The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-01-22
STRENGTH OF THE REPUBLIC.

STRENGTH OF THE REPUBLIC.
The late lamented Grady, in his recent
speech in Boston used, the following beauti-
full words:
'It is the pride, I believe, of the South,
with her simple and strong faith and her
homogeneous people, that we elevate there
the citizen above the party, and the citizen
above everything. We teach q man that
his best guide at last is his own conscience;
that his sovereignty rests beneath his own
hat; that his own right arm and his own
stout heart are his best dependencies; that he
should rely on his State for nothing that he
can do for himself, and on his Govern
ment for. nothing that his State can do for
him, bu. that he should stand upright and
self.respectng, lowering his family in the
sweat of his brow, lovingto his State, loyal
to his Republic, earnest in his allegiance
wherever it rests, but building at last
his altars above his own hearthstone, and
enshrining liberty in his own heart. lAp,
plause.] That is sentiment that ! would
not have been afraid to avow last night, and
yet it is mighty good democratic doctrine.
fApplause.] Why, let me tell you, went to
the capitol hill, and my heart beat quick as
I looked at the towering marble Of my coun-
try's capitol, and the mist gathered in my
eyes as thought of its tremendous signiti-
canoe, and the armies, and the treasury,
and the Judges, and the President, and
the congress, and the courts, and
all that was gathered there. And
I felt that the sun in all its course
could not look down on better sight than
that majestic home of republic that had
taught the world its best lessons OF liberty;
[Applause.] And felt that, if honor and
wisdom and justice abided therein, the
world would at last owe that great house IN
which the ark Of the conyenant OF my coun-
try is lodged, its final uplifting and its re-
generation. Two days aite'ward | went to
visit friend in the country, modest man,
with quiet country home. 1t was Just
simple, unpretentious house, set about with
great big trees, encircled in meadow and
field rich with the promise OF
harvest. The fragrance of the pink and the
hollvhock in the front yard wcs mingled
with the aroma of the orchard and OF the
gardens, and resonant with the cluck OF
poultry and the hum Of bees. Inside were
quiet, cleanliness, thrift and comfort.
There was the old clock that had welcomed
with steady measure every newcomer to
the family, that had licked the solemn
requiem Of the dead, and had kept company
with the watcher at the bedside. There
were the big, restful BEDS and the old open
fireplace, and the old family Bible, thumbed
with the fingers Of hands long since still,
and wet with the tears of eyes long since
closed, holding the simple annals OF the
family, and the heart and the conscience OF
the home. Outside, there, stood my
friend, the master, a simple uprlght,
independent man, with no mortgage
on bis roof no lien on his growing. crops,
master of his land and master OF hlmself.
There was his old father, an aged, trem;,
bling man, but happy in the heart and
homo of his son. And as they started to
their home, the hands of the old man went
down on the young mans shoulder, lay
ing there the unspeakable blessing of the
honored and grateful father, and emo
bling it with the knighthood OF the htth
commandment. And as they got to the
door the old mother came with the sunset
falling fair on her face and lighting up
her deep, patient eyes, while her lips,
trembling with the rich music of her
heart, babe her husband and her SON vel
come to their home. Beyond was the house.
wife, busy with her household cares, clean
of heart and conscience, the buckler and
helpmeet of her husband. Down the lane
came the children, trooping home after the
cows, seeking as truant birds do, the anlet
of their home nest. And I saw the night
come down on that house, falling gently, as
from the wings of the unseen dove. and the
old man, while startled bird called from
the forest, and the trees were shrill with the
cricket's cry, and the stars were swarm
ing in the sky, got the family
around him, and taking the old
Bible from the table, called them 10 their
knees, the little baby hiding in the folds OF
its mothers dress, while he closed the record
of that simple day by calling down Gods
benediction OH that family and that home.
And while 1 gazed the vision Of that marble
capitol faded. Forgotten were its treasures
and its majesty, and 1 said: oh, surely
here in the homes of the people is lodged at
last the strength and the responsibility OF
this government, the hope ana the promise Sc
applause.]"