The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-08-31

ger. You babe me welcome. You gave
me friendship, you gave me kindness
unmeasured. Your far famed hospital
ity was meted out to me aud to mine
with no sparing or stinted hand. In
times of trouble and attliction your warm
sympathy has flowed towards MS, and to
night, my friends, you have given me II
royal welcome home. How can | ever
forget all this Oh, my friends, if ever
| forget you and your kindness 'let my
right hand forget her cunning 'if ! do
not remember thee let my tongue cleave
to the roof Of my mouth"
My comrades Of the Abbeville Rifles,
for nearly six years you and | have
stood together and sought to keep alive
that spirit Of military enthusiasm 50 es-
scntlll to the maintenance Of any body
Of citizen soldiery-which is itself sc
essential an element in Il Republic where
standing armies IRE looked upon with
fear and suspicion. For all this time
you and |, in The face Of the most ad-
verse circumstances, facing the scorn
and ridicule Of some, and the indiifer-
ehce Of others, have kept alive and
maintained the Abbeville Rifles. My
comrades, | am about t" desert you. but
! III SulS YOU Will III oCSCIG HC. i
have had too many evidences Of your
affection and loyalty to doubt them now.
You have sent to the Governor a strong
endorsement Of my candidacy, You
have said that | am worthy to fill this
office. That l could and would infuse
into the Militia new life and new vigor.
Boys, | expect you to help me from this
time. Under tie capable and enthusi-
astic officers you have, l expect you to
reaclr u degree Of proficiency and excel.
lence that you never attained under me-.
so that when | in the discharge Of my
new duties inspect you, my heart will
swell with pride as i say to myself these
are the boys L { once commanded.
My friends, it is not unnatural that |
should feel ON qualification because
Of The honor that has been done me-. |
would be less than human if | did not
feel deeply touched by your evidences
OF esteem and regard. But through all
these joyful emotions there runs vein
OIL sadness as memory recalls that pious
and noble gentleman, the lamented Gen.
Arthur 81. MauigaulL lie was Il pure
and good man, whose every impulse Was
high and noble, whose soul was respon-
sive to every lofty emotion, and the guild
ing principle of whose lite was devotion to
duty. He was Il South Carolina gentle
man-truly and literally he WIS without
fear and without rcproacn. He has gone
to his reward-the reward Of the true
and the brave. Let us, my friends, en-
ulate his virtues and follow the example
Of this life.
But | will not dwell upon this sad
subject. You have come to welcome
home, to rejoice with me over my
My dear friends l know | have
your COOL will. Let me have your
prayers that in the discharge Of my OIL
cial duties | may attain soiuewhcre near
the degree of excellence which marked
the cureer OF. my distinguished prcdc-
ceSSOr.
Accept the assurance Of my warmcst
esteem and affection. and Of my appre-
citation Of the compliment you have paid
me.
Judge Aidrich.
The citizens then called for Judge
Aldrich, who aftcl some reluctance. said
that lie appreciated the honor done him.
He thought like tie citizens Of Abbevillc.
that the selection made was All admira-
ble one. Gen. Bnnham came from u
martial race. he was born Il soldier, and
reared q soldier. fic closed by saying
that if the emergency arose he had NO
doubt the .Abbevillc Rifles would prove
rs gallant and true in war. as they had
been courteous and gentlempnly in
peace.
Gen. Bonhan then invited all present
to come in and drink to his health. At.
ter tartaking Of his hospitality. ind
some more music by the band, the
crowd dispersed.