Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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VOLUME XI.-NUMBER 1883. CHARLESTON, THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY 18, 1872. EIGHT DOLLARS A SAINT PATRICK'S DAT. -* SPIRITED - CELEBRATION BT THE IRISHJLENOF CHARLESTON. A Bright .Horning-Thc Procession - Splendid Appearance of the Irish Rifle Club and St. Patrick's Band-The Ser? vices at Church and Fa in -r Crcghan's Address-How the Hibernian Society Observed the Day-The Banquet and Speeches X^ast Evening -Annual Sap? per of the St. Patrick's Benevolent So? ciety-Other Festivities In Honor of Che Day, here and elsewhere. The leaden skies and murky atmosphere of Sunday evening gave little hope ol auspicious weather for the celebration, yesterday, of Ire? land's great Festival, and the day itself dawn? ed drearily enough to satisfy the most unre? lenting haler of the Emerald ?Isle and her warm-hearted children. But the Irishman ls not made ot the stuff to be dismayed by tri? fles, and the green badges and sprigs that were everywhere to be seen on the streets at an early hour showed how general would be the observance of the occasion, rain or shine. As ir nature sympathized with the.pluck and patriotism of the sons of Erin, however, there I was soon a sunburst through the clouds, and I long ere the procession began to move the I morning gave no uncertain promise of just such a lovely and exhilarating spring day as was needed to gratify the hope and gladden the hearts of the participants in the coming I festivities. All agree that the celebration of I St. Patrick's Day yesterday was In all respects th e most spirited and enthusiastic that Charles ton has known since the times before the war, I and lt ls pleasant to chronicle tbe perfect good I order and decorum which marked all the pro- ; -ceedings of the several organizations which JI took part In the public observance of tne anni- j versary. 1 THE STREET PARADE. j The Gathering of the Clans-Procession 1 of the Irish R'fle Club and the St. Patrick's 'Benevolent Associational Service? at St. Patrick's. A little after eight o'clock the members of I theist, Patrick's Benevolent Society began to assemble at the Hibernian Hall, each wearing the regalia of the order, consisting of a green scarf from the shoulder across the breast to the left side, where the ends were clasped to-1 gather by a gilt harp. In their hat-bands ap- j peared the Inevitable sprig of shamrock, and apon each countenance was a smile which would bave done the heart of the Patron Saint good to behold. The members were accompa-1 nled by a full representation of the rising gen. I eratlon, and children and grandchildren, J arrayed like their parents, joined In the Une I i and waived their mimic flags of green in honor JI of-thed?y. - ?Jj The procession, however, could not move 1i without the Irish Rifle Club, and expectation < stood on tiptoe watching for their approach. I < The martial music of St. Patrick's Brass Band : was soon heard, and the glistening line of 11 rifles marched with steady tread behind. 11 Their arrival was none too soon for those who were walling. The line was formed at once j : in Meeting street, In front of the Hibernian J Hall, and the procession, with a crash of music j from th e I ST. PATRICK'S BRASS BANI), j moved on np Meeting street The band isa new organization, which made Its flret ap- i pearance In public yesterday. It comprises twenty pieces, and their flne training, excel? lent performance and general bearing -elicited the enthusiastic cheers of the hear-1 ?era, and contributed In no small de-1 gr?e to the enjoyment of the day. Tbe I, members are all young, mostly of Irish de scent, and take [naturally lo the airs of the Emerald Isle. They obtained their Instru? ments some three months ago, and their pro-1 * idency reflects credit upon their efficient teacher and their own talents. Mr. Bearwlth, I, of the Post Band at the Citadel, Is their in-1 ? .atructor, and the members of the band are as I follows: P. E. Gleason, leader; F. G. McGary, I P. J. Boniface, M. W. Powers, Jno. H. Early, I ? N. G. Duffy, M. A. Conners, Michael Barry, N. I ' A. Devereux, T. J. Sheehan, M. F. Healey, j -Jas. E. Coleman, G. Cleary, James Barry, J. I P. Corcoran, B. Belnmltz, Frank Bearwlth, Thoa. Glynn, J. B. Maloney and John Pearlng. j In front of the column marched a commit tee of the Benevolent Association, consisting of, Messrs. Chas. Mulvaney, Jas. Rahall, Dan. Sullivan and E. O'Day. These were followed I .by THE IRISO" RIFLE CLUB < on their first anniversary parade. They turnea out as fine a body of men as could be I seen anywhere, seventy-live in number, and handsomely uniformed. They wore black pants, with a light gray coat trimmed with I palmetto buttons, green collar and cuffs, and neatly corded across the breast The hats I "were of black, with green cord and tassel, I and were looped up on the left with a green rosette pinned in with a miniature gilt harp. 'The colors of the club were an old Fenian J flair, grean on one Bide, and on the other white, with " Irish Rifle Club " hand? somely embroidered upon lt and Bur mounted by the Immortal shamrock. They were borne by a man who had fairly won the honor. Mr. D. Spelman was the fourth man of his company, then reduced to a mere handful, who snatched the colors from I the fallen bearer and flew them all day long I In the deadly struggle at Cold Harbor. In the j general orders after the battle, the color- j bearer was highly complimented, and his comrades remembered the deed. The club bas many tried members to whom it can point with pride, and are men as staunch and true as Charleston can boast. Their soldierly bearing, good order and fine appearance were the subject of general praise. I The officers who paraded are as follows: Jas. Armstrong, Jr., president; J. J. Grace, first vice-president; D. O'Neill, second vice-presi? dent; A. G. Magrath, Jr., third vice-president; I P. Cleary, first warden; p. J. May, second I warden; J. F. Byrnes, third warden; William j Fowley, fourth warden; John Burke, Jr., fifth warden; J. F. Walsh, secretary, and A. E. Henny, treasurer. THE ST. PATRICK'S BENEVOLENT SOCIETY ' came next in Une. The members were In citi? zens' dress, adorned witb the green emblem and the sprig of shamrock. They marched by twos to the number of nearly one hundred and I ^Ity, a solid, able-looking body of men,true re-1 pr?sent?t Ives of the bone and sinew of Charles? ton. A genial smllo lit up the face of each, which shadowed the spirit of pleasure wlih which they participated lu the celebration. Ia the rear ot this body marched a Uno of the younger sons ol Erin, children o'l from five to Aileen years. They were kept up In good or? der, and with their Innocent and happy en? thusiasm appropriately closed the long array. THE LINE OF MARCH was up Meeting street, along the sidewalks ol which crowds of spectators watched the gal? lant array, and eagerly recognized their friends and relatives In the line. The march was an oration, and on arriving at Line street, the head of the column flied through Into King