[572]
again Clemanthe!
We shall meet again South Carolina-meet in better and happier days, meet when we once more feel a patriotic pride in knowing that we are citizens of a common country, entitled to all the rights and privileges of citizens of all other sections; meet when all traces of National hostile legislation are removed, and the Confederate soldier is the legal equal of the brave soldiers who fought against him. Then going forward with renewed patriotism, it will be their pleasant duty to contribute their humble share in restoring the ancient landmarks of the Republic, and in contributing their earnest efforts in making her what our fore-fathers intended she should be, “the glory of America and a blessing to humanity.”
In that event, while the South is growing in material prosperity and wealth, in manufactures and commerce, she will look upon the National government with loving eyes, and will exclaim from the very veins of her heart, “Thy gentleness hath made me great!”
Gentleman of Charleston: For your kind hospitality, and for this magnificent reception, I beg to tender you my most heartfelt thanks.
[Loud applause.]
We quote from the
News and Courier a part of its full and admirable report of
General Lee's lecture that night:
The magnificent audience which assembled in Hibernian Hall last evening to hear the lecture of General Fitzhugh Lee spoke in tones louder than words the high esteem in which the lecturer is held and how dear to the hearts of the people of Charleston is the sacred cause in which he is laboring.
A larger and more brilliant assemblage has rarely before been gathered together in Charleston.
At 8 o'clock General Lee and Dr. Jones, in charge of a committee, arrived at the Hall and were escorted through double ranks of the cadets of the State Military Academy who were drawn up in the rotunda.
A few minutes later General Lee, leaning upon the arm of Mayor Courtenay, and followed by a large number of prominent citizens, entered the Hall and ascended the stage amidst loud applause.
Upon the stage with the lecturer were seated Dr. J. William Jones, Mayor Courtenay, Judge Bryan, Major Buist, Rev. John Johnson, General Siegling, Colonel Edward McCrady, General B. H. Rutledge, Captain F. W. Dawson, Colonel J. P. Thomas, Aldermen Fehan, Dingle, and Webb, Mr. J. H. Harleston, Mr. Edward Wells, Captain James Simons, Mr. Asher D. Cohen, Colonel Zimmerman Davis, Colonel Wm. M. Bruns, and Captain Wm. Aiken Kelly.
Mayor Courtenay presided and at his request the Rev. John Johnson offered a prayer.
Mayor Courtenay then came forward and introduced General Lee to the audience.
In doing so he said:
Ladies and Gentlemen.--We have assembled this evening to extend a warm welcome to our friends from Virginia, and to encourage them in an important work they are doing — the preservation of the Southern records of the war between the States.
I know of no place in the South where General Lee's presence and appeal should be received with more attention than in Charleston, for while within sight of our steeples great events have happened and heroic deeds been enacted, the permanent narrative which is to perpetuate the valor and virtue of a disastrous period has not yet been written.
The best and most protracted defence of a fortified place, since the siege of Troy, was made in our harbor; the courage and persistency of the besiegers has been long ago told, but, alas!
the story of the three hundred who fought and held the fort is yet unrecorded.
We keep in our minds and in our hearts remembrance of these things, and affection for the actors
