The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-12-11

| say 1t from my own heart, ana Dut
reflect the feelings and the sentiments
of every delegate upon this floor when
I say that when we leave here we
leave it with no heatburnings; with
no preiudices; we leave it united
people once more
Gentlemen, you have honored me.
My people have honored me. You,
representing them in your sovereign
capacity, have honored me by putting
me in this position you have honored
me with these resolutions; you have
honored me with this gift, which
shall cherish, and let me assure you
that as its hands mark the fleeing mo
ments of my life-as the years pass by
and as the time draws nearer for my
departure from this world, I shall al
WAYS look at this and recall the green
memories of this convention; the hap.
py hours spent in watching the peo'
pie; watching the citizens with but one
idea-making the law of their State
with but one motive actuating them
the happiness of her people, and
shall turn to this always with the hap
piest of memories.
And now, gentlemen, let me assure
you that as it shall also be a reminder
as has been suggested by the gentle
m1n from Barnwell, I shall assure
you that before we meet in anothe,
Constitutional convention, I shall be
a married man. I am satisfied, gen.
tlemen, it will be sooner but this is too
dignified place to make rash promises.
And now gentlemen, in bidding you
good bye; in bidding you farewell ; in
adiourning your deliberations, let me
wish you happy Christmas, a happy
New Year, and may God cause His
blessings to shower upon you, and
upon the State for which you have
worked so hard. lam satisfied that
your work will live after you. I am
satisfied that an honest constituency
will say well done, good and faith
full servants"
thank you, gentlemen, for these
honors. have endeavored In your
deliberations to be fair. I have en-.
deavored to exhibit no passion. re-
alize fully the frailties of human ma,
ture, and I realize fully that I have not
always conducted myself as Ishould
have done; but am satisfied you will
agree with me that it was an error of
the head and not of the heart.
And now I bid you Godspeed, and
may heaven bless our State as we 60
forth hand in hand, one heart and
one people, invincible and prosperous.
Governor Evans was frequently in
terrupted by applause.
Colonel Aldrich at this juncture Of
fered resolution, which was adopted,
that all those making speeches in these
farewell exercises be requested to furn-
ish copies, and that they be printed in
the journal.
MORE PEACE AND UNITY.
Vice-President Jones then took the
floor and spoke as follows:
Mr.. President-I do not rise to make
speech, but rise in behalf of Vice
President Talbert, who is discharging
his duty at the national capital and in
my own behalf to thank this conven-
tion for the pleasing testimonies which
they have seen fit to give us as vice
presidents of this convention. tits no
Slight honor to have a body of such
able and patriotic men TO show their
appreciation of the services of the otti-
GERS of this body. I feel it an honor
to have been a vice-president of this
convention, and I thank this conven-
ton for the expressions of apprecia-
ton voted in these resolutions. l am
gratified that the assembling OF this
convention, in addition to having pro-
duceda Constitution of which any
South Carolinian might be proud, has
been productive if anything of even a
greater benefit than this. 1t has
taught US all as Carolinians that at
heart we love our State and love its
best interests, and that we are really
one people, however much we may
seem to divide upon factional lines.
Ard I am satisfied that the good work
done by this convention will not end
by its adjournment, but we will all 60
home feeling that it was good that
the people of South Carolina should
have been assembled in this conven-
ton, and feel that, even if we differ
hereafter, we can differ as breth-
eren without the differences of thes
past. We can have more respect and
admiration for each other, and issue
hereafter may be decided upon the
forum of reason, of intelligence and
merit. thank you, gentlemen, for
your attention. (Applause.)
A CONCLUDING PRAYER.
Mr.. w. D. Evans then rose and said
that before adjournipg he thought it
proper that the proceedings of this oc-
casion should be closed by asking one
of the chaplains to dismiss them with
prayer.
His motion to that effect was agreed
to.
THE SAGE OF EDGEFIELD.
Mr.. Burn said that there was pres
ent patriot and a statesman, Mr.. G.
D. Tillman, from whom the conven-
ton would be very glad to hear once
more.
There were repeated cries of "Till-
man! Tillman!" and enthusiastic ap-
plause, until Mr.. Tillman finally
arose, and with great deliberation be-
gan to speak. He was much over.
come by the high compliment paid
him. He spoke for about 80 minutes,
dealing with the State in relation to
the Federal government, and touch
ing upon the present national political
outlook. He prayed God that Tom
Reed will not be made President. His