and down the plankroad to Rad? cliffe street. Heading again through this street, the procession entered St. Patrick's Church, at the corner of St. Phillp street, and Boon filled the seats in the body of the church. The crowd followed, and aisles and vestibule were soon crowded with a dense throng to the very entrance. The imposing service of Mass was here cele? brated, the Rev. John Moore, D. D., officiat? ing. A deep stillness iell upon the assem? blage as the service proceeded, and all rever? ently joined In this appropriate portion of the celebration of the day. At its conclusion, THE ORATION was delivered by the Rev. C. J. Croghan. The reverend speaker designated the occasion as one tor sadness and joy for Ireland. He briefly adverted to Its early woes in the Invasion by the Danes,'by the English under Elizabeth and Cromwell, the revolution of the treaty of Lime? rick, and the barbarities of the Penal code. He spoke'of the sufferings of the people, and how they-were alleviated, by.the arrival of St. Patrick-how the Irish never persecuted their teachers, and. how Ireland became the seat of learning. He showed bow she produced the most remarkable of orators, and referred to Burke, Flood, Sheridan, abd otbere; and to tier poets, and of these the principal, Moore, who bad produced the only original epic poem since the days of the Iliad. Lastly, the speaker eloquently , adverted to the charity ot Ireland, which had nourished and kept alive her faith. He WAS listened "to with deep attention, and his closing appeal lor the opbans excited much feeling. At the close ol. the oration, the PROCESSION' AGAIN" FORMED in the same order as before, and marched through Radcliffe to King street, down King to Rroad, through to East Bay, and up to ?larker, through Market and up King again to the hall, at the corner of Society street. They here partook of a slight collation, enlivened with sentiments and cheers, after which the assembly broke up. The Rifle Club marched back to Archer's Hall, where, after three cheers for the president, and cheers for the other officers, ?fcc, the members dispersed to their homes._ THE HIBERNIAN SOCIETY. Seven ty-First Anniversary - He-elec? tion of the Entire Board of Officers The Annual Banquet-A Notable Re? union of Tried and Trusty Comrades. The anniversary of the formation ol the Hibernian Society ls coincident with St, Patrick's Day, and the seventy-first birthday of this venerable organization was duly cele? brated yesterday along w?th the comm?mora JOB of LhoUlCa- and virtues ot Ireland's paluin saint. The annual meeting for the election o? officers was held at noon, the polls remaining open UH two o'clock P. M., and the election resulted In the unanimous choice of the old board of officers for another year, as follows : General James Conner, president; Bernard O'Neill, vice-president; Thomas O'Brien, treas? urer; James Armstrong, Jr., secretary; John Burns, hallkeeper. Committee on Finance A. P. Caldwell, James Mcconkey, T. S. O'Brien, H. F. Baker, F. L. O'Neil). Committee on Re? lief-M. P. O'Connor, W. H. Houston, G. A. Bowman, J. M. Mulvaney, C. C. Trombo. Committee on Letters-James Cantwell, J. H. Murrell, John Kenny, W. E. Howland, James F. Slattery. THE ANNIVERSARY SUPPER. In the evening occurred the annual reunion and supper of the society, an occasion which amply sustained the reputation of this time honored association for bonhommie and cheer. The tables were spread In the main hall of the society's building on Meetlag street. At one which extended across the south end of the hall, was seated the president, flanked on either side by Invited guests, while at the re? maining tables, which extended lengthwise of the nail, were seated the members and the remaining gues s. Among the prominent guests and members were ex-presidents Magrath and O'Neill, Rev. H. D. Northrop, Hon. J. B. Campbell, president ot the New England Society; General Anderson, presi? dent of the Survivors' Association; Hon. W. G. DeSaussure, of the St. Andrew's Society; Rev. D. J. Qulgley, the chaplain of the even? ing; Rev. W. B. Yates, Professor O'Neale, W. H. Houston, Esq., Judge R. F. Graham, A. R. Taft, Esq., Colonel B. H. Rutledge, Theo. D. Wagner, Esq , C. H. Rice, Esq., of the Lex? ington Dispatch; Captain Baker, of the ship Julia, Richard Senior, Esq., Alder mau Moran, Alderman Sweegan, and the Rev. Samuel J. Walsh, of Ireland. At the bead of the hall was stationed Muller's string band, composed of the veteran musicians who led the marches of the Twenty-fifth South Caro? lina through many a weary campaign, and whose inspiriting strains on this occasion in? vited the not unwilling hearers to the attack upon the bountiful supply of good things un? der which the table groaned. The hall was without special decorations with the excep? tion of the legend "Ceade Mille Fal the." which, blazoned upon an emerald banner behind the president's table, bespoke a thousand wel? comes to the guests, but with the honored portraits which, In their massive frames upon the walls, smiled an echoing welcome, and the frequent vases and garlands of flowers with which the tables were adorned, there was no lack of life and warmth In the picture pre? sented in the hall. The supper was served at eight o'clock, and proved, as was to be ex? pected, a triumph of that prince of cuisiniers, the indefatigable Tully. The bill or fare in i nciuded almost everything of edible and palatable luxury that ingenuity can devise,and the attractive menu being fully discussed and disposed of with running accompaniments of jest and laughter, anecdote and repartee, and not without the cheerful popping ol the cham? pagne corks, the first toast of the evening was announced by the re-elected president of the society. General Conner sa'* that it became his first duty to return his heartlelt thanks for the honor that had been conferred upon him in selecting him to preside for anolher year over the fortunes of the Hibernian Society. Seventy-one years of strength and uselulness had shed an unwonted lustre upon the career of the society. It had welcomed those who, leaving the hornea ol' their fathers, had sought their fortunes In this Western land, and lt had extended a loving embraoe to their children and their children's children. It had fostered the wondrous sto? ries of that land beyond the sea, and preserv? ed a pride and a love for the name of Ireland, he took pride In Its history, In Its achieve? ments of ge ni UP, poetry and art. It had smoothed the pathway to Biiccesa of every Irishman who had sought fortune, fame and honor In the land of his adoption, had wel? comed each and all of the exiles of Erin who came to these shores, it had done honor to the founders of the society, who built well, and whose deeds lived after them. He wel? comed the sister societies which he found rep? resented, and he Indulged the hope that the years that were past bad furnished foundation stones for coming years and future strength and usefulness-links that would bind each and all to the land from which they sprang. With these remarks, the president announc? ed the first toast of the