The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1877-11-20
SPEECH

DELIVERED AT PROVIDENCE, SUMTER
COUNTY, S. c., BEFORE THE CLARE.
MONT MOUNTED RIFLLMEN-P. z.
GAILLERD, CAPTAIN AND THE
MAGNOLIA GUARDs--C. s. BRITToN,
CApTAIN-OoToBER 6. 1877, ON THE
DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE
CITIZEN, BY
DR.. j.. j. REMBERT.
Nv EeNop Citizens: We have rca-
sons to-day to lift our voices, in pro-
found gratitude and praise TO that Be-
ing who directs and overlooks the des'
tiuies of nations, as well as Of iudiviI-
uals. When l look around me upon
this assemblage of my fellow citizens, |
can but recall to mind the fact that
but short period ago when our calls
were made for our citizens to assemble,
in order to take counsel upon public
affairs, it was with slow and solemn
tread that We wound our way to our
places of resort: sadness aud gloom
hung like funeral pail over our heads.
while with bated breath We couuseled
together. The very winds that blew
around US cban,ed mournful dirge,
and our noble pines. that waved in
grace and dignity above US, in their
sighs, sung out requiem and sym.
pathy for a proud aud gallant people
who lay powerless and PROSTATE under
the heel Of oppression and wrong. The
Goddess of Liberty, at whose altars our
sires had worshirpod, sat in D'anacles
and chains, with eyes uPlifted in agony
AID in despair to heaven, aud the
proud eagle, our national bird, lay
wounded and pinioned at her feet. The
very stars Of heaven, that were won
der aud mystery 10 our revolutionary
ancestors, looked down upon US from
above. and "ia their bright leaves we
sometimes thought we could read c les
son Which held out hope for the fu-
ture. Through all these long and
dreary years of suffering we have shown
10 the world forbearance under trials,
and moral heroism Of character not
excelled in the palmiest Gays Of Greece
and Rome. 1t is to this fact that is
due this assemblage to-day, where we
can worship as our sircs have done Gun
der our own vine and fg tree, with
none to molest or make US afraid" The
chains arc struck from the limbs Of the
Goddess of Liberty and our eagle is on
his wings again.
These preparations that see around
me are embems Of peace--nOt Of war.
Through the manifestations Of the
highest qualities known TO the human
family We have boldly fought and
peacefully won a battle and victory,
more honorable than Austerlitz, more
illustrious than Trafalgar.
In order to secure in the future the
right use and exercise Of this victory, it
is necessary that we should be fully i'm
pressed with the duties and the obliga-
tions of the citizen. You will remcm-
Der that in the teachings Of history the
flush of victory often entails final defeat
by cngendering that listlessness and
luxurious repose which resulted in the
final ruin aud destruction of Hannibal
and his brave Car.haginians at Capua
which lost Athens her identity as a
State, and finally delivered Rome to the
power Of the Goth.
The citizen finds his country and his
home only in the midst Of Republican
institutions aud government founded
alone on the will OF the people, cx.
pressed and controlled by constitutional
checks aud limitations. No crowned
monarch in robes Of state and power
lords it over him. No orders of titled
nobility in proud con,umely above
and around him. No forms and ccre-
monies of an unapproachable priesthood
or hierarchy fixes aud settles his faith
and bis future. Hence he occupies to-
wards his government and his county
relationship Of great moral response
bility. Great in peace as well as IL
war. Manly courage, love Of country
and the practice Of patriotism have cvel
been with civilized nations cultivated
and esteemed as among the cardina
virtues. The hills of Athens have runs
with the burning eloquence Of Demos
themes, in his efforts to arouse TIT
Athenians to a sense Of their dange
and to inspire them with that mani,
courage which was necessary to ire
them from the CALLING yoke OF the Ma
cedonian conqueror. The forum o
Rome felt the fires of Cicero, who's
glowing patriotism, no doubt, he'pe'
to light up that inspiration in th
breast OF the great poet aud friend Q
Maccenas when lie penned the immor
tai lines, " "Dulcc ct decoium est rr
patlia mort -" 1t is sweet aud honor
abls to die for ones country N