The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-09-29
JUDGE cOTHRAN's RETURN.
The People Turn Ont to 90 Him
Honor.


Judge Cothran returned last Monday eve.
ming from the eastern part of the State
where he had been holding court. At night
our people. under tho leadership Of tho band
joined in sercnadc to him ut his house al
alfpaSt nine o'clock of the same night. AZ
trr playing several pieces in front OF his
home, Judge Cothran was called for, and
when he appeared on the piazza, Capt. L. W.
White said:
.Jw,lgc Cothrun: We have como to tender
you our sincere congratulations upon having
received the nomination Of Representative
to Congress from the Third Congressional
District of this State.
Sir it Is always easy and pleasing to render
honor TO whom honor is due. We are always
delighted To honor You, because you are very
dear to the hearts of the people OF this coun-
ty, AMI especially dear To the hearts of the
people in this town. You were not only born
i'm our county, but you have lived amongst US
for more than third Of Il century, and we
feel that you are indeed one of MS, and are
thoroushly identified with all OF our inter-
cstS
/ am sure only reflect the sentiment OF
this entire assembly, and indeed of our whole
county, wen say We all love you and arc
proud OF you.
Your very name is q household word, and
our children lisp it but To reverence IT..
Sir, you have served Us long and well. No
matter WneFt you nave Dcpl cdilpu, WHei!l.T
to bear burdens, to face responsibility or to
brave danger, you have never JAILED or i;,l ter
cd. In the quiet pursuit OF the profession OF
YOUR choice before the war, you had already
won the golden opinions of your cnuntrymcn.
When the shock Of arms came, and you were
called upon to bear a. part in the late war,
your devotion toduty, your patriotism, your
loyalty, and your Scl-Sacririce were ILLUSTRATE
cd by conspicuous gallantry on many a hard
fought field; and even now your friends point
with pride to that noble body, covered all
over with sears, as the very highest and
brightest and best and most intlubitabc
testimonial to the suundpcsS and brilliancy
of your war record. The war between the
States ended nominally in 1865, but who does
not remember that long dark decade which
broodcd over and rested on us as an imprne;
trablc pail inst before lS7j? More CALLING,
more humiliating and more dispiriLing, If
possible, than frutricidal strife. How we
ionged to be delivered from that iutolerable
bondage, but how faint was the gliinlncr Of
light and hope even in 1873! Bat triumph
was in store for us; the day broke at last;
and a new era of light and liberty Gawncd
upon us.
We all very we'll know the grand central
figure of Abhcviilc county IN that historic
contest, which, more than any other, moved
our people to do all and daro all for victory,
was the honorcd from III whose presence we
now stand.
1t is needless for me to refer to your judicial
career. Your character as an impartial,
learned and upright judge. has been estab-
lshcd long ago, and is now "known and read
OF all men.
In view of the distinguished services you
have rendered to your county and State, and
The lively interest We take III your welfare, IL
is not strange, indeed it il but reasonable
that we should rejoice at your success.
Your recent political victory is all the more
and complimentary in view of the
fact that ii has';slmost come To you unSonght,
Sir, | assure you this demonstration
whereby We would show to you oar esteem
sympathy and love, isno idle or unmraning
ceremony. Your name is embalmcd In our
hearts by all the noble clements that can
of humanity, and it will be fresh and fra.
graut with us To the "laSL syllable of time
In conclusion then, let me assure you that
we have an honest pride in your success, ANA
Il deep concern for the future welfare Of your
SELF and family; and we know that the inter
cStS OF our town, our county, Our District and
our State, will suffer no dctrimrnt when You
shall have been numbered among the coun-
sel!OrS Of the nation.
Judge Cothran, standing until Capt. White
had finished, then addressed him and his
friends somewhat as follows:
Captain White, 1Ly Friends and Fr'lou- Citj-
eHs: have no fitting words in which to en-
press my feel linGs Tonight. II has been Il long
time since have madea public speech, and
were able to Go so, II is no time To INDULGE
in Nights OF clOQucnce and OraturS. There
can Le no proGdrr moment Of q mans life
time. than when he has assurance Of the ap-
iIrovul of his nrishbors. II had received no
other votes than those which were cast for
mo at Abbcviic Court House, and in Ahbc-
willie county, they would have been sufficient
10 make me feel proud of your favor and
grateful to you for your partiaity. If Il
prophet have honor at home, il is the cNccp-
lion, but whrn \ mans nciyhborS, who know
him heS!, endorse. him it is evidence that h"
has lived Il life which has not been altogether
useless. have no ambition higher than to
mr. n ~ n u .in n tl-
fully. All my interests are yOnr Interests. ]
was horn here and have lived all The years OF
my manhood among you. My children ar"
buried here and after u few fitiul years, when
my course shall have been finished, l hope
that my friends may lay my bones down be-
side them. | can therefore have no nspirl-
ions beyond the love of the people now
around me.
ain profoundly touched by your Kindness,
ana have no words in which 10 express the
feelings which l had when / received the
news by telegraph. in the extreme Eastern
part of the State, that there were only five
persons in AL this villagc who did not give
me their suffrage. 1t was II Spontaneous cN-
preston of your favor. | did not seek 1t.
There Is not II man here who can say that
him for his vote. am not anh-
tiouS and would not seek display. My whole
object is simply to do my duty in an unostcn'
tatiouS way.
except that may he able to DISCHARGE its du'
tics, in manner which may he satisfactory
to you, and. if posSiblc, with some degree Of
credit TO myself am satisfied t. serve the
State in the office which now hold, but you
have chosen To ask me to rcprCSeityou in the
Third Congressional District. You took me
as you .Ound me. yielded TO your solicit;t-
!ion, and yuur votes have elected me. shall
strive to serve you faithfully. You know
that have no Vauting ambition, but, rather,
that am mbuca with Il sense of my INSULT.
cheney. Your voice has indicated The line OF
duty which YOU expect OF me, and | propose
to the best Of my ability to serve you and my
State in Il manner which may bcacccptablG.
But above and beyond all the honoiS which
you have conferred on me, never expect to
bc touched by stronger feelings o! gratitude,
than have bcch excited by the expression OF
your confidence in me. Life is not long enough
for me TO forget II. These arc things To ho re-
mcmbcred. They do not fail ont To us often
in lifetime. My only desire is TO prove
worthy of your confidence and support.
Excuse me from making any further re-
marks. Tie grateful feelings Of II grateful
heart is all that have To offer. Mrs Goth
ran has prepared something OF which you are
invited 10 partakc. Please come
this way.
.o< .iu,.r