The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-12-24

this abandoned ring is to be overthrown.
And there can be no possibility OF any.
thing like fuir and good administra-
ton of the government until it is done.
At the Same time, We appreciate the
motives aud respect the consideration
which induced the Governor to give
the bill reluctant approval.
FoREFAruERs' DAY.-The anniver-
sary of the landing of the pilgrim
fathers was celebrated by the New
England Society of Charleston. by a
banquet. A number Of persons were
present. The following letter from
Gov. Chamberlain was read:
COLUMBIA, s. c.. Dec. u. 1874.
John q. Steele, Esq, and others,
Committee IF New England .Socieiy-
GENTLEMKN: I received, with sincere
pleasure. your invitation to be present
at the New England Society, on the
22d instant. and to respond to tho
sentiment, 'rrhe State of South Caro-
lima" 1 have waited, during the in
terval since your invitation was re-
ceived, in the hope that my public
duties might allow me to be present
with you, but / now see clearly that I
must forego that pleasure. in order to
be at my post OF duty here. To parti-
cipate in honors paid to the memory
OF the pilgrims of New England, in
the chief city of South Carolina, would
be an event so peculiar and significant
in my personal experience as to render
the occasion in the highest dcgroe me.
morable. There is SO much in the
character Of the pilgrims of New Eng.
gland that challenges admiration, NO
many beneficent results have flowed
from their actions and example, SO
much of the best progress of mankind
dates from their landing. December
~. 1920. that all just men to-day.
however widely sundered from them
in Lineage and locality, ought to be
ready to join in sincere tribute to
their moral heroism aud practical So
gaoity.
l rejoica to know that Oh the occu.
| sion OF Your anniversary. the praises
of the Pilgrims 81 New England will
be spoken, and their memory honorel
by the descendants Of those other pill
grims and wanderers for Coincidence
sake who laid the early foundations Of
this State. Such harmony Of feeling
not only honors the past. but it lights
up the future OF our country. It sends
forth an influence which will tiually
bind all our people md all onr States
together by bonds moro enduring than
phyeical nature or human wisdom have
contrivea-the hond. OF Il conn mon and
universal reverence for true nobility ot
purpose and life.
Ii had been permitted to respond
for the State of South Carolina at your
festival, [ should have said that [, q
son of the Pilgrims OF New England,
and loyal in every fibre OF my being to
their memory, could look with pride,
hardly less than if native born, upon
the high qualities which have marked
the people of this State in all the vary
ing fortunes through which they have
passed; their easly self.deninl, their
revolutionary patriotism, their brilliant
record in the subsequent national
councils, their devoted valor in the
more recent struggles Of arms, and
their unwavering fortitude amidst the
trials of misfortune and defeat.
should have said that from such ele-
ments Of character, fixed and inspired
by such history, South Carolina, lay
ing aside whatever was antagonistc to
true progress in her former local ins,i
tutions, and resting now on the broad
foundation of perfect civil equality,
will in the near future re-assert her su.
premacy in our great sistcrhood nf
States.
know the sons Of the pilgrims OF
Now England who are with us will not
dishonor their sires by weak sue.
cumbing before present discou rags
ments. Faith in the invincibility of q
good cause was the secret OF our
iathers' SUCCESS. In that sign we may
again conquer. In the restoration OF
good government to this State, let us
resolve to bear an honorable part,
thereby proving our true descent from
those who, 900 years ago, gave to The
world one of her most conspicuous ex.
amples OF the spirit and method by
which Christian commemorative NAV
be built mp and perpetuated. With
sentiments Of highest regard. remain
gentlemen, yonr obedient servant,