The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-11-02
The Centennial Letter.
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, J
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
Cor1r.rprA Mav1 1919

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
COLUMBIA, May1, 1876.
A.. Aielclsers, Esq, President German Fa-
siHers, Charleston, S. c.. }dslasst-
My DEAR SIR have received with
peculiar pleasure your invitation in be-
half of the German Fusiliers of Charles.
ton to attend their Centennial anniversa-
nv celebration on the Sd instant, and to
respond to the sentiment, ;''The State Of
South Carolina" is
appreciate this honor very highly,
and I specially regret to find it impossi-
BILE for me to accept your invitation. Il
have feared that it might be a little in
explicable that / should be able to go to
Lexington but not to Charleston to at
tend Centennial celebration but I
know I ought not to doubt that you Will
accept my; present assurance that public
duties and labors which, have accumula-
ted during my recent absence are Of such
nature as to make it unreasonable for
me to leave Columbia at this time! j
thrust too that you will to no extent
attribute my absence from your celebra-
ton to want of interest or sympathy IN
any celebration which speedily concerns
Charleston or South Carolina. 1t was s
great privilege for me on a recent occa-
sion to speak of our State in the presence
Of many thousands of our Northern
brethren, and in some sense in the pres
ence of the whole country. No native Of
South Carolina, however devotedsto the
traditions and fame of his State, could
have failed to be deeply moved by the
cordial mapi fsstations seen on that occa-
sion of ..ue spirit of fraternal kindness
on the part Of all who joined in those
patriotic services towards South Carolina.
It would afford me the utmost pleasure
to be able To testify in person to this great
and increasing feeling of fraternity be-
tween the North and the South on the
occasion of your celebration. .,,;,aa o.
Ishould rejoice also to, do whatever,
/ might by my presence or'words to omake
suitable expression of the feelings with
which l know South Carolina responds
to all sentiments and acts which tend to
irrational harmony and repose. Others
who are better able than I to perform
such service will be present with you,
andiwill give voice to- all the. precious
memories and hopes which your celebra-
ticn will call up. | cannot regret my
absence on your account, but only. on my
own, for I coyet the honor Of helping to
open the series of Centennial celebrations
which South Carolina will institute in
memory of her Revolutionary heroes and
history. Is
i Above all things, my dear SIR Iftrust
tyour. celebration will speak and enforce
the great present lesson~and duty of po.
litical aud social harmony between all
the sections of our country and the basis
Eof the settlements which are now em-
bodied in the constitution Of the nation.
Upon that basis let new prosperity
grow up, which shall cheer and bless all
Traces and conditions of men who dwell
bin. South Carolina. Political differences
ought to be. significant, and valued,
only as they mark the greater or less
fidelity of our parties to the common pur-
pose of making our government andpub-
lie service honest, patriotic, pure,eand
leleyating. :...., ~ gsa "a i.J.i.5 y,
Every man is my political friend whose
honest duty is to give peace and prosperi-
ty to South Carolina. Every man is my
political foe who would, for any cause,
stay or turn back the returning tide
which is bearing these blessings to our
people. >.xe.,s
May your celebration give strength to
our national feelings, to our honorable
State pride, to our, firm; resolution to
make South Carolina worthy to-day Of
the men who hundred years ago, with
faith and courage, preserved her freedom
and; honor, and who transmitted to l,s
blessings which are, still greater than
J those enjoyed by any other nation.
Again expressing my profound regret
at my necessary absence from your patri-
| otto celebration;nI give your this ;senti-
T ment:. "The German Fusiliers of Charles
/ ton-May their constant and highest aim
! be to lpieerpetuate the spirit which made
| South Carolina in 1775 the heroic and
uncomfortable defender of American
freedom and nationality" In m
Respectfully and gratefully, NO ...5,,. !;
- Your fellow-citizen and servant, 49,
D. 81. CHAMBERLAIN y
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