The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-01-07
ar,n1rn 70 ~ NM. JUDGE wrrsos

REpLrED TO Ely mr.. HUGH WILSON.
Mr.. Prchdent, Ladies md Gentlemen =
thank my friend for the handsome compli.
ment which he has paid the paper I in part
represent. But I follow at 30 great q distance
in the footsteps Of the able and distinguished
men who have honored the press by their SER
ter TO the nation by their influence, that r
feel o deiicacy in responding TO thettoast Of
my friend, which has been so beautifully and
pleasantly said. He eulogizes the power Of
most superhuman. Iagree with him that an
honest press, ,undera vigorous management,
our political interests With fidelity. itSields
v~irtuous thought. It lisa wonderful agent in
correcting evil. But, MIR. President, there Ia
q much greater power, held In modest re-
serve, which has a million times more inlu-
ence, upon me at least, than oil the types and
presses In America-I refer to the fiuttcr Of
I would cali from the floor my tai
ented and accomplished young friend Mr..
Lewis w. Simpkins, OF the Nepbcr7y Neus
The President said-"We shall be glad to
hear from Mr.. Simkins."
LEWIS W. s1MKINs, ESQ.,, SAID:
Mr.. President, Mr.. Wilson, Ladies and Gen.
Nenien Il have no set phrases or figures Of
shall do myself the higher honor OF talking
To you in the spontaneous language OF the
heart which is, you know, always simple. l
am truly glad TO be once again upon the soil
and sorrovs OF my b~oyhood's days were ex.
perienced-amid you, my friends. And It
gives me special qualification to meet n
talk to so many Of you, tonight.
has been gracefully responded TO by Mr..
Wilson, and I have nothing 10 add In this
connection except TO endorse what he has
said, and to pay q deserved compliment 70
a tss p' Hr. rf Bsnss, WSie ~ I h' has seq io sns e n1ssl:
tanned In my heart. For enlightened. critl-
cism, and outspoken Views, and, In short, ad-
ysneed ~jonrnalism. the Ab6euiue, Prea and
Banner stands In the foremost rank amongst
the weeklies Of the state.
Abbeville Is Q grand old county, my friends!
I can better speak OF her now than one OF
you, since my lot Is cast elsewhere, and
partial and less vain. True greatness is un.
conscious Of itself, and / would not have my
words make you vain. I speak them rather
TO encourage and TO warn. The tendency Of
10 place too high a valuation on money, for
It's own sake-to use selfish means for selfish
ends, at the expense OF all the proprieties
and amenities OF life that assuageis sorrows
anu soften us aSperlLeS-anQ LOO Oiten ~ Lie
expense Of honor. itself. It is therefore a
cause Of congratulation to this people TO be
told that amid all the feverish anxiety Of the
country for money and things material. IA
natural consequence OF the Revolution.) they
ciples and customs which should never
change they are yet conspicuous in
fostering. the ,~civilties and humanities Of
life. Natural and necessary changes
have taken place In your society and IN.
situations since the war, but It IL we'll
that you have carried over in the transition
those graces and virtues that adorn all In.
situations and all societies. hope I am not
understood as derrecating a proper apprecia.
hard and we should value our earnings; but
God deliver US from that selfish boarding Of
money that refuses TO lend o helping hand In
elevating the human race toa high-toned and
illustrious President, Judge MCGOWAN, when
he says that societies such az this by. Guilt
waiting the hearts and minds OF a people Gle
vate them from the baseness and s%ordidness
is the Rrandest thing on earth.
You, young gentlemen OF my WI age
should appreciate the dignity n homo tina,
are yours in being citizens OF old Abbeville
Sons Of q noble heritage, take care how you
use 1t. Sons OF a noble family cannot truly
appreciate the dignity and benefits they en-
10y, until they have been denied those privl
leges by Fate and cast out into the battle o
| lllG-LUey LQ6A IcutILc Vic LIuo NoILu VI GuCIi
Mother family. SO with me tonight. Since
I left you In 1873, to use q common phrase, ]
shave knocked about considerably" have
been thrown With many people, (amona
them some enemies and many ftiendsHir
short, I have taken part III the battle
Of life, and tonight I am in the bosom of my
old Mother NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. bear ties
timony TO her worth n excellence. It give,
me pleasure to add that wherever l have me-
her sons abroad. they have shown themselves
worthy OF her. I come again to this Atticf
OF the State to take fresh inspiration from
her Pierian Spring. There is such a fresh
ness and an air OF freedom in your broat
streets, beautiful gardens and pure water
that here ones youth Is renewed X thu
eagles, and he goes forth into the world fol
fresh %conquests.
And now, Mr.. President, a word to thu
ladies (God bless them y and I am done.
know that lam now on O subject with mos
admirable taste set apart for the graceful clio
quence of my young friend, Mr.. Wardlaw
and I will not tarry long. Twill only congrat
ulate them that the little girls in sundown
and barefoot with whom we boys used " gath
or chinquapins and wade In the branch, ar
before me bursting into such beautiful wo
manhood. And I must fnrthcr congratulate
them on such lovely acquisitions to thci
stock from the shores OF my Maryland"
And now ladies' and gentlemen, good night
With this parting injunction "Let brotherl!
love continue"