Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-05-11

Dinner in Charleston, S. G., April IA, 1865.
] At dinner given on the evening Of the
Ith April, 1868, at the Charleston Hotel,
Charleston, South Carolina, by Major Gen
aal Gilmore, to the guests on board OF
H. steamer Arago, invited by the Secretary
y War to witness the ceremony of raising
" United States flag on Fort Sumpter on
hat day, Major General Anderson having
taen toasted, in the course of his reply,
F,ld warm tribute to the Secretary OF
VA, Major General Dix, and the Hon. J
\ At, for the support they had given him
RhI.e in command oi that fort whereupon,
BENG called upon 10y the guests present,
" Holt spoke, in substance, as follows
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN While am most
grateful for the kind words Of Major Gen
pa Anderson, and for the generous recep-
w. which has been given to them, | feel
htte able to speak to you tonight, much
n you have encouraged me to do so. AS
Ry feet pressed the ruins of Sumpter to-
ahy amid the memories and associations
winch cluster there, and as | looked out
hpoh It's historic surroundings, and upon
Hat magnificent pan prama of events which
Stretches away from its crumbling walls, |
experienced emotions too profound for ut
Rrance, and was deeply conscious that ST.
RFhce would best express the awe, and
sohdrr, and admiration, and thanksgiving
SIth winch | was filled and so | feel now.
!. We all thank the President of the United
yates for that delicate and earnest appre-
aatIon OF the cravings of the popular heart,
sAch prompted hlm TO order that the flag
Fnch four years ago was lowered before
y lnsolent and treacherous foe should bv
VI hands of the then gallant commander
Y that fort, be to-day flung to the breeze
sa,utcd and honored by imposing ceremo.
PES on the part of both the land and naval
srceS Of the republic 1t was an epoch,
tnly proud epoch, i'll our lives, to have
saen privileged to witness this intensely
.'matlc and poetic triumph Of the symbol
Y our country's honor and independence
Fen IN the light of the gigantic struggle
\ winch the nation has since been engaged,
'Iupter and its heroic garrison stand trans
asHcd before us, and we realize at once
v" grandeur of the role they played, and
f VaStness of the influence which their
Il '0FaSe and faithfulness have exerted upon
Il 7" subsequent history. The cannonades
nee heard upon more than hundred fields
'attte are but the multiplied echoes of
H. guns OF Sumptcr, while the brilliant
ing the Spartan fortitude, and the ir,
FeHSlple enthusiasm which have marked
Progress Of our conquering army and
sr'iI' ss", are but answering puisations to the
'0llle spirit that there met and defed the
,,>' shock of the rebellion The wave of
"a. nFst rolled away from the walls of that
Nv ana swept on from stronghold to
n nonn9hold, and from State to State, ever
i,s ,nIlg and surging in its course until, in
5ofy circuit, it came back to Sumptel
- 9a.1' bearing high on its crest the banner
,r." ",lc4 4"i we have looked with gladdened
5,,,, UIaay not "a star lost, not a glory
ny,a y,'eu-emblematic in its entirety and
-r, ''s W the future of our beloved coun
r,,. =, as are the blackened and shattered
# 'g'' % Us over which it foated emblematic
.,H l"e fortunes Of the rebellion, whose
tr,;t 5t rattle is now heard on the plains Of
II I'ouS and desolated Virginia.
II "a'eu the satisfaction common to you