The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-08-07
A SERENADE.
His Neighbors Compliment the Hon.
HI. McCaIla.

His NeighbOrs Compliment the Hon
L. H. McCalla.
Editor Press and Banner:
A large number Of citizens from various
quarters of the township paid the Hon. l. II
McCalIa an ovation at his beautiful country
home on Savannah river last Friday nlght al
o'clock.
II was a congratulatory compliment upon
his successful candidacy for the Const stitutiona
Conv nvention. and was executed with no little
en- th usiasm on the part Of those constiIut'ng
or co1rse a speech was called for, and Mr.:
McCala. In his usual happy style responded
as follows:
Fellow-N w-Neighbors -
This expression of your respect and esteem
is compliment fully realized ana appre'
While I have reason to feel proud OF the
magnificent honor conferred upon me oy lhe
whole people OF this county In electlng me az
their first representative to tne Consat9tOna sa
more reason to accept this evidence OF your
approval and good will as the highest marx
OF fellow. feeling and friendship.
You,. who have read the book OF my NE, az
page after page II opened up before you: and
who know best the good and evil that lles
therein, have drawn the veil OF charity Over
the one and encouraged with your love. es-
TEEN, and confidence the other. You nave
shown me in innumerable and unmistakable
ways your willingness to hold up my bands
as long as am worthy and prontaole ser,
want, as long as defend the interest OF th0se
that give me place and position among the
councillors of my State. You are not expected
to do more for any man, for when public
servant ceases to defend your rights, ana ad'
vance as far as within him lies, your pest IN
terest, he is no longer worthy Of your support.
When my humble part In the convention
that assemblies TO frame the basic law ior
South Carolina is known TO you. If there De
ought therein to bring into 9pesion, my ra hae1
pen, or a word from my lips that proves me
recreant to the high trust you have 80 gener'
ously reposed In me, then drop my name
from your ballots forever, and close publ
career that never once deserved your conf
When I am in Columbia filling the position
you have assisted In electing me TO, let me
as am wbo keep es Sr
watch over the children, and who are the nrst
TO teach them the story Of liberty, that as COO
Is my witness, 1 will not give my vote or ap.
door OF that Convention looking to the abro-
CATION or destruction OF any OF the rights or
liberties now secured TO the women OF our
State, that my voice will rise against the man
who dares to introduce such O measure, That
my strength will be exhausted In the defense
Of my position, and that the effort OF my lie
will be TO assist In handing down TO their
Ing p people Ell in this nnion of sovereign States.
At the close OF Mr.. McCalla' g speech, tbree
cheers were given for Abbeville's senator
with response that made the WelKln ring:
A very Unfortunate accident occurred al This
juncture of the proceedings. Mr.. j. U:
Thomas, who occupied the front column OF
the procession, and who wore q long linen
duster, buttoned up from top to bottom, and
who appeared at this juncture Of the proceed
ings not to understand the proper thing TO De
done next, was addressed by the Senator. who
said: "If Mr.. Coxey wishes, he can ascend
the steps and make b Is speech, while you, my
friends, can remain on the grass"
It Is not necessary 10 describe the erect OF
the Joke, 1t can be so much better imag-
ined But there is one thing can be truthfully
said, and that is this, none present enjoyed
the 'Coxey joke more than Mr.. ]. G. Thomas,
the incorrigible humorist OF Lowndesvllle
County. ~
The friends were then invited In, and after
a little hustling around to secure seats. q very
pleasant time was spent in telling political
Lowndesville, s. G., Aug. S, 1895. c. 7. B.