evening: The Day we Celebrate-A bright festival in the calendar of Ireland Among tue most blessed of the works of tne patron saint whose name lt Stars, under all climes lt unites the sons of Ire? land in a brotherhood or charity and love. This was the signal for Muller's Band, which Btruck up "St. Patrick's Day in the Morning." The response was by the Bev. H. P. Nor? throp, whose appearance was the signal for applause. Mr. Northrop said: "The day we celebrate!" We, yee, we, Irishmen and sons of Irishmen, and we who, unallled by other ties to noble race, and hal? lowed Boll ol*Ireland, yet unite heart and BOUI In celebrating the glorious memories of St. Patrick's Day. And not only are we gathered together In this honored hall, beneath the harp and shamrock, but all the world over are met to-day, the talent, the genius, the worth, that old Ireland has dowered the world with, and the noble and generous heans that beat In responsive sympathy with the thoughts that are awakened by the name of St. Patrick and St. Patrick's children. Inthedlstant East, beneath the spreading palm tree, the gallant soldier from green Erin's isle cheers his exile with the Joyous strains of St. Patrick's Day. In the farthest West, on the Pacific's slopes, the echoes of the song are heard thrilling the heart of the emi? grant with memories awakened by the fami? liar notes ot St, Patrick's Day. In the streets ot noble cities thousands are moving along in Biately column-the green badge of Ireland on their breasts, the green shamrock of Ire? land next their heart, the sun on the green banner with its Immortal harp-moving aloDg in glad procession In honor ol 8t. Patrick's Day. In France, In Spain, in Austria, every? where, where Irishmen, while serving with honor the land of their adoption, never forget the dear land of their birth, the exultation of this day 1B felt. Even In old Borne I have heard the hoary walis echoing with ihe enliv? ening notes of the national hymn. And .here to-day, in this lair city, the honored sons of Charleston Join the children of St. Patrick in celebrating their festal day. Among ine many thoughtB Inspired by the sentiment to which I hare the honor of re? sponding, there are two more especially sug? gested by the peculiar circumstances in which I am placed. A comparative stranger among you, I ara Invited to your hospitable board-a native of this city, who claims no descent lrom Ireland, I am the Interpreter of the feel? ings that Inspire this celebration. What more natural then than to recall those two striking characteristics that so pre-eminently belong to the Irish people-I mean their generous hospitality and their undying love ot country. Tile wonders of the olden times-the hospi? talities ot' the East-are traditions only for those who have not visited Ireland. They may be witnessed every day in Ireland. Ire? land, rich or poor-among all classes of Hie populatlon-wiih all who breathe ihe air of the Emerald Isle, the virtue of hospitality seems indigenous. I sp^ak from my own ex? perience. I speak lrom the experience ol ihose who have travelled strangers among the whole-souled, generous-hearted, opened handPd people of that country. I call to wit twissthe testimony of a distinguished eon of our own State, who, writing to a public Jour? nal Borne years ago, expressed his astonish? ment, not only at the exquisite beauty of the scenery, the bounty of her soil, but the un boundlng generosity and exceBSlve'hospitallty of the people. Ireland can afford to pity her maligners-VBjfters who, even, like Thackeray with all his greatness Dander so lar to popular prejudices as to ridicule the too great kind? ness which they are obliged to contess even while they laugh at lt. In this point there ls no distinction between the rich land-owner and his poor tenant, be? tween the Anglican rector and the "3ogarth Arooa"-all are equally anxious to provide lor the wants of the stranger and rival each other in their zeal for his comfort. In pursuance of this virtue the difference of class and religion are forgotten. It ls an hospitality that lives not In words merely or even io acts. It springs fresh from the heart. Inspiring the kind word of welcome and the courteous at? tention to the stranger. If he who, driven from bis home Into exile, wrote the sad words "How bitter to eat the bread of another, lo dwell in the bouse of the stranger," had had the good fortune to go to Ireland, he would have bad no occasion to utter his lament. It seems to me that ihey wish the guest to for? get that he ls a stranger-to make him, as they do, love old Ireland. Yes, love old Ire? land, that ls the key to the mystery. It ls that feeling which has filled this hospitable hall, and ?ves a meaning to this honored assem? bly. V Among an the affections whloh Providence has hidden In the deepest and most sacred re? cesses of the hnman breast-which makes the universal heart beat with quickened pulse "one of the noblest, as lt ls the most powerful and unconquerable, is tbe love of country ol the native soil-of the earth that guards the bones of our lorefatbers, and *wlll contain ours. However lt may fade In the heans of other people, in the Irish heart lt is indes? tructible. Ireland! her name ever on her children's lips, ber Image in their breasts, her memory In their heart of hearts. He has but one country wherever he may be-America, Australia-under any sky where the winds may walt him or the billows bear bim, Ireland lollows bim. He may leave it, but yet. he leaves it not, for among the most precious relics that he carries with him-a consolation in his exile, a helr-loom for hlB children-he treasures up some grains ol the sacred soil of his native land. The applause of Mr. Northrop's scholarly response had hardly died away when an agreeable diversion was caused by a musical Incursion from the St. Patrick's Society. The martial strains of St. Patrick's Band ap? proached the hall, and admittance and wei come belDg gladly granted, a delegation com? prising Messrs. John H. Devereux, John Touhey, John Berry and John Burke, Jr., en? tered amid the cheers of the company. The chairman, Mr. Devereux, conveyed the con? gratulations and greetings of the St. Patrick's Benevolent Society to the Hibernian Society. The legends of fourteen hundred years, he said, had planted In the hearts ol Irishmen a peculiar genius, which seized with avidity the welcome idpas of nationalism and religion, the two avenues to the human heart, which had through all the ages stamped their Im? press on the history of the world. General Conner briefly replied, extending a cordial welcome to the delegates, and propo? sing the health and lasting prosperity of the St. Patrick's Benevolent Society. Thia was followed by music by the new St. Patrick's Band, which again fulfilled the pro? mise lt has given In its brief existence. The accuracy and ta*te with which this new organi? zation, with hardly three months' practice, perlormed a selection of the most popular and appropriate airs could hardly be excelled, and the fact that, with but two exceptions, the members are all sons of Irishmen did not by any means