Orangeburg news and times. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1875-1877, 1876-05-13

| iH!S lhStruincnt.ln the hands OF man,
how impoicnt lie would be in the
distinguishing Of great fires. Like
the wild man o. the woods, he would
be compelled to surrender to fire, and
be lis slave and servant. a steam
engine Of one hundred horse power
has the strength OF eight hundred and
eighty men. This is the result Of in
dustry. Industry is health and
strength and wealth 1t secures cleva-
ton in character and in condition.
Iou have, them. i'll obtaining your
fire engine, obtained Il monument of
mans wisdom and industry. Use it
aS such. Let it not he mere matter
Of ornament or pride, but al instru-
mcnt in your hands for usefulness.
Now | have said all that may be
regarded rs the theoretical part Of
my subject. will now ask yourat-
tcntinn for II short time to some prac-
teal views Oh the subject. AS body
Of men organized us fire company,
and chartered for the purposes for
| which charters were instituted, you
aavc 4 duty to perform, first to your
selves and next tosocicty, aud also
h;t; society a duty to perform to you.
Your first duty is to remember that Il
little more than ten years ago this
| privilege Of engaging i'll the freedom
of action which liberty secures to MI
men was denied you and me and our
race i'll tliis country. Fifteen years
ago it was not possible to conceive Of
colorcd men even banding thcmsclvc.
together, us free and independent
citizens, for the purpose of enjoying
the privilege Of co operating with
their fellow cilizons i'll any other
duties Of life save those OF servant.
Our walk i'll life was darkened at
every corner, and heavy barriers were
crcc.cd IN our path to obstruct and
impede our progress. Mutual protcc
ton was no partin the economy of
the government under which we lived,
| 20 lar as we were concerned.
The arts OF industry were denied
us; the doors Of exercise for the same
were fast closed against us. Man,
standing up i'll the godlike attitude
Of man, lifting his forehead to the
stars; to whom power and dominion
have been given; who has been crown
| cd natures kng-man with destiny
set before him vast rs. eternity aud
large as iniinity, was made chattcl
ny his fellow mans agency, and re-
duccd to condition Of servitutle
whicl, deprived him OF such freedom
Of action rs you enjoy to-day.
Then it greatly becomes your duty
in catering upon this undertaking rs
= fire engine company to perform your
duty as men. Promptness, order.
good cahduct, action, industry and
brothcrly feeling must mark your
every step. It is too much our Gus
tom 10 begin with great enthusiasm.
and end with great lethargy, as if We
had not Il new history to compile, with
ourselves as the actors, destiny to
meet, with ourselves ms the factors.
Remember we are the creatures of
observation, and the observers are
not tho most charitable towards us.
In the att cndancc Of meetings YOU
should he as frequent ms possible. All
difficulties arise from misunderstood.
lngs. In your meetings good order
must be written OH the memory Of all
members. Obedience to your superi-
or officers you must observe. Order
is heavens 5 first law. Good conduct
should always guide us, whether in
doors or ont ofdoors. Action! Ac-
ton Action !! must be the watch
word. Garry this motto before you
III all your pursuits. BE industrious;
that s,cxcrcisc your will, your skill,
and your strength i'll reaching tho
goal Of success. We are but infants
yet i'll this work; nay more, we are but
suborcinatcs looking to others for
help. But God first helps those who
help themselves, and che who would
be free must strike the blow himself"
1t is then evident that the work re-
naming is inyour own hands. And
take his opportunity. MS an officer
Of the independent Citizens Fire
Engine Company, to return thanks to
II large number otour white fellow
citizens who have so nobly and gener.
ously extended to lis the hand Of as-
sislancc. And | am glad to tell the
world that in this instance, ms in
many others perhaps Of which | know
nothing, our white fellow citizens, ir.
respective OF political creed or station
III life, with nothing before them but
the common interest in the welfare of
this community, have put their halds
i'll their pockets and cnnblcd ns to
have our engine here to. day, circum.
stance i'll which we feel pride and q