The Abbeville Banner

From the Palmetto State Banner.

HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE.

We have been much gratified at the manner in which those of our "Palmetto Boys," who have returned, have been received by our citizens. On every hand they have met with the most cordial reception, and as far as honors and attentions can do so, have been repaid for their almost unparalleled hardships, their gallant bearing and chivalrous conduct in the Mexican campaign. Nobly have they sustained the honor of the State and of the American Army. Whether, in the laborious and exhausting forced marches which they so often made, in the dull routine of camp duty, or on the sanguined battle field, they have shown themselves fully entitled to the high encomiums which have been bestowed upon them by their officers, and worthy to be placed as they were on all trying occasions, in the front rank, and nearest the "flashing of the guns."

The Commander-in-Chief, the gallant Shields and Quitman, indeed the whole army, bear ample testimony to the chivalrous conduct of the Palmetto Regiment. We are, moreover, pleased to see, in an extract of a letter from Washington, which has been kindly shown to us, that it is the intention of the President to give a proper testimonial of his appreciation of the services of this devoted Regiment. in a general order for the discharge of the survivors. We are also pleased to learn from the same source, that the President does not mean to stop at mere empty honors, but that it is his intention, on future occasions, to advance such of our Regiment as ask employment from the Government. We trust South Carolina, will also, on all proper occasion, give solid and substantial testimonials of her appreciation of the services of her gallant sons.

Many of our volunteers were young men of good habits and education, and acquainted with business. On their return, some of them will probably be thrown out of their former occupations, and it should be the sacred duty of the State, and of every true hearted Carolinian, to see that such as these do not suffer for want of employment.-- There are many profitable and important offices in the State to fill, for the duties of which, most of these young men are entirely competent. These should be bestowed upon them with as much unanimity as possible; and in this way, and in many others, which may depend upon the peculiar circumstances of each case, should these gallant young men be rewarded for the hardships and privations they have undergone, to sustain the honor and glory of South Carolina.

We believe this to be the almost universal sentiment of the people of this State, and that it will be faithfully carried into execution, we have not the least doubt. Although many of us, who by the "force of circumstances," were compelled to stay at home may feel sensibly, the of the speech of King Henry V, before the battle of Agincourt--

"And gentlemen in England, now abed, Shall think themselves accursed, they were not here; And hold their manhood cheap, while any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day."