detract lrom the appropriateness of their performance. The president announced as a committee to return the courteous visit of the St. Patrick's Society, and convey the warmest greetings of the Hibernian Society, Messrs. R. S. Bruns, J. J. Grace, William England, Augustus T. Smythe and C. O'Mara. ' The second regular toast was announc vice-President O'Neill, as follows : Ireland-Der history is an example of man can dare, and what man can bear, her harp, however, long nnstrang, wm aun echoes of the song that most lmmortaiiz fame In the valor, poetry and eloquence o sons. This was welcomed by the band "Wearing of the Green," and graceful!; sponded to by Captain J. Armstrong, a 1 lows : Mr. President-The simple announce! of the sentiment just exposed ls more ( quent In itself than the greatest wealt words. Ireland! with the mention of name how many recollections arise; many sad and pleasing memories; how n noble deeds and noble men; how much of row and suffering, cf Injustice aud oruelt oppression and wrong ls coupled with name of Ireland. Yet lt touches a chor every breast, and awakens sympathy in e bosom. Yea, even In the breast of those are the authors of her present state, that small voice of conscience will arise unbid and the admission ls torced from unwll lips that Ireland Is grand even in ber mit tune. Why lt ls that of all the nations of earth* that have labored under the yok bondage the eye turns with the most tee sympathy to that "Gem of the Sea," checkered hlstory'of devoted Ireland but plainly tells. Her sufferings, her wrongs, t originated in malice; that mallee been engendered because Ireland been faithful to herself. She bas never c seated to yield herself a willing captive to hand that smote her, nor bow a suppl] knee before the throne of a foreign royo In her most extreme adversity, she has b most defiant. The greater the efforts t have been made to crush out her national istence, the more iurlous and desperate h been her struggles to arla?. Again and as has she been betrayed, and her efforts i dered abortive-agata and again have eons rallied to a common standard, and the face of one of the most powerful natl? of the earth, have dared the effort to rest the diadem of empire wrested from their voted country. It really seems that the Ph dence of God bas Implanted In the breaste her sons the undying sentiment ot national -that in His own good time He might !< them forth lrom trio house of bondage t make them once again a free people. Had Ireland consented to yield and acci wllh servility the yoke of the oppressor, t malice of her enemies might have been i peased, but with ber sens poverty, exile, dei were preferable to submission. So has it c been, and so Is lt to-Dlght; a od we who ha here assembled to do honor to that land up which England's- government has In vain e ployed every weapon to inflict dishonor, c recall with pleasing admiration all that ls g rlous In Ireland's history in the past, ana reminded that the noble deeds of her so both In war and peace, In the Md and In t forum, give promise of a BtllFmore glorie future. But to those sons of ireland who ; now amongst us-far distant from their natl land-to those who have trod her green fiel and clambered to ber hill-tops, to those w could once call, and now call, Ireland tb home, the sentiment last announced has most endearing significance. Home, sw? home, how doubly dear When distant and t seen; how the heart yearns for the spot whl gave us birth, and how Iresh lo memory < every hill and dole where we passed the sun hourn of our childhood. To-night, from the far ends of the earth, t scattered sons of Ireland revert IQ Imagin?t! to their dear island home, rising like a dret before their vision. Though far away, th hearts are lhere to-night. They mingle w the same friends-the familiar faces of co panions are present to their minds, and ma annual recurrences of (his festal day fardos lu distant years rise -from the buried tomb the dead past and exist again as though th were of the living present. A father or mother's form, the Image of a beloved sis) or brother long since gone down to the li resting place ol earth, live as fresh and gre in remembrance to-night as when they li pressed the last kiss ot affection upon tl cheek, and with a blessing gaye a Godspeed the voluntary exile. Ireland ! lt calls up the home, the attar a the grave. The home, the sweet home childhood. The altar, before which the strlc en heart knelt In sorrow, and from which rose comforted and filled wilh gladness. T grave, where slumber thc loving and lov ones In their Anal sleep. Yet these are n Ireland; the malled hand of the oppressor h c inched her possessions, despoiled her homt Invaded her altars, violated and effaced h graves. Unhappy land ! When will the no of deliverance come ? You struggle, but yt cannot yet arise. Insurrection breaks fort and wilt ever break forth, at the sight of yo wrongs, and sooner or laterita repeated effor will shiver In atoms the fetters that enslai you. The banner of nationality, emblazon* with harp and sunburst, will yet float In ti timph above your castle walls, and the stoi arms and brave hearts of your sons will y< restore the crown of empire to your brow. "Erin. O Erin, though long In the shade. Thy star will shine out when the brightest aha fade." The third regular tcast was announced 1 vice-President W. H. Houston, as follows: The State of Sonth Carolina-Great in the pas depressed In the present, destined In the futm to redeem her present and rival her past. This sentiment was greeted with the i ami lar strains of Dixie, and responded lo by Coli nel B. H. Rutledge, who said: Sir-I thank you for that sentiment. Ever syllable of lt vibrates through my heart. I bi lleve lt to be altogether true. South Carolina hi been creat. She ls depressed,and I Implore th God of men and nations, who worketh ofter limes darkly but wisely, so to fortify our mind and inspire our souls that we may verify jou prophecy: restore purity to the governmen rebuild the waste places, preserve happlnet and prosperity to our people, and, above al elevate that flag which floated triumphant! In defiance of British power from the battit meats of Fort Moultrie, blazed like a meteo over the plains ol' Mexico, and never lowere Itself to mortal Influences save once, and thei not in dishonor; to Its legitimate pride c place, the unchallenged emblem of the brave the true and the free. 1 have been rarely more emoarrassed In re spoudlng to a sentiment than on this occa sion. Thoughts crowd In upon me. The come not singly, but in battalions. The dlfll culty consists not In the want but In the selec Hon ot topics. But, If I overstep the limits o modesty, and trespass a little longer upoi your putlence than geod taste warrants at i festive assemblage, I am sure you will forglv< me, for who ever saw or heard of an Irish man who was not good-humored on St Patrick's Day. It was remarked at my table, a year or tw< before the war, by a Northern gentleman, nov holding the most prominent literary posltlot in the United States, that the history ol Soutl Carolina had never been properly written