The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1876-05-11
Columbia, April 81, 1875.

Of Lexington, Mass, (care Cant
Courtefay, Charleston. s. C)
Dear Madam have. to dav re.
ceived by express, the cane cut from
the old lilac tree, which still adorns
the Parsonage" at Lexington, where
Hancock and Adams took counsel to.
gether for their countrys freedom, be
meath it's roof one hundred years
ago.
1t is precious relic, a precious
token, a precious inspiration; relic Of
one of the most sacred spots in hu-
man history; token of kind remem-.
brance of my visit to Lexington, a
year ago, and of your too high esti-
mate of my words there spoken; in
splration to new and greater efforts
to take up and weave together, in
dissolubly, the parted cord which
once bound South Carolina and Mas
sachusetts, in. brave and victorious
companionship, in defense of Amcri-
can freedom.
HUMBLE as [ am, there are few
earthly honors 1 would value higher
than the honor that has already come
to me from you, dear madam and
ladies of Lexington-the testimony
you bear to the good influence of nv
words of peace and good will at Lex.
lngton one year ago.
You are now on similar errand
to Charleston. You have come a.
mong us to bring the returning olive
branch OF peace and good will. You
come to a people sadly bereaved
sorely disappointed, but still with
hearts that thrill to the touch of old
memories, hearts true to every call of
Truth and Honor and patriotic duty;
hearts yeagning, amidst their sorrows
for the coming back Of peace whic b
shall unite South Carolina and Mas
sachuselts by The same bonds which
united Adams and Gadsden, Hancock
and Rutlege-the bonds of mutua,
respect and plighted faith to great
and sacred cause.
TO speak one word, as you say 1
have-to do one act, as l know you
have-which shall hasten such re.
suit, is glory and consolation enough
In the name of an honorable and
high minded people, whom 1 officially
represent, speaking their profound
feelings, [ bid you welcome to South
Carolina on your pious and patriotic
mission. The blessings of the Old
Bay State waited you forth on your
errand; the blessings OF every heart
in the Old Palmetto State, greet your
safe coming. We are deeply touch.
ed by this evidence of personal and
individual interest in the occasion
which 80 peculiarly concerns our To-
cal history and pride. We regard it
and we shall cherish it as pure tri
butte to the underlying and inextin.,
guishable love Of country which can
survive the throes of civil war, and
on the warm ashes of recent conflicts
erect its shrine and plant it's ensign.
| express to you my profound re,
gret that | could not leave the Capi
tai to meet you, face to face, but |
know how we'll and worthily all such
duties will be discharged by the good
and gallant citizens OF our venerated
metropolis, and my absence will not
mar the charm of your visit.
beg you to accept my grateful
thanks for the personal and touching
compliment conveyed by your gift
and note, and, above all, to carry
back to Massachusetts and Lexington
this message: "One hundred years
ago South Carolina and Massachu-
setts were struggling together for
freedom and independence; to day
South Carolina is struggling alone for
good government. BY the memories
OF Lexington and Moultrie, we be-
seech Massachusetts to stand by MS
In this dire extremity, in the spirit