The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-12-01
FIREMES,S TESTIMONIAL.
uas,,,e Trsbute TO Chief Nathan
Speeches by Chief Nathan and Angus
tine T. smythe, ESQ.,, of the Phoenix.

For some time past measures have been OF
foot among the members of the Charleston Fire
Department to obtain for their Chief testl
monial of regard worthy Of the affectionats
esteem in which they hold him. They, o.
course, succeeded in this, as in everything else
which they undertake, and the silver service
ordered from Mr.. J. E. Spear, King-street, was
tribute of which both the Department and lts
Chief might we'll feel proud. 1t consists OF
pitcher, two goblets and salver, all of solid
silver, handsomely chased and ocnamented'
and engraved in the highest style OF the art BY
the skilful and experienced hand of Mr. Fisher,
an artist worthy of the occasion. The enSraV-
ing on the various articles was as follows:
Salver- Handsome wreath around the iuserlp-
ton, ssPresepted to our Chief, NJ. b. Nathan,
by the Fire Department of Charleston hand
engine, steamer and truck, and below this the
inscription, Gas o testimonial of our apprecla-
ton OF his long and faiteful services-Nov. ~,
1868.
Goblets-Ihe inscription, Presented to
Chief NJ. Il. Nathan, by the Fire Department
of Charleston, Nov 80, 1868.
Pitcher-Same as goblets:
The ceremony Of pre- sentation took place last
evening, at Market Hall, in presence Of tho
Board of Firemasters, and representatives OF
every company in the department.
Augustine T. Smythe, Esq, chairman or the
committee of arrangements, called the meeting
to order, and Messrs. Sigwald, of the Pioneer,
Webb OF Hook and Ladder No. 2, aud Hickey,
of the Hope, we're appointed committee to
wait on Chief Nathan and request his presence
in the hall.
The committee returned in short time ac-
companied by the veteran chief, wao was
vociferously applauded. AS soon as he reached
the vacant space IN front Of the board, Mr..
Smythe addressed him as follows
M. Nathan: The Fire Department OF
Charleston, over which you have so long anu
ably presided, being deeply impressed with tue
Importance and efficiency OF the services you
have zealously and faithfully renuered them,
have desired in some manner to testify their
recognition and appreciation of these services,
and have been requested, as their represent
tative, to convey to you this evening lne OK
preston of their continued regard and esteem, en-
The Fro Department of Charleston ls one
we'll known and Justly celebrated throughout
The length and breadth Of this land for Its
superiority In efficiency and discipline, rs well
az in the material of which it is composed.
MANY other cities possess departments OF wnlch
they may Justly be proud, but ours ssano u un-
liyalled in the hold which it has upon the anec-
tions Of our community, the position OF com
mandinp influence which it occupies in our
CITY. And this reputation is not one OF yester,
cav. but one which has been ours for years and
Years, and tonight we can proudly claim 1or II
the same pre-eminence as OF yore, as we stand
with increased numbers and undlmlnlshed ar
dor, ready and wiling to meet and to conquer
our old fiery enemy. .:,
THE positlou of chief of such department Is
at once proud and yet difficult one. Much,
very much depends on his efficiency, anu IL Is
by his efforts and his care that the interests OF
the department are in great measure pro-
moted. And We cannot but feel that much OF
the position which we now occupy, ana OF
which NE are proud, is dae to the energy,
f"skiII and untiring interest MANIFESTED Oy YOUR
self in all that concerns us. During those
dark days when the gloomy mantle OF war and
civil commotion was wrapped around us, and
our community, nay, our entire country, was
rent and distracted by the fierce conflicts OF
the hour. when society after society suspend
ed or disbanded, and organization after
organization was broken up, by your
department, so invaluable to us all as
firemen and as citizens, was preserved intact
though enfeebled and in debt, Tith many OF
Its engine houses destroyed, its engines out
of repair aud injured by the long and hard
usage OF the war, some even having ooen
destroyed by its vicissitudes; still as an OF
ganized department it emerged from the gone
raj desoistion. And then it was in great mea-
sure. through your labors and energetic ap-
peals, both at home and abroad, that the work
of active reorganization was commenced, new
companies have been formed, new and I'M,
proved machines have been procured, tho OLD
ones have been overha lied aud put III proper
houses built; and to-day the department stands
with largely increased numbers and improved
membership, as we'll and as proudly as 1t ever
did in the most promising days OF the past.
But we do not feel that our indebtedness to
you ends here Since the actual struggle OF
war has ceased, We have had many changes IN
our city administration from its entire sup)ec-
ton TO the military, to Its present organi1a-
ton. Through all these changes, whether
pleasant or unpleasant, we havo ever found
Won at YOUR post, ready and on tue a.ert to
watch over and forward the interests commit
ted to your charge, and it Is in large degree
By your earnest and persistent efforts that we
are now placed in position OF somewhat
pecuniary lndepe ndence..
After consideration therefore OF these SER
vices, proposition WAS started in the Depart
ment to give excression to these feelings, and
to present to you some tribute OF our apprecl-
alton of YOUR labors. The proposition so made
having been brought before our company, was
there unanimously carried, and their action
having been communicated to tbN other COM
panies Of the Department, Que after another
adopted it, until tonight we stand here com-
mittee composed of representatives rom every
company in the Fire Depal tment OF charleston,
to tender to you our unanimous thanks tor the
zeal and energy you have ever displayed IN oil
that concerns the Department, and our appre-
ciation OF your interest in aud care over us.
ALLOW me, then, dear sir, as the representa-
tive Of this committee, itself representative
body, to present you with this testimonial or
our regard and esteem, and to tender you, IN
behalf of the Fire Department OF Charleston,
our since % good wishes for your future pros
periiy, and our prayers that you may long DC
spared to rule over and direct US.
Mr. Nathan repliel:
Mr.. Smgihe and gentlemen ofMe Fre Depari-
naent This beautiful gift, of which am the
recipient, and which, 1. am we'll convinced, IS
owing rather to the partiallty OF your friend
ship, than to any merit of niue, shall ever and
always be esteem d by me and handed down to
INV children's children, as an heirloom. l
cannot be vain enough to suppose for an in
slant that this offering springs from any pecuc.
liar merit on my part, in the administrator OF
the important uuties involving so much OF lie
and property, which Ihave been called upon to
assume for the past ten years. That is mere
freak Of fortune or accident. Your friendship
and my fate are both combined to sustain me
- KYAt,