and that lt furnished materials for the worl of a philosophical historian, afforded by iha of no other 8tate In the Union. This is true but my business is with the present, not witt the past. It will be necessary for me to al hide to it, for the past ls the mothar of the present, but I shall do so no more than maj be requisite to introduce the ideas I propose to offer. , , , The character of a people ls always more ot less affected by their political associations. lu South Carolina these have been verj marked. From Its settlement to the Declara^ lion of Independence lt was under aristocratic and Myal Influences. That famou3 act closed the first volume of her history. Since then her existence under the old Confederation, and as a member of the United States down to the year I860, has been Republican, and the second" volume ends with the inaugural lon ol the late war. During r.hia entire period slavery was one of her Institutions. All these circumstances contributed to form a public character peculiar and distinctive, marked with strong points and striking ele? ments. I propase to-uight to speak only ol the most prominent. The South Carolinian of that era, which lasted upwards of a century and a half, was delineated chlefiy by lniel.1 fence. Integrity (based on the sentiment ol onor) and pluck-the last by no means the least. Then Intervened tho grand episode ol the Conterierate war, and Its fatal close shat? tered as with a battle axe the entire social and political fabric of old South Carolina. During this fiery epoch the qualities I have attributed to her people were splendidly illustrated. The blood of her sons, shed at her bidding, helps to enrich the soil of fifteen States; her officers I and soldiers were distinguished for military I Intelligence and courage; and scarce ar I Btance can be shown when any one of tl /altered in his fidelity. But, as I have said, the war closed fat for the cause which 8outh Carolina espoused, and a depression followed pro; tlonate to the enthusiasm which had prece it. When men recovered from the stunt sensation of the blow and looked about th they saw nothing but desolation and diai tlon; no landmarks left, all established pri pies shaken, and they sank bewildered : contused Into a sort of sullen despondei Nothing saved them from apathy but stimulus of actual want and the necessit' providing food and raiment for therese! and families. Political irregularities con buted to Increase these sensations, and a s tlment was evolved, and has gained grou and at this day ls doing mischief, that vt the destruction of slavery and the old inst tiona all good has left the State forever: t the character of our people is doomed, a that never again shall we see men like th tbat have gone before. I cannot agree to any such doctrine as tl If I thought this to be a universal beliei would leave a community which had lost c ?MCence in itself. There is a tinge of truth the Idea, nothing more. It ls thus lar true t the peculiar and distinctive style of manp doced by Ute old Institutions has gone w the institutions. Is lt not equally true tl men just as good may appear under the ne although In some respects differing ? Time a great chemist, and in his prophetic aleml from the same elements, by newcomblnatloi produces creatures alike lu organization t varying in characteristics suitable to the c cumstances In which they are to live and a The Roman hero of the republic ls diff?re from th? Roman hero of the emulre. aud y both were heroes, and each was fitted for t duties he had to perform. So lt ls with t The men under the old system were the cn tures of it, and suited li, and adorned th? day and generation. There Is no reason wi we should not do the same. The principles genuine manhood are alike under all svsten But have we lost bur birthright of integrit intelligence and pluck ? Has the honor of o people departed ? Let us pause for a mome and consider. Has there been any period the history of the State when they have be? exposed to such temptation ? How have th? borne lt ? How many of them, even wh< writhing upon the rack of poverty, have fo saken tbelr principles to belter their fortune And among the few who have swerved fro the old track, doubtless there are some wi bave done so conscientiously, from an id? tbat it was the shortest and most effects mode ol procuring reform. The fidelity e bibi ted by our people In this respect ls marv? lons. Is there less Intelligence than former when education ls more widely diffused thc at any lime previous? Preposterous. Wi the pluck gone out of ua? I speak not physical pluck. The faculty to fight, wbe molested, ls common to men and animals. I be deficient In either particular ls a moral d fortuity, as to be born with one eye oroi foot Is a physical one. I allude to moral pine that greatest of human qualities, which ei ables men and nations to endure wlthoi flinching the frowns of fate, stand erei against disaster, and hold their own when mi fortune and misery confront them. Try 01 people by this standard. It ls a severe on iou will find them sustain the ordeal. Hai they not suffered the devastation of wat Have they not suffered the desolation of fire The boll-worm, freshets, tempests, have thei not over and again swept awr.y in a few hou the labors of the year ? Has not pestilen< been among us, and while lt lacerated 01 hearts, crippled our energies? Worse the all, have we not labored under the oppressh support of a government which wastes 01 resources, ruins our credit, and by destroyir. confidence banishes capital. Has not e7e the gigantic arm of the Federal power bee extended in causeless animosity to harass ar alarm, until men felt (as old Ireland has e: perlenced a thousand times) that honesty ar their homes were no safeguard against lnv sion and the Informer ? Have not all thei things happened to us until lt seemed as If tl very elements had combined with the maley lenee of man to crush and overwhelm us And yet, here we-ar*r-fiOL.destroyed, in broken-hearted, ?na itv DO. mAaaa terrified. Can you see In all inls anything which ind cates that our pluck has left us ? On the coi trary, the conduct ol this people under tl: singular and fearful trial? lo which they hav been subjected ls worthy of all respect an admiration. When I think of the stead courage with which they have borne these at rersitles it calls np to my mind a most non ole incident ol history. Napoleon, the grec caDtain, al ter his destiny had closed, and whll speaking of the events of his career In th spirit of an Impartial reviewer, remarked t one of ihe generals who shared his captivity "It was not Wellington, but the British so dlers (you remember at least one-half of hi army were Irish) who defeated mt at Watei loo. My plan was to break the English lint and I directed all my enemies to that orjec Alter each charge, I confidently expected t see the line give way, but to my astonlsbmen no Buch result followed, and, when the s m ok cleared alter each effort sufficiently to enabl me to observe the situation, tbere was th 'fatal red line still-shattered, torn, almost ar nlhtlated, but tbere it was still