Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-07-11
UNION CELEBRATION.

UNION CELEBRATION.
The Great Political Sabbath of the
United States, just past, was observed
and celebrated in most patriotic and
spirited manner, by large number OF
the citizens of Woodstock and vicinity,
in the beautiful grove belonging to
Mr.. Joseph Fravel, south Of Wood
stock. A very large and imposing
procession, consisting of citizens, the
Masonic Fraternity the Fire Company,
Temperance Societies, including the
+ Cold Water Army of Woodstock, ac-
accompanied by the Strasburg Union
Band, was formed early in the day, near
the Presbyterian Church, and headed
by Col. Monroe, Chief Marshal, marched
through the town, to the grove prepar-
ed for the occasion. The Orator OF
the day was the Rev. Mr.. Campbell,
and the Rev. Mr.. Billings the reader of
that noble chart of American Liberty,
and faithful record of the expressions
and grievances of our ancestors, the
declaration of independence. The at
tention of the company was enchanted
by the eloquent Grafton delivered by
Mr.. Campbell. 1t was replete with
truth and eloquence, and well calculated
to enkindle in every bosom, the most
patriotic emotions. No one who heard
that address can fail to love his coun
try more, and to place higher value
upon her free institutions. As an evil
dence of the success of the Orator, the
large company unanimously adopted a
resolution calling on Mr.. Campbell fol
a copy, with view to its publication.
After the Grafton, the Company
were summoned to the festival board,
laden with the choicest provisions,
prepared and arranged in the most
tasteful style. The day was most pro-
pitious, and the grove in which the
company were assembled was filled
with the sweet strains of music from
the Band; added to this, the ladies, ani-
mated by that love Of country which
ever characteristics the sex, were pres
ent in large numbers to give grace ano
animation to the scene. All was Joy
and harmony, and not an incident oc'
cured to interrupt the pleasures of the
day. The proceedings afforded strl-
king and beautiful exhibition of thai
liberal and tolerated spirit so becoming
a people protesting to be free. The
platform of republicanism was shown
on a day like this, to be broad enough
for the accommodation of all, anc
whilst differences Of opinion, the legit-
innate offspring of liberty, were known
to exist upon the various subjects
which engross the minds of men, there
was the ample proof afforded, that IL
the one great point, that of the great
est amount of personal freedom com
patible with order, decorum and har-
mony, the company could ard did a
gree. In the evening the party re-as-
sembled in the academy, and were en-
tertained by Messrs. Billings Camp,
bell and Strayer, who were called
out by the company, with addresses
on the great subject of Temperance
Reform, and thus closed the day IN the
same rational and sociable spirit in
which it had been celebrated. 1t need
scarcely to be added, after what has
already been stated, that the proceed
ings of the day were conducted on
strict temperance principles, though
not a Temperance Celebration.
The absence of that boisterous, trou-
blesonle and disagreeable old fellow,
who in oldentinaes, claimed by a sort
of divine right to preside on occasions
of this kind, caused no regret in the
mind of a single person present; but
on the contrary it seemed the umver-
sal opinion that he was usurper and
a tyrant, and unfit to rule over free
people. It was day which will
long be remembered with feelings O
pride and pleasure, by those who part.
cipated in its celebration.
The following are the toasts dranl
! upon the occasion. Green B. Samuel