The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-02-20
THURSDAY NIGHT
Sercnade to Judge Thomson.

The delight of the people Of Abhcvillc
at the election of Judge Thomson was ex-
pressed Tonight in Il scrcnadc. The Alb
bcvillc Silver Cornet Band kindly and
heartily joined with our townsfolk in
the desire to do honor to the man whom
.Abbevilc delights to honor. At tuck OF
drum the band assembled and went with
Il large cOncoursc of citizens to judy
Thomson's residence. The roads were
muddy and the night was cold, but none
were thereby deferred from attending
the screnadc. Indeed wo noticed i'll tho
crowd number of those who had been
induced to put their names to the peti.
ton for Cookies reelection. Standing in
the grove in front of the house, will
~torchlights flaming, the Band disc0ursed
music which brought to tho recollection
of many present the stirring times and
exciting meetings Of the &c campaign.
Judge Thomson was loudly called for,
and he presently appeared, when three
lusty cheers were given in honor Of the
new Judge. Coming to the front of thu
piazza, he said:
JUDGE TIIOMSON'S SPEECH.
My fricnds:-Unlcss you were in my
position Tonight, you cannot understand
the emotions that till me ut this mo.
mrnt. l am sensible of the kindness
which this expression of your friend
ship conveys to me. For forty years
for Il much longer time than most OF YOU
here present can rcllcmber,-I have prac'
tiScd rs II lawyer ut the .tbbcvillc Bar,
And during that long period | have beer
encouraged by your Kindness and sup
port, for which ! feel deep and lasting
gratitude. Your representatives in pow
or have seen lit To promote me to Il posi-
ton which is the summit of II lawyers
ambition. While | go now to fulfill tll(
duties of that honorable Office, l leave
.\bbcvillc with Il heart full Of gratitude
to her people. During my prolonged
residence among you, we have stood
shoulder to shoulder in trying times
You elected me to represent you in every
drliI,crltivc assembly, two terms except
cd, from lS4G to 1865. ] was Il member o.
both Conventions. Although the Ollie,
of Judge is not directly CONNECTED
with politics, still l clnnot refrain
from expressing my opinions on the
probable result of the campaign
Just initiated. South Carolina WAS til,
last State to he Disseminated. She WA.
the last State to be freed from oppression
and tyranny that for so long FRUSTRATED
and laid waste all the States Of the South
History repeats itself; and | AN SURE tina
the experience of South Carolina will br
similar to that OF her sister States. Tha
experience has been that wherever Il pco
pic who have been ground to the dust have
set themselves free from their opprcs>ori
those OpprcssorS never again got control
This has been the case with .hrkdnSas ant
the other Southern States, and it will bt
the case with South Carolina. | tel
YOU, my friends, il the ISSUE is made il
the coming campaign, you may count OF
achieving in this County and in this STATE
Il complete and glorious victory. Gap
plauSe.)
After the applause subsidized, judy,
Thomson again spoke with great feeling
of the ties that bound him to .Abbevillt
and her people. lie concluded US fol
l0ws:-I leave my new home ut 0nce tC
enter upon my new sphere. Tomorrow
morning ! shall depart from ADbcvilln t
/ begin the work of the office to which
! have been elected. | leave this town no
without regret, and take this opportunity
Of assuring you that You have my warmcS
wishes for your prosperity in every sense
Of the word, Individually and its Il ON
munity. Wircat c~llccring.)
After the band had played some airs
among which, in compliment to tho IN
l. 4 - 49, Ilzn $50.