The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-01-13
observed the day by public celebrations nS sns

CratOr6 OelD8 tue laCe hof. ". L N"
the Rev. J. L. Girardeau. .,o,,oa O,
Grace6 and renowned, by being selected as
the custodans of the baltle-nag VI Ooaono,
Washington, identified with me g.HInes gnhss,sa ",
.tEutawD and 1.-The Cowpens," 1t has celeoraseo
his achievements, and In fond feVeienCe uas
erected fitting monument TO MS PSst,nea nt auu
himself in Magnolia CemeLer,y; ,n, anS n,S ,mnoso %
inp military parade, one OF the nnesC ever
seen In Charleston, and was COMMANDED oy
Ganersl James Slmons, then colonel oi tue
Eirst Regiment OF Artillery. The orator oi
the day was the Hon. William Porcner mlies,
and a poem was pronounced, written 10 u nono,
Of the occasion, by the late .anr salaue. nam.
Dlakson. M. D., prominent honorary mem
nsr of the company. Bearing the name OF
his oreater kinsman, the soldier, statesman
and natriot of the Republic, "hret IN war, ana
irst in peace" his natal day has been tneir
anniversary, and they have ever orougne 10
It's celebration hearts of grateful homage; as
year after year has rolled on, tnelr olatols
nave revived the story Of his life, and eniorc-
ed the supreme virtues of his character, un-
euualled exemplar alike OF The ontles Oh citl-
zen and soldier. In this pious work. tne genius
of their city has been enlisted IN all lts many
Years. and the memory OF 1.-THE Father OF
his Country" has been embalmed ID tue eio-
ouenoe of It's most gifted sons. Great nave oeeh
lneir privileges, proportionalely stea' soer, saen
that they have realized the claims OF ooln.
and acted up to their high calling. whist
exhibiling In peace fond "esprit ae corps"-
sxactnsss OF drill. Furnished arms, and all the
pomp and glory OF parade-haVe they noC
proven themselves ever ready, al tne cali oi
duty, and up to sll the trials OF battle, ana an
lhe endurance Of the march! Wnllst meet,
ino ,hs slern exlgencles of grim war, and
nayinu its crimson tax in fullest measure,
have they not always, On the other Band, ID
tner entire association with their 0rolner
soldjers of this and other communities, ,oellgnl-
I'd in the graceful courtesies which are as gar
land to the true soldier, lending nobility TO
their obedience, and grace 10 tnelr lnCel
course and whilst given 10 nospltal!y, ana
distinguished Tor their entertainments anu
fesliye oourtesies, has not temperance, IN al
things, crowned their feasts, and t6elr oe
Invrd chaplalns, the Revs. DeWar Slmons,
,Iohn England, Samuel Gilman, a. L. Porter
ever been congenlal and welcome guests, anu
NAV we not truthfully claim for our corps,
that such was its devotion 10 guy, ano suon
its thoroughness In drill Gnd dlsclpllne, CDat
IL became, In fact, nursery Of off1cers, and
eyery private was fitted for command! Was
this not strikingly Illustrated In the recent
war, when, in brlet space, company eua-
denly expanded into battalion, and regl-
menis and brigades were commanded py lts
members! ,n..,,,x,o,
WV
LIGHT Infantry has given to the community
m Tia equal government the example OF the
perfect image of o true Democracy, Where tne
riphts aud selt-reepect OF each member were
sarnpulously guarded! Where subordination
was recoaciled with liberty and eqiaiity,
where the private ofto-day was taught 10 e4-
pect 10 be captain on the morrow, anu Hnele
fhere was no other distinction than merit,
and no other foundation Tor rank than htness
and servicef
with such a history, such associations, such
achIevements such happy fortunes, enali tnl5
ancient company be permitted TO ianguisn
With an inheritance OF such ancient cate,
coming down through many generations, ana
growing In value as 1t grew 10 years, snall not
Ihe grandsons of the founders, and the sons
of those who succeed them, build upon the
foundations Of their fathers and grandslres
and swell to even larger proportions an lnst-
tniion which has, through 30 many V1clssi-
tnnes. stood the test of time and trial, and
borne such abundant and benehcent fruit!
The naked, unadorned story OF the WASH
ington Light Infantry Is lhe strongest appear
That could be written to ths community, and
especially 10 the young men OF Charleston, 10
rally to its ranks In 1uli numbers and perpet-
nate fls usefulness. As has been seen, 1t had
its birth In patriotism. In every slage OF its
existence It has borne witness TO ils origin,
aud illustrated. In every step OF its onward
snd upward progress, the virtues OF the cili'
zen soldier.
Need we, then, ask the young men Of our
city 10 swell Its ranks, and the old to replen-
ian It's treasury and plant 1t once more on
firm and broad basis, that lis ancient splen-
dors msy be revived. and It's pristine useful-
ness renewed, and that 1t may abide for long
wears to come. IN ornament and guard TO
our dear old city and eur beloved Common
wealth.
The undersigned, long associated with the
'sWashlngton Light Infantry Companies"
unite in presenting the claims OF this organl-
cation to your most favorable consideration !:
Ex-Captain Carson moved that the appeal
be adopted, and that the members present au.
thorize their names to be signed thereto when
published. He felt great confidence In the
proper influence it would exert on the young
and old in filling up the ranks with approved
members, and furnishing the necessary pecu-
mary cid for che full and complete equipment
of the Washington Light Infantry Rihe Club.
Mr.. Lowndes seconded the motion, and 1t was
voted enthusiastically and unanimously. On
motion of Mr.. 8. 8. Howell, ST., the meeting
then adjourned.