Orangeburg news and times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1875-1877, 1876-05-13
BY o. a. srRAKER, ESQ.

Il
Mr.. President and Members Of the
independent Citizens and Comet Star
Fire Engine Companies: In obedience
to yeur request in letter Of the 29th
instant, honoring me with an invita-
ton to address you on this occasion,
nm present with you, cnd will en-
dcavor to briefly suggest to you few
hints in relation to your celebration,
the nature and character of your
institution and the relation you bear
to society rs such. l meet you, rs
understand, body Of free citizens of
the county Of Orangeburg, in the
State of South Carolina, in corpor-
capacity and under the name ofthc
Independent Citizens Fire Engine
Company, having as your compeers
another body Of free citizens organi-
zcd and under the name Of the Com IT
star Fire Engine Company-afler
but a few months existence rs an
organization, you the members of the
independent Citizens Fire Engine
Company, have by your energy and
pmlseworthy perseverance, through
M indomitnble spirit to succeed, so
far succeeded, us to be able to exhibit
to your tcllow-townsmen, who have so
literally extended to you the hand of
assistance, Fire Engine, which is
the consurnmation of your great labor
III behalf Of usefulness and brother
| hood.
| Mr.. President, other officers aud
members of the Independent Fire
Engine Company, nlso our worthy
associate, the President and members
OF the Comct-Star Fire Engine Comp
any, in the name Of the good citizens
of Orangeburg, you nrc welcomed to
the arena of the Fire Department Of
this town, and every pulsation the
heart of every one present heats III
unison with my own in wishing you
continued success. Nothing is more
satisfactory, nothing more cncourag
ing than the hearty cooperation YOU
have met with from citizens of the
white race i'll your midst. Casting off
the chains Of party prejudice, and
unshakling the tctters OF caste dcs-
tincton, they have aided you with n
libcralily which marks the noble
heart of true patriots. But have YOU
done nothing ? Not go. Never be
fore have | seen men of poor estate
not afiluent in circumstances; but full
Of the deepest interests i'll the welfare
of their fellow-citizens, contribute
their earnings SO gladly, and bcstow
the utmost attention to an organiza
iion fraught with the deepest interests
common to all the ini,a bitunts Of this
| town.
In looking Mt the great benefit
which a body Of men organized for
the purpose of putting out fires oc-
curing in the midst Of their fellow
townsn.en's property, and this with
out compensation, or any other hope
Of reward, other than the good they
can do, we are naturally led to ask
the question, wha. motive prompted IL
spirit to do such good | answer:
man is by nature born for association
to the end Of selfprotcction. Says
the great law commentator, Sir Will
liam Blackstone; "Man was formed
for society and is not ca
pabIc of living alone" Mutual pro.
lection is the grand Fundamental
principle Of all civilized
governments, and this principle
ramifies all organizations Of
similar character. 1t is Then the
spirit of mutual protection which
actuates men i'll banding themselves
together as a fire company. Never
mind how diversified our wealth in
hous cs or other articles of combusln-
bic property, we depend upon our
ncighbor for protection in preserving
it. What avails it that the wealthy
man owns. or lives in his splendid
mansion Of four stories high, and The
poor man his humble cot, if cilhor
should stand aside indilfcrcntly ana
see the others property destroyed by
the destructive clement Of fire +? Whit
avails it that city is rendered
beautiful by magnificent houses or
edifices elegant with elaborate and
gorgeous furniture if when the fierce
and dertructivc fire occurs men were
so selfish. rs 80 stand around their
own homes saying. ''savc thysel.
is the order the day?" 1t is there
that the patriots heart beats in com
mon cause, and
| "WI,o sees him ACT but cnvics every deed
Who hears him groan and docs not wish to
bleed.'
A Fire Engine company is great