The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-06-05
Meeting Of the Abbeviile Clnb-.Nom.
nations.

the club as follows:
Gentlemen Of the club:
Redemption from misrule, deliverance
from oppression and spoliation, the es-
adjustment Of just and honest govern
ment:---these were the grand ends to-
wards the attainment Of which, all our
energies andlall our :exertions were di-
rected in the historic campaign OF 1876.
Every true son of the State, old and
young, rich and poor met upon one broad
common platform. All crowded togeth-
er shoulder to shoulder, actuated by the
noble resolve to do all and dare all in one
grand, united and desperate effort to
shake off the shackles of bondage, and
remain no longer the prey of Unsuitable
harpies and the slaves of INSCRIPTIONS
tyrants. The history Of this country
does not furnish a sublimer spectacle than
that presented by the good people OF
South Carolina two years ago, in their he
roic struggle against the forces Of igror-
ance, superstition, corruption and Vice.
Then, the heat and enthusiasm of youth
were checked, guided and controlled by
the cal1ner and more mature Judgment OF
age. Az 1t was then, 30 now 1t is emf
nently fitting we should take counsel OF
the old; that we should learn lessons OF
wisdom and discretion firm calm, sober,
thoughtful, mature men, 30 that In the
progress Of this campaign nothing may
be done which experience would not die.
tate; which good judgment would not
approve o n ,ur rrosorca to-n,ubt
one of whom we may we'll take counsel
who through q long life Of usefulness has
been identified with the highest and best
interests Of this community, as well as oil
the State. He has lived in our town hall
O century, and perhaps no one living is
more familiar with or prouder of its past
history. Besides he has filled with sig
nal ability many high positions Of honor
and trust in the county, in the State, and
in the nation.
So distinguished a parsonage, all Of us
are delighted to hear and I am sure you
will share the satisfaction I feel in max.
ing the announcement that the Hon. Armi'
stead Burt will now address us.
After the con clusion Of this address
Mr.. Burt, IN his usual happy manner,
addressed the members Of the Abbeville
Democratic Club on last Friday night
He spoke of the past glories of our com
monwealth, and of the illustrious dead
who had helped to build up our State and
made it one of the first in the union. Mr.
Burt said that all great countries must
have q history Of which they can boast
We have that history. We cherish will
fondness the memories of the past ano
recall them with pride. The great mis-.
sion of the Democratic party was to res.
tore our State to the prosperity she had
before the wal and do so in accordance
with the ancient standards. Our people
had shown their determination to resist
oppression and assume that supremacy
which was theirs by right That tbe
grand effort made In 1876 was that Of a
people in whose breasts the love Of liber-
ty is deeply fixed, and a people that nc
letters can bind. Mr.. Burt said that We
had our great men in the past and they
are not all dead. We looked back with
feelings Of pride to the days of our own,
Calhoun the great statesman, McDuf6e,
the greatest orator Of his age, and Of
our illustrious judges, born within the
good old county Of Abbeville, which he
loved so we'll.
The Legislature did much towards re-
form, but there is much yet to be done,
and our prosperity depends upon our
success this year In the election. We
must not fail in that. We must put back
our best men, and elect them. To prove
that he desired the good:of u country.
and the election Of the best men In the
country, he offered the following resolu.
ton =,
Resolved. That this Club nominate Hon
D. Wyatt Aiken for reelection TO Congress
and Gen. Samuel AcGowan for election u
lima.
The resolution was unanimously adopt
ed, with the greatest enthusiasm.
General MCGOWAN in response to Mr.
Burt,::said:
My Fellow Citizens, Neighbors and
Friends:
This spontaneous and unexpected OK
hibition Of confidence has touched my
heart and overwhelmed me. The appro
baton and confidence Of our fellows art
always gratifying. To generous nature
these are the highest rewards; but tn
appreciation of u neighbors, is still
more gratifying, it gives indeed hear
felt pleasure. Our neighbors know III
better than ~others-they know all oul
faults, and If we have any good qualities
they know them too. All my life from
this community. Here I have lived ant
toiled-rejoiced and sorrowed-in goot
report and in evil report-in sickness
and in health-in prosperity and in ad
versity-in piping times Of peace and ir
war. My whole manhood has beer
spent h%ere-right here, and I woult
rather have the approbative confidence
and love Of this people, than any office
no matter how high, which the people o
this continent have in their power II
give; and therefore I again thank yor
from the bottom of my heart.
My friends-I have no personal ambi'
toni am no aspirant for offce-am s
candidate for nothing. I am content II
earn my bread in the sweat of my brow
When / was a young man I had, what
suppose to be the ordinary ambition o
young men, and I must say that it wa
more than gratified by the kindness o
this people. In 1850 they elected me Z
the Legislature where I remained until
the wal came n Then in the discharge
of the highest duty I left the Legislature
and went into the war, and remained
there to do my duty until it's disastrous
close. I saw the first shell from FOR
johnson as it described its course IN TIT
air, and fell into Fort Sumter and hearo
the last shot and saw the huge eclipse a
Appomattox. Since the war In every
stage of our ruin and desolation, l nave
~endeavored most earnestly and faithfully
to do my duty in the great work OF bat
Ting with misfortune and in restoring
the State to her last but Just right OF sci
povernmant and IN all her priStine glory