The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1881-01-05
The County.
PROPOSED BY MAI. O. T. CALHOUN.

PROFDSED ia MAI. y. i. CALHOUN.
Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: 1 rise
to propose Abbeville County, the birthplace
of eminent statesmen, judges. lawyers. and
we look back and view the history of Able
vile county, and learn through its pages
what her sons have accomplished. 1t must
send q thrill of pride through the heart of ev-
cry true Abbevilliun: they have climbed
high on the ladder OF fame in every depart
ment of our government. She has furnished
to the Gencral Government one Vice-presi-
dent. Il number Of Senators and representa-
tives, Secretary of Stateand Secretary Of Wal
and possibly some of ner sons have filled 9TH
er offices in the General Government whom
| cannot call TO mind: She has furnished to
the State two Governors, as well as Others
who have held important. positions In the
State Government. What has, probably Civ
en- this county more distinction than any
dvced and the high reputation they won on
the bench. This Is a part Of the past history
Of Abbcville county. and I am proud to say
the fame which the great men Of the past
cd by her sons Of the present day. The voice
Of one may be heard In tho halls OF Congress,
another for O short period held the Office OF
Associate Justice OF South Carolina. and TWO
others now grace the bench Of the State, one
being upon the Supreme Bench, the other up
on the Circuit bench.
Not only have her sons climbed high upon
they nave climbed they have stood out as
stars rs bright or brighter than the great lights
When giants like Webster, Clay and Hayne
were in the Senate of the United States, huri-
ing their thundcr-bolts Of logic and elGqnence
at each other, Abbeville county had her rep
rescntatine there, aud none of those great
lights outshone the son of Abbeville. When
O'Neall. Harper and Dunkln graced the
bench Of the State, Abbevillc had her repre-
sentativcs there, and their decisions to-day
show that they were the equals OF those great
men. Abbeville has not been prolific In mil
itary geniuses, but In the last war she produc-
cd twoO. Gen. NJ. ". Gary. who rose to the
rank of Major General and whe now resides
In Edgcfleld county. and General, now Judge,
Shmuel McGowani, who rose 10 the RAM OF
soldiers was ever conspicuous upon the field
OF battle and their military ability was never
doupttd. But If her sons have never climb
ell high upo.. the ladder OF military fame, rs
soldiers they have always done their duty.
They have fought hard upon the battle fields
Of Mexico and the soil Of Virginia and Ten
nessee have bech drencned with the blood OF
called them they were prompt to go, and /
could meution men from our " county
whose deeds upon the battle field won the
pIaise of the whole Virginia army.
tton that remarkable man DR.. Waddell, the
principal of the old Wilmington Academy.
would be n great omission on my part. rms
school is frequently called the cradle Of great-
iiSort VIM w NV 5tS"o
guished men who got the ground work OF
their education there. That school alone Is
sufficient to give to Abbeville County great
distinction. Under that great teacher men
like Crawlotd OF Georgia, Legarc, of Charles
ton, Judge CheveS, who was born In our
own County. McDuftle, Calhoun, the two
Ward.nws lund other distinguished men got
their early training and solid foundation.
There 1t was that the fire OF ambition and pa
~tiioiisIn was kindlcd, and that strict inteGri.
~ was implanted in those great men which
made them shine as Jurisls, Governors. SEN
ntn's. and AZ Vicc-President Of the United
States. and two Of their number almost reach
cd the high position OF President of the
CnliGd States. II Is the character OF those
great men which ever since their time has
cast ls reflection upon the succeeding gener-
atl"nn aud made them feel as If they. had Il
reputation to susinin. And though since
they hnyr ih,rtch away, we have had no men
VITO could nj their places. yet the fire OF am.
bitlrn hnd patriotism which they kindled
St,ll burns. which IN shown In the fact that
her sonh still occupied high positions In the
aud nation. With these great lights
shining around us. how can we, the young
meu of Abbeville County, fail 10 see tho path