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

On Saturday evening last, Gov. Pickcns
was screnaded at the Charleston Hotel An
immense crowd was in attendance. After the
address by the Governor, loud calls were made
for General Beauregard, Mr.. Pryor aud others,
sAbut those gentlemen were not to be found,
their official duties requiring them elsewhere.
During tho delivery of the Governors ad-
dress, he was repeatedly interrupted by the
excited crowd withvociferous cheering. The
following is the substance of his remarks.
Ht Gentlctncn am in very poor condition
3 for speaking in this open air, in such noisy
place, with the passing of vehicles before us
But L thank you, gentlemen, for the very
kind manner in which you have been pleased
to welcome me. 1t is, indeed, glorious aud
exulting occasion we'll calculated to awaken
the proudcst and most glorious feelings that
: can bclong to anyfrec people The events of
the last day or two are well calculated to fill
the heart with gratitude to a suporintcnding
i Providence for his, kindness in protecting so
z many brave and good men from misfortunes
incident to all. Although, fcllow-citizens, I
do not pretoad to say that the triumphant
I and victorious results are in any degree
scarcely attributable to any skill of mine yet
Twill say that there has been no citizen in
this widespread land, who for the last three
2 mouths has felt such deep and intense anx-
icty as have There has not been a single
4 day, nor single night, which has passed over
me that has not illcdlny heart with the deep
est anxiety for my, beloved country
When reflected that so many brave and
patriotic young men, who, called to the res
cue of the State, were placed somewhat under
my care, and that they composed the flower,
and the hope, and the pride of South Carroll
ma, | confess TO you that often, often at night,
my heart has sunk under me with the deep
responsibilities under which / labored. /
know | have often been blamed by the i'm
pctuous and the jealous because have not
! been quick enough to attempt an attack upon
Sumter, and to- bring these young men undor
3 her raking fire, But fellow citizens, believe
me when tell you, abstpined because I
clearly saw that the day was coming when VIC
would triumph beyond the Sowdi of man to
put us down.
! When / was called upon to preside over the
dcstinieS of this State, after an absence of
three or four years from home, / felt that the
heaviest and most painful situation Of my life
had come. But so far as l was concerned,
as long rs / was Chief Magistrate OF South
4 Carolina, Iiwas determined to maintain our
{ separate independence and freedom at any
and at every hazard / felt that the State
was ID . peculiar position that we were i'm
nncdiatcly and: Ut the first. thrown upon the
most scientific and expensive branches of
modern warfare. We were then but ilIpref
pared te meet the sudden issues that migbt,bc
forced upon us, so TINT our cause had to pre-
/, sent firmncss aud decision on the one side,
with great cautiopand forbcarancc. Wowere,
IN fact, walking alone over dangerous gulf.
The1east misstep or want of coolnesS might
have preoipitated our cause into endless ruin.
Z With the heavy ordnance VIC had 10 procure,
8 and the heavy batteries that we were COMPEL.
cd to erect, felt under these circumstances
{ 1t rceaircd time, exact calculation and high
3 science, and IL would have been madness, il
'woald have been folly, to have rushed the
2 brave and patriotic mon intny charge upon a
2 work thatwas pronounced the Gibraltar Of the
iSogth. But when tho proper time had come,
'swlien L knew wo were prepared, there was not
q moment that was not prepared and ready
TO strike tho blow for ny State and tho inde.
, pendenec of my country let it lead to What
? ismight, oxen If ii led to blood and rhin.-4-
Thahk God, the day. has come Thank God.
the war is ppsp, hHd we viii conquer or per-
ish. TheS have yBnntingly aTayed .hoir
twenty setlliansof men aeainet ,is !; thew have
exalEingiy also arrayed their navy, and they
haye called us but q handful Of men, weak
and Isolated State, fullof pride, and what
they call chigalfy, and with the hated institu-
!, gon Of slavory, ss they supposed q source Of
sweakae4s tVOS bps NhiQh, a5Gaes isf q source
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