unbroken an still undismayed." Integrity, Intelligence an pluck, the South Carolina red line, will ye defeat corruption and dishonesty, and redeer the Slate. We are told, however, that this is hopeless because a hostile, Ignorant, prejudiced and ossl fled majority will prevent our ever galnluj sufficient control 01 the government, to effec any beneficial changes. I do not think so. I ls true that there is a large majority of thi colored people of the State who have, up ti this time, persistently resisted every attemp on our part lo better the government; and I Is equally true that this obstinacy is due tc prejudice and Ignorance. But It ls possibli io overcome these obstacles. Tbere is a smal part of these people who follow no regular oe cupatlon, who live by politics, and by wha they can get from the government in the waj of offices and other less recognized picking: of the public plunder. Little ls to be hopee from them, because to ihem reform aignlnei influence destroyed, and support imperilled. There ls a considerable portion also who arc steeped In Ignorance, and are at present lm pervious to the influences of reason, or the Bug gestions of wisdom, although spoken by tnt tongues of men and angels. But lhere ii Billi another class which ls composed ol neither of these. There ls a large number ol them who think, (and the number is dally in? creasing) who are thoroughly dissatisfied and disgusted with the corruption which exists, and which brings disrepute on their race, (as this government rests upon the colored votes only) and who desire a change as much as we do. It was the voles of inls class, uniting with the white voie, which has given us a sat? isfactory and respectable elly government. It ls by similar agencies that we must procure an Improvement in the government at Colum? bia. The truth is, the great and pressing want ol the people of South Carolina at this lime is an intelligent and honest State government. It overrides every thing else. Federal politics are comparatively of small moment to us. There have always been, and will always be, two fundamental, discordant political ideas la this country represented by party, call the par? ties as you please. The one of these regards the Federal Government as strictly limited by constitutional restrictions, and the rights of States as sovereign-the other regarda the Federal Government aa sovereign, and advo? cates a free and liberal construction of the constitution. The first was represented In the days of Jefferson by the party called Re? publican, now Democratic. The other by tbe old Federal, and subsequently by the Whig party. The party of to-day usurping the Re? publican name has no tight to so respectable an appellation. It Is a Radical party. E ich of the old parties recognized the constitution; this ls encamped outside of it. It is a revolu? tionary party. In one sense we are all Re? publicans, because we are neither Monarchists nor Imperialists, nor advocates of aristocracy. We are none of us Radicals. Radicalism ls ruin. I abhor lt In all its phases. I have always acted In obedience to the former of these ideas, and will continue lo do so, because I think the tendency of the,op? posite set of doctrines destructive of trueTte publicanlsm and eventually ol liberty. But the dangers as to the ultimate effect of these theories ls In the distance. Why Bliould we trouble ourselves concerning the roaring ot a lion on the mountain side when there is a jackal at the step who has already marauded the premises, and is about to spring at our throats and suck the last drop of blood out ol us upon the opening of the door ? Prudence suggests that we should just dispose of the jackal, and pay our respects to the forest king at a more convenient season. - OUT immediate necessity ls an honest competent State government. How can get lt ? The special and particular mode one can prescribe at tbls moment. The c rations ot practical politics are like thoa the battle-held.. The .best, generalis..oit times unable to tell what precise move-Men advisable until he sees, the enemy de pl But we can do this-we can-hold ours?] prepared to take advantage of. any opportui that may offer to promote the grand objeei governmental reform, and. preserving, w steadfast tenacity, the elements of true ru hoodT Integrity, pinch: and intelligence; can, when the auspicious hour presents ltst make such, move as sound policy dictates. In reference to the colored people, we ct not pursue a better course than that reco mended to the British nation in a couplet the poet by their unrivalled statesman, wL speaking of American affairs,, which they c not follow, and lost their colonies : "Beto their faults a little blind ; Be to their virtues very kind." Sucha policy must assuredly produce hap results. The advice of the veteran leader is true now as then, because lt has its roi deeply planted In Justice and the philosophy human nature. We are In a great peril. Everything ls stake-we cannot afford to indulge in vs lamentings about what is gone; we must up and doing. The prese ut ls upon us ai the future ls before us. The State must be i deemed, and we are the persons to do it. ls certain, no others will. Let us bend , o souls and energies to the work. If one pl falls we must try another, until we do find o; which will succeed. Have faith In your ov destinies and that of the State. I belle ve y< will. Do this, and we shall convert the pr found thoughts just uttered by your dlstl fuished president into living realities. It ci e done. Trusting to the urbanity of tl chair to excuse me for deflecting from tl regular order of the evening, I propose tb sentiment : The present generation of South CarolIniai are In no respect Interior to the creneratloi which have preceded them-willing to redee the State, and resolv?d to do it, and to bar down the family escutcheon to those who con after, battered and bruised lt may be from tl Btorms to which lt bas been exposed while 1 their keeping, but bright and unsullied as tt dews of the morning. Tbe next toast was: The Judiciary-The oonserva'ive element < Republican institutions. Its purity and Ind peudence the sorest protection against popula prejudice or political excitement. Judge R F." Graham, of the First Glrcu Court, was called upon to respond, and said: To no people can I conceive that the sent ment you have just heard read ls more dei than to the Irish. They have always stoc forth as the advocates ot constitutional libe ty, whether living In their native green Isle < In any other land. This nation owes much < her greatness to the sons of Erin, who, by oj ?cession at borne, have come to this land < lberty. ID all positions, from the highest I the lowest, whether on the battle-field. In tb halls of legislature, on the bench or at the ba In the peaceful arts of Industry, in trade, 1 commerce or In azriculture, they have estt bl i shed a c bareet er for bravery, for love c liberty, for wisdom, for justice, lor elequenc? for honesty, for industry and for truth. 