Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-11-18
GENERAL LEE In CHARLESTON
His Eutertainment-An Eloquent
Response.

Gen. Fitzbugh Lee and his companion,
DR.. Jones, Secretary Of the Southern His
toricsI Society, received a grand ovation in
Charleston Thursday. A public reception
was held at the Council Chamber, and hun
dreds Of CharlestOn's brave sons and fair
daughters assembled to greet the distin-
guished Southern leader. Subsequently a
collation. was given In the City Court room,
and after the good things had been dis
cussed Mayor Courtenay raped the com
psny to order and offered as a sentiment,
1.-THE State Of Virginia and her two distin-
guished and honored sons here with US"
General Fitzhugh Lee responded, says the
NeaOSGHd Courier (sfteT thanking the Mayor
and citizens of Charleston for the msgnit-
cent welcome which had been extended him
aud his c0mpaniOn), In the Following elo-
auent style:
Although l stand for the first time beneath
the hlue sky which contains the sentinel
stars that watch over the destinies OF your
people. feel that l am not stranger in q
| strange laud, for l know full well that l
stand within the hospitable walls OF the
| Queen City of the Palmetto State.
| For many years nave haq a
~
| South Carolina. When a cadet at the I nited
| states Academy msny years ago my room
mate was a South Carolinien, and during
| those four fiery years of trial, when the
crimson tide Of battle ebbed and flowed over
| the soil of the old Commonwealth of Vir-
| ginia, when the war drums throbbed and
sheeted flashes few from serried ranks OF
| steel, had two representatives from South
| Carolina on my personal stan-one my
/ ha UlV
| Chief Of Ordnance, Captain f. W.
| Dawson, then a gallant soldier, now
an honored adopted son of South Carolina,
/ a patriotic citizen OF Charleston, who has
plaved since the war so important part In
| restoring equal rights and privileges to all
the citizens of your State. 1t has been my
fortune In the days gone by often to have
| stood, as many of you have done, watching
| and waiting for the coming day. and as
have stood and watched and waited have
seen the clouds gradually become brighter
and brighter, until at last their tips were
| giIded with the coming sunshine, and the
| great orb OF day would burst forth in all the
| splepdor Of his unclouded majesty. l think
| to-day that l may congratulate the people
| Of South Carolina that the dark clouds that
| have hung like funeral pail over their State
have at last permanently drifted away be-
fore the new sun of peace and prosperity,
| whose rays are now gliding with a new
| glory her lovely hillsides and valleys. In
the beautiful drama OF Ion, when the death
| devoted Greek is about to Yield his life as a
| sacrifice to fate, he is asked by his Cleman-
the il they would ever meet again, and he
saws 81 have asked that dreadful question OF
the hills that are eternal, OF the clear streams
that flow forever, OF the stars amid whose
azure fields my raised spirits have walked
IN glory, and they are dumb; but when
look upon thy living face feel that there
is something IN the love that mantles
through its beauty that cannot wholly
perish. We shall meet again Clemantha!'
We shall meet again, South Carolina-meet
10 better and happier days, meet when we
once more feel patriotic pride in knowing
that we are citizens of a common country,
entitled to all the rights aud privileges Of
citizens Of ali other sections; meet when
| all traces of National hostile legislation are
| removed and the Confederate soldier is the
| legal equal of the brave soldiers who fought
against him. Then going forward with re-
newed patriotism 1t will be their pleasant
duty to contribute their humble share In
restoring the ancient landmark OF the Re
| public and In contributing their earnest
efforts ia making her what our forefathers
intended she should be, 1.-THE glory OF
America and a blessing to humanity" 10
that event, while the South is growing In
material prosperity and wealth, in manu-
features and commerce, she will look uDOn
the present government with loving eyes
and will exclaim from the very veins OF
her heart, "Tby gentleness hath made me
great"
Gentlemen Of Charleston: For your kind
hospitality aud for this magnificent recep-
ton, beg to tender YOU my most heartfelt
thanks. loud applause.
After the collation. General Lee and Dr.
Jones were escorted TO the City Hall. where
they were treated to an exhibition OF the
efficiency of the Charleston Fire Depart
ment.