The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-05-06

who defend its honor and represent its
power, and the social relations which
mark it's culture and illustrate it's graces.
To you, DR.. Lyles, though your head
is covered with that crown of honor,
which is ordinarily the excu0 from SER
vices or pleasures like these, has fallen
the honor to win this first prize for skill
in rifle practice. In the name of my
Club, now place it in your hands. In
itself beautiful, its chief beauty will be
in its association with the pleasures OF
to-day. In itself valuable, its chief
value will be rs proof of the unde-
cnying spirit which still makes up the
personal and social worth of our people.
Youth contended for it--age has won it.
Let us accept it rs an indication that we,
younger men, must still fix our eyes on
the character and achievements of those
who go before us i'll age. You, sir, have
taught us good lesson. We thank you,
and we beg you to let this testimonial be
an expression both of our admiration for
your skill as we'll as bright memento of
most delightful OCCASION.
Fellow-citizens, this occasion should
be rich in worthy results and Influences
May it add speed to the coming of the
| RIGA, no matter Oh what fields they have
| stood, or what cause they have served,
! shall once more be bound together by
thnt spirit which alone can make us one
people indeed-the spirit OF patriotism,
of devotion to good government, of a
| firm resolution by our acts and lives to
| make nll American hearts beat in unison
like the great heart of one mighty man.
You, DIR. Lyles, have shown that you do
| not belong to that class which a witty
friend just behind me has said, ..nre first
in peace and last in war" May the spirit
which you have shown inspire us all.
DR.. Lyles, in reply, frankly admitted
| that it was chance shot, and kindly
thanked the Governor for his pleasing
| remarks.
Col. f. ". McNtaster then performed
the very pleasing duty of rendering to
Capt Thompson, in trust. the medal of
the OLD Governors Guards, with tho fol-
lowing rcmarks. which were loudly al,-
plaudcl:
MIR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMAN OF THE
| RIcHIAND RIFLE CLUB: Thirty two years
ago, five.of our citizens, NJ. Il. Clark, A.
Palmer, Elins Pollock, w. w. Eaton and
Joseph Cooper, organized the Governors
| Guards. jus. d. Tradcwcll was elected
its Captain; W. w. Eaton, who now oc-
cupies tho proud position of United
States Senator from tho noble State of
Connecticut, was elected First Lieuten-
| ant; M. Il. Clark, Second Lieutenant,
and Joseph Cooper, Third. A number
OF them did their country service in
SleXico, i'll the Palmetto Regiment-oi
| fho Df Ios1
GLADDEN., Adjutant Clarke and Captain
Stanley. Fifteen years ago, that com
pany was rs full of life, hope and mar.
tial pride rs the one you now have the
honor to command, Under Capt. Casson,
it entered Confederate service az Com
pany A, in kershaw's regiment, with 127
| members; of that number thirty-one
offered their lives during the war on the
altar of their country; fifteen were per
manently disabled; thirty-two broken
down in service were discharged; seven
teen were transferred, and twenty-nine
honorably surrendered with old Joe
Johnston's army. a number since have
died. That company was engaged in
thirty three battles, beginning with
Sumter and ending with Bentonville.
Its record is part of the history Of our
country, sud but glorious. But of this il
is not my province to speak.
My task is more agreeable, more in &C
cordance with the festive scenes and
cheerful surroundings about US, We
have had enough of the notes of sorrow,
and now We would sing the songs of
JOY. AS the representation of that CON-
paRy which 1 had the honor once to
command, and in which, as private,
had the greater honor of doing my duty
Mt Sumter and first Manassas. and ut the
request of my surviving comrades, it is
my pleasing duty to present to you this
beautiful medal, which was highly priced
in the days. of the prosperity of the Go
vernor's Guards. This medal was given
To the company in 1916 by its Captain as
an annual prize for the best single shot.
1t was preserved during the sack of CO.
lumbia by Il daughter oil ono of its more
recent commanders, who this day has
lonorcd us with his presence.
In behalf of the survivors of the Co
vernor's Guards, permit me to offer it to
your company, in trnst rs an annual
prize, to be worn by the successful COM
petitor, until, pcrchancc, some of the
survivors of the Governors Guards
shall organize another company, bearing
the same maine, when we desire it to be
given to the new company as IN heirloom.
| We know, Mr.. President, in the hands
of your company it's keeping will be
safe md unsullied. Your company now
is the pride Of the city, as it's volunteer
companies were in times past. AS the
turbulence of passion is subsiding and