The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-01-07
The M%erchants.
PROPOSED By DIR. II. d. WILSON.

PROPOSED BY DIR. II. D. wILsoN.
The bench and bar may truly be proud OF
this representation. South Carolina may un-
furl an unsullied banner over her statesmen
and warriors. Nay, our lovely village may
her beautiful women. And whHc,I with my
brethren feel a keen thrill OF gratitude, when
We contemplate SO valuable a heritage, let
us not forget the brotherhood or the mer.
chants. Let me say 70 them, through my
friend, Capt. White, may the rose of prosper,
ity never drop It's petals in decay around
their future efforts, but shed q hctllthtul fra-
GRANGE that will continue TO inspire that pc.
culiar zeul and enterprise that have ever char
acterized the merchants Of Abbeyille.
REPLIED TO By APT. J.. W. WHITE.
It gives me great pleasure to respond to the
toast last proposed. I rise not so much ~ AZ
sumo the championship OF the mercantile
represent. to acknowledge the courtesy so gen.
erously bestowed by our young friend who
has Just taken his seat. From q period al
most as fur back into the ages as we can go,
down to the present TIM we find men az mer.
chants playing their parts In the drama OF
this worlds history. In the time Of Abraham,
II Is recorded that the purchase money for the
field OF Machpelah was such as the merchants
would take. That grand old patriarch did
not propose to pay money that was under
par; he did NOT desire TO subject the seller 70
loss that might arise from deprecated cur
rency, but he paid the cash down, hard money
such money as was current among. the mer-
chants. In a little later period Of bible his
tory, merchants are referred to as those who
do business upon the great waters. But with.
out taking the time TO trace the history OF
merchants through the past. would come ct
once to our own day, and ask you to consider
the vast Importance OF the work now being
accomplished by merchants all over the globe.
The mercantile, agricultural and manuftctur-
ing interests OF n country are closely allied.
- 4. -, "a, f1 thn rNnor ootnfnr,on 100
and development OF the other. They consti.
tute the grand essentials OF commerce, and
who for a moment will question the Promi-
ISa sr OF 1ne Place of % %hy peoppe n gli nais aa
from Britain her commerce, and you rob her
OF one Of the mightiest contributors to her
power and ::lory; Fake rom Amerlca ner
and you would strike a blow at her greatness
and renown, under the force OF which she
would fall from the high eminence upon
which she now justly stands as q nation, and
soon lapse into obscurity and insignifcance.
But not only is 1t true that merchants have
ever acted O conspicuous part In developing
the resources and contributing to the wealth
of the world, but some Of the noblest charities
now known to the world, have been origina;
In mercantile pursuits. Some Of the most
illustrious philanthropists, and most unset
fish and liberal benefactors ever known to
earth have gone forth from the, mercantile
contributed a no Insignificant quota OF au-
thors, statesmen and scientific men.
Az 8 class merchants are liberal and benev.
olent, and to them the church Is indebted for
q larger share OF material support than she
derives from any other source. AS TO the
merchants OF our own town, 1 am sure I will
be permitted to soy. without having the
charge of arrogance laid at my door, that
they are high-toned, honorable gentlemen,
men OF character, integrity and Intelligence,
worthy citizens, enterprising and public spir.
tied. ready and willing at all times to assist
by their means and efforts any and every un:
dertaking having for its object the general
good.