The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-04-05
THE SPIRIT OF THE SOUTH.
4 CHARLESTON GREETING 10 HORA.
ITO SEYMOUR AND ". C. BRYANT.

| 4 CHARLESTON GREETING 10 HORA-
ITO SEYMOUR AND w. C. BRYANT
The Hon. VIM. D. Porter's Remarks at
the Reception given by Colonel Lath-
ers-An Eloquent Expression OF the
| Sentiment OF our People.
! At the reception given the Hon. VIM. G.
Bryant and the Hon. Horatic Seymour, oy
Colonel Richard Lathers, on Wednesday eve
ming, the eloquent and feeling address dellV-
cred by the Hon. VIM. D. Porter delighted
every one who heard 1t. In compliance with
a very general desire, we have the pleasure
OF placing Governor Porters remarks before
the readers OF The NEWS:
ADDRESS OF THE HON. W. D. PORTER.
Ladies and Gende,nen-I am sure we all
feel grateful to our host, Colonel Lathers, for
the opportunity of meeting and interchanglng
Views with his distinguished guests from the
North, both of whom are well known to fame
one In the field of politics and craftsmanship,
the other In the higher and serener region Of
| poetry, where, like his own Waterfowl" be
hoyers, self-sustained In the thin, pure atmos-
phere aloft. They come as friends, With
words of peace on their lipa. We give them
welcome, and cordially reciprocate their
friendly greetings. Once enemies, now fellow
countrymen, we lay the olive branch on the
altar of common and reunited country.
Let each one come with honest
purpose, and over the sacred symbol OF peace
renew the VOW of mutual fidelity and COM
mon nationality. The war Is at an end; what
we now want is fair, substantial peace.
Henceforth, our fortunes and our fate are
one; and If we would make those fortunes
and that fate happy, prosperous and enduring,
the flag that floats over us should know no
distinction oil part or section, but embrace In
It's protecting folds all parts and all sections
as coequal portions of one common and un-
divided country. Let whatever OF bitterness
or prejudice may remain on either side be
buried out of sight. Let the memories and
the sorrows OF each be respected aud held
sacred. Let one hope, one aspiration, one
eudeavor Tor The common prosperity, animate
US all In the future.
These friendly visits will bring us all to
better understanding. There was an sum
pleasantDess" once; that Is over; but there is
| a Misunderstanding still. I do Hot mean to
say the fault Is all on one side, nor do mean
| to deal with any question of controverted poi
ltlcs. But cannot help thinking that the
people of the North have not appreciated the
honesty, depth and universally OF the senti-
ment that underlay the great secession move
| ment of the South. Itwas not only an honest
sentiment, but deep, sincere aud pervading
conviction connected with considerations OF
public safety. The cause or ground Of that
conviction is now removed. Whether 1t was
! :hem right or wrong, well-fonnded or Ill
| founded Is not now the question. l am deal.
| log only with the fact fits existence, and the
| universally of the sentiment or conviction ls
the beat proof OF It's honesty. whole people
do not enter upon great movement like that
with almost entire unanimity, and sus-
| tain 1t for gears with unparalleled sacrifice OF
| blood and treasure, 10 the very verge OF Inn
poverisnment and ruin, without the sincerest
convictions. We know that we were honest,
and that we did our very best to sustain our
position. We know, too, that we utterly
failed to do 30. And men that have honestly
and bravely fought out their fight, whatever
the result of the combat, can afford TO look
each other straight In the face, and strike
hands and be friends again. In such cases
men generally become faster friends than
they were before. They have tested each 9TH
er's mettle, and learned 10 respect It, There 10
no dlaparagement, no sense OF humiliation on
either side. Where all Is lost on one side but
honor, that very honor of the defeated and
the magnanimity of the victor furnish q
ground upon which both may stand upon a
footing of equality. 1--we did not feel and as.
sert our sincerity and manhood, We should
not be flt to be accounted American cilizens.
We lost cur cause, but we did not lose our
honor If we are Jealous of this, let a gener-
Gus sentiment appreciate and respect the
feeling.
We stand In view of Fort Sumter. What q
| tide of recollections does that name summon
up. 1t is not my purpose to rehearse them.
| Fort Sumter Ia Stubborn fact; 1t stands
where 1t stood; 1t is and will be memorable in
history; but 1t may be used for other purposes
than those OF war. Within sight and hearing
of the spot on which we stand the first gun OF
the civil war was fred. Now that the war ls at
an end, would to God that from this same
spot and on this very night there may go
forth voices that will calm the troubled
waters and charm down from above the bless.
ed spirit of peace to brood over them. Then
will Sumter, which first broke the echoes of
war and clothed herself with thunder, be girt
around with blessings, and stand forth to all
the world as the type and emblem oil peace In
| a once distracted but now reunited land.
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCIL.
| Regular Meeting.
| COUNCIL CHAMBER, April l, 1873.
Council met this day, at live o'clock P. NJ.
Presentation. John wagner, Mayor; Alder.
men U'Nelll, Bowen, Smith Gage, Garrett. Ken.
| ny, voigt Sweegan, Glover, Johnston, Moran,
i NJ 'Ctr, do Dale opd ~tnCu oil