1 would please me much if I had a claim t more of their nationality. I have a llttli however, and pride myself on lt. I hav enough, too, to canse me to heartily agre with you that the judiciary is the conservati? element of Republican governments, and itu it may prove effective, and properly carry ot the duties In governments having limited coi atitutlons, such as ours, lt should oe indepei dent. Its purity will almost follow, as a ma ter or course, where its Independence ls si cure lrom Interference by popular prejudlc or public excitement Independence makes us honest and bravi Servility makes us base and cowardly. An Independent judiciary may well be coi sldered the bulwark against executive o] pression and legislative encroachments. It I equally requisite to guard the constitution an the rights of Individuals from the effects i popular prejudice -aaa- public exoltemen brought about by the acts of designing mei or the Influence of particular conjuncture and which, though they soon give way t sober second thought, still they haveatei dency to bring about dangerous innovation In the government, and serious oppression t the lees influential, weaker part of-the con munlty; and lt ia easy to see that it would ri quire an uncommon degree of fori Hude In th judges to do their duty as faithful guardian of the constitution and the rights of lodi vidi als, where legislative Invasions have been lc vestlgated or attempted. Every attempt t interfere with the Independence of the Judie, ary ls a step towards absolutism -the moe oppressive of all governments-and lt Is there fore a duty which every man owes to bi country, bis friends, to posterity, and to him self, to maintain, to tho utmost of his powei this principle In all Its force and strength, t restore it to Its ancient dignity-li at all Im paired, to amend lt whenever lt Is defective and above all, to guard against the Introduc tloo of new Ideas and theories which, under : variety of plausible pretences, may, In time imperceptibly undermine this best preserva tion of Republican Institutions. This was followed by the song from T. P O'Neale-"The Harp that once through Tara' Halle," which was exquisitely rendered am loudly applauded. The filth toast was: The Press-The bulwark of a free government Its purity ls Its power, and its Independence th< y stone to Republican liberty, i Air-Benni? Blue Flag. The response was by Wm. Tennent, Esq., t member of the society. He began with at historical review of the labors of the prest since the invention in 1450 by an humble ar Usan of Gottenbnrg, of printing type and tin appropriate publication, as the first work o an engine destlued to spread the light of re llglon, civilization and humanity, ot the Hoi] Scriptures. He declared that this Invent loi of movable type became in the press th< fulcrum upon which hloged for future agei the destinies of not only nations, but of bu manity itself. Through its print knowledgi burst upon a benighted world, and Iron Strasbourg as a locus its bright and genia rays scintillated lu fitful dazzlings througt the chaos and darkness of error. The people ol Europe abandoned the dog? mas of Aristotle, and the schoolmen anc feudalism gave way to the monarchlet of a Henry VII and a Louis XI. Mind was al work, and it found pabulum lor the digestion of the mau v In the sheels that flew from the printing press, until mathematical and meta? physical reasoning culminated In the prosper? ous reign ot the Christian Queen Elizabeth. Clouds came upon the political horizon, and Europe was convulsed with revolution and bloodshed, but again the press burst forth, and the writings ot Bacon, Milton, Locke, Newton, Corneille, Racine, Turenne and Conde adorned the pages ot literature. The press, througt its powerful and universal facilities, also gave vent and ready access to the enterprise and the materialism of nations. Theil Balls whitened the ocean with the com? merce of the world, India poured bei wealth and treasures into the lap of England, and Addison, Steele, Pope, Swift, Hume, Gib bon, Voltaire, Rousseau, Montesqueu, Jobnsoc and Goldsmith crowned the golden age ol literature, while the purity of the preas glowed in the genial flow of the Spectator and Tatler, as they gulled away the evening hour? at the firesides of happy homes. At this auspicious period, America made her debut In lue person of Benjamin Franklin, and the presB changed its features. Books Jailed to supply the longings of the public mind, and Journalism became the popular literature ol America. Inls country contributed to the world of letters the gems of Irving, Longfel? low. Poe, Bryant, Hmm?, Hayne, Bancrott, Prescott and a host of others, but she early learned to deal with practical facts, and to leave to every man to think for himself and to draw his own conclusions. Thia gave its wonderful impulse to American Journalism, and the legltlmate^press of the people con? trolled the destiny of the Republic and shaped the tenor of its government. Amenable to law, it could not afford to be venal nor fawn like a courtier at the feet of power. Its mis? sion was to be bold and Independent, out? spoken and true. Discussing public men and measures with calmness, and upon the founda? tion of facts, it overleaps the statute law, and reaches the people's hearts lo advance, tem? pering the strictness and oft-times the harsh? ness of the law to suit the public necessity, Through the influence of the press, political parties live, move and have their being, and, being dependent upon their purity Tor their continued ..existence, tbe independent press becomes "the keystone of Republican liberty." ? The sixth regular toast was announced by Alderman E. F. Sweegan, .as follows: . Car Sister Societies-Co-laborers th the same' holy cause, may we ever stand,, thoronizh, dis? tinct and separate, yet but pillars supporting the one Indivisible abrlo bf charity and good fellow? ship.. (Air-Home Again, ? This .was responded to hy General B. H. An? derson, president of the Survivors' Ass oe la t?o?, who said: ? rtpcs'i Mr; President and Gentlemen of ike Hibernian Society; tc i .-tv? : .From the remotest pe ria a>i h -tho history o? mankind there, nave been -sfouDd some .who bestowed their whole energies upon the in? culcation and practice o? virtue, or the devel? opment and preservation of the better spirit in man. Th ere are, perhaps, no Impulses o? the human heart more indestructible, nor any of Ita aspirations more pure, than those whion spring from a desire to cultivate, cherish and .perpetuate whatever ia good, or grand/or loveable; to preserv? the recollections ; of heroic actions, to celebrate the Influences of the beautiful,, and to encourage the exercise ol the nobler passions. The modes by which thlahas been a!tempted to be done are .various apd attractive. Bell? glon, with its Inspired word's; poetry, with its measured strains; painting, with its beautiful delineations; sculpture, with lits stately and graceful forms, and music, with its melodious tongue, have each and all been employed to assist in attaining this lofty purpose** Ic ls worthy or remark (ff Indeed lt may not be accepted as a strong argument'In- fayor'of the divine origin of the s oui and Its immortal? ity) that art