The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-10-18
THE LOUDOUN FESTIVAL.
EIGHT THOUSAND WINGS INCoUNCIL.
"Huzza! Huzza the MOTHER State
Will go for CLAY as sure as fate !"


have attended during the campaign, this was I'M
doubtedly lin all, save in numbers the Wing Fes-
tival of 1874 The weather, unfortunately, the
day previous and the first day of the meeting
extremity unpropitious for travelling, cold rain
having set in about noon on Monday, which last
ed till Tuesday about midnight, deluging the
roads so as to make them almost impossible !;
but, Notwithstanding these obstacles, hundreds
poured into town on Monday night and during
Tuesday, from Loudoun and the adjoining coun-
ties; even as early as shutdown on Monday the
inspiring songs of that glorious band of Wings,
the Alexandria Glee Club, were already resound-
ing through the town.
The delegation from Georgetown, about sew
enty in number, with their Glee Club, (who went
by the canal to within three miles of Leesburg),
were brought up in stages, after many mishaps,
about ten o'clock; though drenched with rain,
the town echoed to their cheerful songs
On Monday night large meeting in the,
Courthouse was addressed by Messrs. Snowden,
of Alexandra, and Janney, of Loudoun, the Eec-
tor for the District many good Wing melodies
were sung by the Glee Club of Alexandra, in
style and with spirit which has never yet been
surpassed.
On Tuesday, the day set apart for the process
sion, being SO nclement, it was postponed till
next day, and the people again assembled at the
Courthouse, and were addressed by the Hon. B.
WATKINS LEIGH, and Hon. JOHN M. Boris, of
Richmond, Hon. CUTHBERT POWELL, of Loudoun,
and HENRY w. THOMAS, Esq, of Fairfax, Assist
ant Elector for the District. During the even
ing, the delegations from Charlestown, Harper's
Ferry, Mddleburg, Adie, Fairfax, Summer Hill
Salem, &C., arrived, several of them accompanied
the town was crowded in every quarter; nearly
every house was illuminated, and festooned with
wreaths of evergreens and f1owcrs-evidencn
that the wing mothers and daughters of Loudoun
intended to do their part in the festival. During
Tuesday night the clouds broke away, and on
Wednesday morning the sun shone out brightly,
cheering every heart, and by 9 o'clock, the
avenues leading to town were filled with delega-
tons on horseback, in carriages, wagons and in
deed every contrvance which was at hand, many
of them decorated with flags and banners-each
man seemed to have brought his whole house.
hold. About 10 o'clock, the procession COM
menced, headed by Car containing twenty-six
little girls, dressed in white, bearing flags in
scribed with the names of the several States
then followed, on horseback and in vehicles the
various Clay and Glee Clubs, with their banners,
numbering not less than three thousand; and
when we arrived at the grove selected for the
speaking, in advance of the procession, we found
alre ady more present than were on the route
and from the estimate of those competent to Judge,
the assembly, when all together, was numbered
at not less than EIGHT THOUSAND, of which tavo
thousand were ladies'. The arrangements on the
ground were admirable and we presume it is
hardly necessary to say of Wing meeting, that
everything was done with order and propriety.
On the left of the speakers stand was stationed
the Alexandria and Harper's Ferry Glee Clubs,
and on the right, the Georgetown and Charles
town Glee Clubs, and the meeting was opened
by the Harper's Ferry Glee Club, with their ex-
ceent song of "On, Wings to the battle -
which aroused the whole assembly. The Alex
andria Gee Club followed, in their best style,
with :" Here's to you, Harry Clay !" the George
town Glee Club, with Rally, Whigs!" and the
Charlestown Glee Club, with "Oh poor Jimmy
Polk ~
The Hon. CHARLES FENToN MERCER, the old
Representative in Congress from Loudoun, who
had just reached home in time for the Festival,
was introduced, and occupied the attention of the
meeting in speech Of about two hours, which
for sound reasoning and argument upon all the
principles of the Wing party, particularly the
tariff and bank questions, we venture say, has
never been surpassed during the canvass. He
was listened to throughout with great attention.
After the speech of Mr.. MERCER the meeting
adjourned for dinner which was bountfuy sup
Piled by the interchangeable gentlemen who had
charge of that department; immense tables were
laid, designating the initials " H. c." the former
being occupied by the gentlemen and the latter
by the ladies', and which were loaded down with
all the substantias for which Loudoun is famous.