Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-15

private circumstances compel an act
which my own sensibuitIes would other
wise demand.
am about TO become a refugee. l have
removed my poor little children to Column
bia. and | am selling IF what | can for
two Objects-tO save them from the wreck,
and t. provide means Of paving taxes and
OF supporting the family. Our precinct
is one which is necessarily endangered
by the obvious condition OF things aud
probable 3ctiOn Of tue enemy. In the inn
mediate neighbOrhOOd of Branchville, and
exposed as Barnwell particularly is, l
have no doubt that much Of the war will
be transferred TO this quarter. And If
we have no affairs OF grand armies,
though this is particularly TO be
anticipated, we may expect any amount
OF prpying by predatory parties. Hav-
ing put my family in security, l shall re-
main here as long as possible, though |
should feel very uncomfortable If forced
into lodgings in Fort Lafayette or any
other Northern baStile. l am too feeble,
however, tor flight, and must face events,
however angry their aspects. At 60 years
OF age, subject TO chronic affections which
greatly interfere with my locomo.iOn, and
holding no official position. | can see no
motive which the enemy could have for
making me prisoner. 81 all events. |
must endOunter this risk in the hope Of
saving the property from flame or spolia-
tion. Still, while thus think at present,
| shall be pleased to have your own OpIn-
ion on the subject. e., IL the arduOus
duties Of your office will afford you suffi-
cient leisure to mediate my case aud ac-
cord to me letter.
l confess 10 some surprise at your ac-
ceptance of this office, especially as, when
some time ago, we were hunting in cOu-
pies in search OF a Governor but with so
sufficient lantern such as Diogenes car
ried). YOU gave me to understand that
YOU yourself could not be persuaded t.
sacrifice your Judgeship for the High
COnstabulary. or course | assume that
you have good reasons Tor your change of
mood. and L am willing 10 believe that
YOU possess individual resources to en-
able you 10 rise nObly to the encounter
with all the eXigencleS OF the
times. 1t is certainly magnanimous
courage, which, under the present aspect
of our affairs. on a lee shore, with break
ers all around US, brayely seiZes on the
helm and assumes all the fearful respOn-
sibilities of command. l can only say,
my Gear Governor, that l invoke the
Lord of hosts in your and the cOuntry's
behalf. May He endOw you with the
requisite wisdom and courage, and so
prosper your thoughts with His inspira-
tiOn as TO lit you to triumphs such as
yourself, perhaps, never conceived be-
fore to lie within your reach and prov
ince.
know you to be a man of thought and
energy. May God crown these native
qualities with His favor, and make your
guidance of the bark of State a triumph
for your name in all future time, while it
assures our people their security and es-
tahlishes their cause in victory.
n n
your attention. There are some detailed
views which | could wish TO deliver to
you, but they are not proper or possible
in the linn ted range of a letter. Ii is
probable that l shall see you in Columbia
ere many days. / called last Saturday at
the executive chamber and left my name
for YOU. Once morel Courage, patience,
moderation and the clear exercise of your
mind and the adequate employment of all
your energies. Yours very truly,
w. GILMORE SIBIAdS.