and bumah sympathy have very rarely been employed In .tbe propagation of ideas or principles known to be wrong. Their efforts and their yearnings are always directed towards something higher, or reaching- after something better. The poet has not prostituted his art to tho creation ot Ideas which are mean or revolting; the painter has not disfigured Ms canvas by scenes or countenances willoh are sickening or repulsive, nor yet bas the* scuptor abused the use. of his .chisel by representations of hideousness and deformity. The historian, .'and the ' writer of romance de? light cot in those descriptions' which- excite the baser passions, and music always sighs to at lune our hearts Into, concord with the gen? tler Impulses, ot our nature. It ls no'argo- ~ merit against these assertions that there have been men who seem to have been almost to? tally debased, who seem as If in very con tra? dici?n to every good principle or every 'exalted emotion to nave said, "Evil, be thon my good," - for these are exceptions which prove the role, and If in some instances charity has thrown a veil over their misdeeds, or romance painted their characters with ficti? tious coloring, if was' because they stilt- pre -sejraed some drops of tbe milk of human Kind? ness in their breasts, and they had not totally dlallgured their humanity. . In distant ages the nobler struggle; 'was maintained almost exclusively by Individuals. Lawyers and prophets, priests and poets, as they successively appeared, seem to have been not only alone and unaided by their fel? low men, butin very many instances martyn to their cause. In times more recent, men? guided by the same spirit, and having conge? nial tastes, similar principles, common" our- . Bults, common recollections or commoa de el res, formed themselves Into associations and societies for the purpose of practicing or pre? serving that which 1B, or which seems to be, moot nearly akin to their Immortal souls. This association ot men into organized societies for tbe more effectual accomplishment, of some g oed purpose, or of practicing some good prin? ciple, bas sprung Into'existence since the day when a new light shone upon the world, and kindled by its purer flame nobler aims and grander energies in the soul o? man. The Institution of, societies and associations, in all their various forms, derives ' Its origin (rom the teachings and example of Him who came to proclaim "Peace upon earth and good will towards men," who gave to men the new commandment to "love one another," and who sets before them the example of a perfectly pure and holy life. Recognizing almost in-> silnctlvely the purifying and elevating In* ' fla ;nces of this supreme excellence,the prin? ciples which govern associations are nearly aline in all, whilst their modes ot operation are extremely various. We find some de? voting themselves to charity in its loftiest sense; some practice benevolence; others seek the advancement ant*, .ilffusicm of knowledge; some apply themselves to literature; some to the cultivation of skill In the arte; some In? dulge the social virtues in recreation and amusements, and In many other way bas man learued to lend a helping band to his brother and bis neighbor. Even the brutes which are subservient to man have not been overlooked, and societies have been formed to encourage gontleneas and humanity in their treatment. The objects for which the Hibernian Society was formed are very clearly set forth In the preamble to Its constitution. "The happiness of men upon earth, and the promotion of their choicest interests, are or? dained by Providence to depend on their mu? tual aid and harmonious union."' . ....?.?. "As beneficence too widely diffused ceases to be a virtue, the society considers some specific object necessary to be adopted: and as among the number of cases on which be? nevolence may be worthily exercised, the as? sistance of distressed emigrants from Ireland appears most prominent, the society does adopt relief to this description of persons as their primary object. Intimately connected with tais lt ls their wish to promote social harmony and friendly Intercourse with each other, thus blending tbe happiness of assist? ing others, with the promotion of their own felicity." * . * * ? . ? . Animated by these generous sentiments, and practicing their dictates with the same liberal spirit In which they were conceived, the Hiber? nian Society bas become venerable and illus? trious. She celebrates to-day her seventy-first anniversary, and sends kindly greeting to her sister societies. Her sisters receive her salu? tations with unfeigned pleasure, and with re? sponsive esteem and regard, and offer to her their heartfelt congratulations on this happy occasion, and their earnest good wishes for her long-continued happiness, prosperity and uselulness. The last of the regular toasts was : Woman-Our guide in childhood, the partid- - pator ot onr happiness, our solace In adversity. This was felicitously responded to by OL'' 0. Trumbo, Esq., a member ot the society, who alluded In his happiest style to the agreeably onerous task that bad been imposed upon bim. It wes, he said, one of the sublimest qualities of Irish genius-a native quality of the Irish character-never to forget that heroic respect and chivalrous affection toward woman that have made her the unchallenged queen of the Irish heart, and have pictured her for one hundred years upon the Emerald flag, striking the Immortal harp ot Erin to its heroic num? bers, as the beBt emblem of Irish devotion, Irish patriotism and Irish nationality. The orator and the poet, the sculptor and the painter had tried for ages fittingly to express the i mm ot:. admiration of the human heart for - ian, and bad but par? tially succeeded; and he would do no more than ask them to remember that it was^ the daughter of Pharaoh who rescued the hero of the Mosaic covenant; that lt was Ju? dith who slew the tyrant of her people; that lt was Maty, the Blessed Mother, who crushed the serpent's head; that lt was the wife of Constantine who converted ihe Pagan world;. that it was the spirit of the Spartan mother - that stood In the gap of Thermopylae and that wherever the desperate virtue of a people has rallied in the last entrenchments of patriot? ism, scorning disaster and death, while wrenching victory from threatened defeat, that lhere it has always been the divine spirit of woman that sustained the struggling hero and consoled the dying patriot. Not the least pleasant feature of the occa? sion was the receipt of the greetings of sister societies which were unable to send represen? tatives, and of letters from distinguished gentlemen whose engagements prevented their attendance. Among the latter were the following: NEW YORK, March 15, 1872. W. A. Courtenay, Esq.: MT DEAR SIR-I have been again honored by an Invitation to attend the banquet of the oid Hibernians of Charleston-a pleasure which I have never been able to allow myself yet. This time I must absolutely attend the dinner of our "Knight9," and must once more a';k io be excused. Pray assure the stewards Concluded on Fonrtn Pag'