The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-08-14
ELOQUENT pERORATI0N.

TExtract from Rev. Dr. Palmer's ad-
dress in the Lee Memorial Chapel, June
q, 1921
Finally, we must bring over to the
future a patriotism that is borne of
adversely and trial, more intense and
pure than in the prosperous and joy.
ful past.
Love of country is cxtinguishable,
because it is tlial. 1t ranks with
that we owe to the parents that begat
US, and have given to us their image
and their name. But I plead for it
not upon the Geld footing Of duty,
but as precious sentiment of the
heart. AS principle it strikes its
root far down into the consciousness
but it's bloom must expand into u holy
passion and its fruits ripcn into acts
of enduring service for the public
veal. The best affections for the
soul arc those which strengthen un-
der trial. The alloy Of selfshncss
burns away in the crucible, and the
pure love comes forth with a power
81 endurance whice nothing C n cx-
haust. 1t is thus we bear up each
other the discipline Of life, not
through the compulsion Of necessity;
nor the cold obligation of duty, but
with warm devotion which finds it's
Joy in the ministries of love. A gen
uinc patriotism, is not that whicE
shouts itself hoarsc amid holiday Gel
ebrations; but when the country
groans in the anguish of great crisis,
waits upon it's destiny, though it be
that of tho tomb. And this land Of
ours, furrowed by so many graves
and overshadowcd by such solemn
memories, calls for a conservation of
the heart which shall be equal to its
grief. Tho patriotism which these
days demand must refine itself into
martyrdom. 1t must suffer as well
rs act. Strong in the consciousness
of rectitudo, it must norve itself to
endure contradiction and scorn. If
need be, it must weep at tho burial of
civil liberty, and wait with the hero
ism of hopo for it's certain resurrec-
ton. Such a spirit will wear out the
longest tyranny, and assist at the
coronation of a brighter destiny.
Young gentlemen Of tho University
have delivered tho message with
which folt myself charged. l have
not been able to address you with
the frippcries Of rhetoric; | have
done you tho higher honor of suppo-
sing you capable of sympathising
with the deep emotion of my own
heart. When your note of invitation
reached mo some months ago, IL
touched me with tho solcmnity of a
call from the grave. l felt, as | turn
ed my steps hithcr, that l was ma
king pilgrimage to my country's
shrine. 1 should be permitted to
stand uncovered at the the tomb Of
the immortal chief, who sleeps in
such grand rcpose beneath the aca-
demic shades where ho found rest
after heroic tolls. Should l look up
on it as the emblem of my country's
death? Or should l prophecy beside
it the birth Of a new career? Mem
orics holy as death have been throw
ing their shadows over my spirit, and
7 havc spoken in the interest Of coun-
try. of duty and of truth. The dim
forms Of Washington and Lce-twin
names upon American history as well
as upon your own walls-appcar be-
fore me the Rhadamanthus and the
Minos, who shall pronounce Judgment
upon every sentiment ] uttered here
If aught said by mo should draw the
frown of their displeasurc, may the
Angel of Pity drop tear and blot it
ont forever! Standing upon the soil
which gavo birth TO q Washing, a
Madison, a Jefferson, a. Henry, a
Randolph, a Marshal, Jackson, and
Il Lee and lifting the schroll which
hangs around the ensign of my ma
tive State the names of Pinkney, Lau-
rens, Rutlcge, Lowndes, McDuffic,
Haync, Calhoun, I summon their inn
mortal shades around his tomb whom
a nation has so lately mourncd. In
their dread presence solemnly de-
clare that the principles of our Faith
crs arc our principles to-day, and that
the stones upon which American lib
erty was first built arc the only
stones upon which it shall ever be
able to stand. And you, gentlemen,
representing the young thought and
hope which must shortly deal with
these mighty issues, 1 swear each one
Of you BY m oath moro solemn than
that Of Hannibal, not that you will
destroy llomo, but that you will save
Carthage. I charge you, if this great
Republic like a gallant ship must
drive upon the breakers. that YOU be
upon the deck, and with suspended
breath await the shock. Pcrchanco
she will survive it; but if she shrink
beneath tho destiny which has de-
vourcd tho great Kingdoms of the
past, that you save from tho mclan-
choly wreck our Ancestral Faiths,
and work out yet, upon this CONT
ncnt, tho problem of free, constitu-
tional and popular government.
And may the God Of deAtinics give
you good issno
EDITING a PAPER.