The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-02-27
" the cheyalier Stephen D. Lee

by the chevalier Stephen D. Lee
who rose to the rank of Lieut.. Gener-
al - and afterwards was known
throughout the Army Of Northern
Virginia as Harris Battery. That
battery of horse-artillery was connect
ed with the cavalry, and on the TANKS
and in exposed positions rendered dis.
tinguished service. In reviewing
the romantic incidents in the history
of that comparatively small command
its adventurous expeditions, its hair
breadth Escapes by flood and field, it's
dashing, dragoon gallantry, the mind
inYOluntarily recalls the pencil note
which Napoleon scratched on the POM
mel of his saddle while his cuirassiers
in full view were sweeping as with. q
tempest the stricken field Of Eylau-
The horse guards have covered them
selves with glory"
When the bugles sang truce and the
war was ended, you returned to the
pursuits of peace. Leaving your
fallen comrades OH the battlefield, you
reached your desolate homes penniless
and friendless. Your property de-
stroyed, yourselves under the ban of
treason, and excluded Ivy aliens and
strangers from ali places of honor or
profit, you had to battle for subsistence,
but you kept your faith, and, in conf
mon with your countrymen, discharg-
ed as best you could all the duties of
good citizens. After period, not long
indeed but which to us seemed an age,
by one herculean effort of people
defiverance came; and when the ex-
pressed will of the people which pro-
claimed that deliverance was about to
be set aside, you were the first COM
pany in the State to tender your
services to defend the right and main.
tain the triumph Of good government
that had been achieved by unparal.
lelled e%Xertions, self control, and
passive heroism.
Happily the title of our government
is not disputed now. We breathe
more freely. Troops no longer occupy
the Capitol. The day is breaking,
Good omens are around us and it II
ours to act with that moderation, JUS
tice, and wisdom, which will prove We
deserved our tardy good fortune, and
contribute to make it perpetual
Peace hath her victories not less re
nowned than war. Let US on this
great holiday recur to former times
and first principles. There was moth
ing about Washington more decidedly
marked than his lifelong opposition
to sectional bitterness and party strife
He was broad in his views and catho
lie in all his sentiments. Imbibe hi!
spirit, emulate his virtues, and W,
shall yet have o peaceful and prosper
Gus country. His great example j!
more useful to US now than ever be
fore. Keep faith with scrupulou'
fidelity. Make no false or unmanl.
recantations, but speak the trutl
with tirmness, and modesty. Har
Dor no feelings of revenge, bu
cultivate kindly sentiments. Respec
! the honest convictions Of others. ant
demand the same for your own, with
out self-reproach or shame or sense o
inferiority to living.man.
In our condition of restored liberty
booking back upon the Stygian poo
from which we have just escaped
horresco rcferens-and having faith II
the resistless power of truth. justice
endurance, and virtue, we MAY wei
+ ! adopt the godlike invocation Of thu
spirit Demogorgon to Prometheus I'm
bound ..l.
G%ontlencss. virtue, wisdom and endurance,
These are thcseals Of that most firm assnrarc
Which bar the pit over destructlon' strength
These are the spells by which to re-assume
An empire DOR the,disentangled DOOM. q.
To suffer woes which hope thinks %iniintte;
; To forgive wrongsdarkerthan death ornight;
To defy power which seems omnipoinit:
To love and bear; to hope. till hope creates
Fromits 0wn wreck the thing q 1t contemplntes
Neither to change. nor faltcr. nor repent;
: This. like thy glory, Titan. IL to'be
[ Good. great and joyous. beautiful and free;
:, Thi. is alone life, Joy, empire and victory.