The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-12-24
Serenade to Judge MCGOWAN.

Judge MCGOWAN came home on Saturday
night for the Christmas recess. AS this was
his first appearance In Abbcville since his
election to the Supreme Bench, his fellow!
t%ownsmen, unfailing in The desire TO do him
honor and proud of The distinction conferred
on him, sercnaded him on Monday night.
They went In n body to his house taking with
them the AbbcvilIc Band Although the
night was showery and unpromistng. a large
crowd waited OH the Judge. After some de-
llghtful music by the band, Judge MCGOWAN
was loudly called for. On appearing In the
piazza, he was greeted with cheers. He spoke
as follows.
Mn Fricnds:-I thank you for this courtesyon
this dripping night I feel hat it Is %sincelei nd
cordial. but | cannot make q speech. My ieel-
ings would not allow me to do SO If 1t were prop
er; but. perhaps, 1t would not be proper. lhnre
bren elected a Judge and with his gown n Judge
should put on gravity and judicial department.
Lord Bacon somewhere. says that IAN over
speaking judge is no weii-tuned cym1al.' the
lie In the dust and heat of the chariot course of
life. He should not mingle In partisan politics
he should know no man, race, color or condl.
ton. but hold the scales with an even hand md
administer exact and equal Justice though the
heavens fail. Still / shall never cease TO SYM
pathize with the political struggle OF my fellow
c,IlZens. My heart shall always beatfD unison
with theirs, but unless something eXtraordina-
nv should happen | have made my lust speech
ut the bar, preaching redemption to thecaptiVe,
or on the musings. seeking TO save or reform
the State. In that regard Othello's occupation
is gone.
But | can still say a word to you as my neigh
bors. II Is with the deepest feeling that sever
the old lies which for more than q quarter OF a
century have bound me TO these good people.
Born In Lnurens. just across the Saluda, as
soon aS | left college In 1871, / came to Abbeville
an obscure, penniless boy-a stranger In a
strange land. 1 remember we'll that on the
evening of the last Cay Of 1871, l took thu hack
senger, 1t was a lorg, cold. drcary ride, but
there was still life in me when l landed ut
Posey's Hotel lust as the clock struck twelve
ringing out the old year and ringing In the
new
"a new foot was ON the floor, my friends, a
new face ut the door,"
From that day 10 1his-thirty.seven eventful
years, covering periods prosperity and adver-
Sity, peace and war, this has been my nome.
Here found and here lost many dear friends.
together and reJolced together; and
during the whole of that checkered period l
have never asked anything OF this people
which they did not grant. knowing oil. my
under ali circumstances sustained Inc with a
generous confidence and an unfaltering sup.
port. Many of these old ties now cease-nota all
them l am glad to say, but 1 will still cherish
and friends: l would rather have
in the State. In this heart OF hearts, until 1t
grows cold, they shall be remembered.
The bridegroom may forget the bride
Was made his welded wife yestreen:
The monarch may forget the crown
That on his head All hour has been;
The mother may forget the child
That smiles sac sweetly on her knee,
But I'll remember thee, Glencairn,
And n that thou hast done for mer'