The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-08-02


#ience composed Of every member OF the
4 South Carolina Press Association a,
the hotel and all the other guests al
White Stone, Col. S. H. Hardwick, OF
Washington, d. G., delivered the fol
lowing masterful address on, "Ihe
Story of the South" here tonight:
Mr.. Hardwick said: Mr.. President,
ladies, and members State Press Asso'
citation of South Carolina.
Receive, beg you, my compliments
and my thanks. :,
II think the South requires the aid
Of her sous now more than at any per-
iod. of her history. AS you ask my
purpose, I will state that have no
thought of abandoning her unless conf
PEELED to do So" :, .
These are the words of the noblest
and grandest chieftain of the South
and of the world.
1t was at the close of chilly au-
tumn day in little college town nest
ling among the hills of dear old Nlr-
ginia. The family in modest home
had waited beyond the usual hour ior
its bead to return. At last there ap-
peared a majestic figure approaching.
He walked very god among NIL.
He had his military cape throWD
around his shoulders. His mien was
stately and his dignity impressive,
and vet his calm face showed that the
duties of that day as President of the
college had been unusually arduous.
In little while the family gathered
around the board, in their respective
places, and the husband and fatner
took his place at the head Of the table.
There they stood with reverently
bowed heads. The great chieftain al
80 stood with bowed head and uplifted
hand to ask the accustomed blessing
upon the simple meal. Alas, the
agony of it. No sound was heard no
speech forthcoming. The family look
ed up in direst alarm. The great
chiefts' looked around upon each OF
them, a rested long, last, llnger-
ing loving look upon the lace OF the
wife. His hand was lowered; he sank
back into bis chair; his loved ones
crowded around with blanched faces,
quivering hearts. And the soul OF
Robert E. Lee had surrendered 10 God.
The Almighty Father had need Of
him inHis Heavenly Kingdom. And
Lee walked with God.
II think the South requires the aid
of her SONS now more than at any per-
iod in her history. As you may ask
my advice / will state that / have no
intention of abandoning her unless
compelled TO do So"
Splendid as is the record Of Lee
throughout every day of his life, great
az had been his military achievmeuts
beginnipgat West Point, including
the Mexican war, the Indian war, aud
illumined with the greatest glory rs
General of the armies of the South,
embracing all the details of his service
including his visit to South Carolina
to see personally that her coast deitn-
ce were in proper condition. Oh through
all his glorious career, through victory
or temporary defeat, there Is no peril d
of his great, good life which approaches
the sublimily of his quiet life and eX.
ample after he had ordered his armies
to finally disband and return 10 their
homts. 1t was in that time that his
great heart, overflowing with love for
the South and for the whole country,
he with knightliest courage gave him
self no rest or leisure, but at once gave
immediate response 10 the need of the
South for her sons.
Think Of the solemnity and lory OF
that great occasional OF the armies of
the South. These men having thus
Z looked for the last time upon Lee, and
having received his farewell address
and benediclion, then was begun the
occasional, the musical note of which
was not dirge-like nor q requiem OF
despair. But bark! Listen TO that
music and hear that it Is the same in.
spriting, brave tone which was heard
in the professional of four year before
-lhe thrilling note of Dixie" And
these men still sang with grim conr.
age, II will live and die in Dixie
This tune has sii ce found its way
around the world and is the most pop
ular in the world today.u
We have;but one flag now, thank
God, which, on account Of all it repre-
sents, floats more grandly and beaut-
fully in the the air than the flag of
any other nation, and it seems tc
know of itself its own superiority. Sc
with the tune of f"DiXie." / think nc
real American patriot can ever heal
the music no,e of "Dixie"without be-
ing thrilled with greater patriotism
1t was under the flag that we rever
ence that Washington, son of the
South, marched to the front, and i
was to the step of "DiXien that Lee lee
the armies Of the South
Lee could have left his mother coun
try and been honored and worshippet
by the world abroad as one of be
greatest princes. He could have hat
sinecures Of all kinds for merely tn,
use of his great name elsewhere. Bu
he knew the need of the South, tha
ner own sons must care for her, bin(
up her wounds, build up her vast
and war.worn places, and so he ac
cepted his part of the hard task ant
began to work for the South, with th
meager income of q college President
to build anew that college, and to b
forever an example to teach the you'll
of the South by his counsel ana pei
sopal association and give solace an,
encouragement 10 the whole desolat
South; aye also the stricken North
and indeed TO our whole great coun
try, and 10 all the " World beside, AM
10 all men who were and are yet /
follow his example and give heed t
bis words.
Hear again the voice of the grea
chieftain as he says, II have tough
against the people of the North bt