Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1875-09-30
South CAR0LINA's CENTENNIAL.
ADDRESS OF THE PALMETTO
GUARD,
INVITING COOPERATION IN THE Cen
FENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE
BATTLE OF Fort MoULTRIE,
JUNE %, 1776.

The coming anniversary of the 2Sth
June, l776, will complete century
since that day when, in the harbor
of Charleston, battle was fought
which the historian of the United
States has described as "the bright
morning star and harbinger of Ameri-
can independence" ''It was Gn his
language) an announcement 10 the
other colonies of the existence OF
South Carolina as a self-directlng re-
public-a message of brotherhood and
union
The Palmetto Guard, maintaining
the principles bequeathed to them by
the fathers of the Revolution of l716,
reverting with honest pride to the
history of their corps, and cherishing
with fond recollection the memory Of
their comrades who, in obedience to
1.-THE call of their State, laid down their
sSssGSssiGGGs is ths cause
q that they can unite, with all true
hearted Americans, in commemorate
ling the first victory gained in the
struggle for Independence. They,
therefore, propose, on the 2Sth June,
1876, to celebrate the one-hundredth
anniversary of that battle, so memo
rable in the annals of the State of
South Carolina, so potent in the in
fuerce it had upon the thirteen colo
MES then preparing for the struggle
destined to take from Great Britain
control of them and their fortunes,
and to create government, resting
upon the consent of the governed, of
free, sovereign, and dindependentStates
Worthy of remembrance by the
people of this State as is that battle,
and urgently appealing as do the
members of the Palmetto Guard to
the people of this State to unite with
them in the celebration of the return
of the day on which it was fought,
they do not intend to conine that
celebration to the people of this State
only.
10 regard it only as an incident of
State history, is to take away its large
proportions as an event of national
Importance, and to do injustice to the
gallant men who, on that day, made
themselves worthy Of a place in the
history of the whole country, of which
|our State is part.
It is, therefore, proposed that the |
celebration on the 2Sth June, 1876,
'of the battle of Fort Moultrie, on the
5Sth June, l776, shall be, as was the
battle itself, "a message of brother
hood and union" TO all, whether
OF the North or South, the East or
West, who cherish with feelings of
pride and satisfaction the recollection
Of that and of every contest which
marked the progress Of the thirteen
colonies to their political independ-
ence, and the guaranty given in their
final success, for +" life, liberty, and
The pursuit of happiness, there shall
be in this forthcoming celebration
hearty and generous welcome. And
f, as is wished for, there shall be, af-
,er the lapse Of a century (whatever
If differences have existed during
hat time), renewal of the spirit
which animated those who accom-
,lished for Us the great results of the
American Revolution-and that re-
,ewal be exhibited on the spot where
he men of our State offered them
elves sacrifices for the principles they
sserted--if all who now enjoy the
;iessings secured by the men of that
seyolution shall transmit them to ,
hose who shall survive and succeed
kela;sther will Time have added in r
rease of fame and honer-to-thess :,
Those constancy and courage checked {
n invasion supposed to be irresistible. t
To recall the battle of Fort Moul- Y
rie is to recall the memories of the G
len whose names will live in all time e
4 honorable connection with it. Like d
he battle which they fought, they L
e!ong to history. They were Of this b
tate, but in fighting for their State 81
ney fought also for principle, which v
1sy claimed not fer themselves and n
lsir State only. bnt for all who with c
,em were willing to defend and do Il
attle for life, liberty, and honor. o
Our layr and religion (said John .
and the liberties of Amerii- $,
i shall be maintained and defended N
} tbe utmost OF nay power. .. sAon, F
y part (he ssid) a most solemn oath e.
as been taken for the faithful dis a
large Of my duty" -
II IL