n fruitless undertaking. But in the
short period of three n.onths VIC have the
channel fortified, so that at this moment it de-
ties the proud Navy Of the United States
We have had great many delicate and pecu-
liar relations since the Goth vf December last
We took the lead in coming out of the old
Union and in forming this new Confcaeracy.
We, therefore, had certain relations to those
who were to come out and stand by our side.
We owed great deal to those who were ex-
pccted to come with us. We were bound to
consult their feelings and theirintcrcsts, and
it was due that we should be forbearing as
well as free. We are now one of the Confed
crate States, and they have sent us brave
and Scientific officer, to whom the credit of
this days triumph is due. He has led you
to victory, and will lead you to more if occa-
sion offers.
hope on tomorrow, Sabbath though it
| be, that, under the projection of Providence,
and under tho orders of General Bcaurcgard,
commander of our forces from the Confedcr-
ate States, you shall have the proud gratif-
cation of seeing the Palmetto flag raised up
ON that fortress, and the Confederate Hugo
these free and independent States side by
side with it; and there they shall float forever,
in defiance of any power that man can bring
against them. We have hunbled the flag of
the United States, and as long as | have the
honor 10 preside as your Chief Magistrate,
SO help me God, there is nopower on this
earth shall ever lower from that fortress those
flags, unless they be lowered and trailed in i.
sea of blood. can here say to you, il is the
frst time in the history'of this country that
the stars and stripes have been humbled. 1t
has triWnphed for seventy years, but to-day,
on the 18Th day of April, it has been hum,
bied, aud huniblcd. before the glorious little
State of South Carolina. The stars and
stripes have been lowered before your eyes
this day, but there arc no flames that shall
ever lower the flag of South Carolina while
have she honor 10 preside as ynnr Chief Mig
istratc. And pronounce here, before the
civilized world, your independence is bap.
tized IN blood your independence is won
upon a glorious battle field, and you are free
now and forever, in defiance Of world in
arms. tE s"-' t'. F't
We have gone through, undcr the guidance
of Providence, so far successfully and tri-
ulnphantly We have met the danger, and
the peril amid the storm and the booming of
cannon aud yet, wonderful to say trinniph-
ant and glorious M the result has Gheen there