The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-02-25


weather had bccn extremely unfavorable
for . week previous, preventing many from
a distance upon whom we counted. from be-
ing present, yet the day was fine one, and
for six or eight miles around, the whole
country appeared to have run together.
The Ottawa Cavalry were ont i'll body.
The Ottawa Division of the Sons Of Tenn
pcrance was out in its strength, numbering
over hundred members the Peru Divi-
Sion was strongly represented; and good
~ number was attendance from the Yer.
million Division, all clothed IN full resalia,
aud regularly organized, with their officers.
, In addition to these were the county Tenn
pcrance Society, and the Ottawa Society,
headed by their respective officers, and
i1dics, citizens aud strangers--in mass
there was no counting them. The Sons
met in the Congregational Church at II
O'Clock, and while waiting for the arrival
Of the Peru Division, listened to short,
ex,emporaneous, but exceedingly happy
address from the Rev. ". KELLY, the
chaplain of Ottawa Division. About II
o'clock the procession was formed in front
of the Congregational Church, and moved
down to the Court House in regular order,
the Ottawa Cavalry, lead by their accom-
complished commander, Capt. CusHMAs,
c,cor,ing, the Sons following, then the So
cietics, and after them the ladies, citizens,
sc. And such a procession The like
was never before seen in Ottawa. Twas
quarter of mile in length, and what could
be more imposing? The ''dashing show
mess of the bold dragoon," the modest, but
significant ''whitc, red and blue" rcgalia
of the Sons, the dazzling array Of female
beauty, and the unadorned matter-of- fact
appearance Of the staid and sober cts, all
in one united, grand array! 1t was sight
TO look upon. But this was not all. Hun
dreds had not joined the procession, and as
it moved along, an almost equal procession
moved with it OIL either sidewalk. Arriv-
ed at the Court House, the entrance was
SO crowded, that the procession could
scarcely squeeze its way in. But here an
other difficulty presented itself. Not half
the ladies had joined the procession, and
when the door was opened it was found
that tho seats intended for the ladies and
the citizens and strangers generally were
already occupied by ladies' The marshal
was in despair. But there was no time to
| change matters now. So in moved the
cavalry, then the sons, then the OIL
GERS, orators, &c., and upon their heels the
ladies' and then the house was fill-jam-
med, crowded. Every corner filed up.
And the immense throng that composed
the local societies, strangers, and citizens,
together with 399 boys, had 10 find accom-
modaticns as they best could on the outside
II was an unpleasant piece Of business.
The Court House could accommodate from
700 to 1000 persons, and it was expected a
gopdly number would be unable to get in {;
but not even the most sanguine had dream.
ed Of such rush, and hundreds, whom it
was painful to exclude, uncontrolbe cir.
eumstances compelled TO remain on the out
side.
First i'll order, Of the ceremonies was an
impressive prayer from the chaplain of OF
tawa Division; ID, ode by the whole Of the
elcome Brothers." and then fol-
lowed the presentation of bible TO the Of
tawa Division by the ladies Of Ottawa. 1t
was handsomely done by Miss o. II. Rob
ERTsoS, OH behalf Of the ladies, and re-.
ceived by Mr.. KELLY, the chaplain of OF
tawa Division. We have been so lucky as
to get copy Of the neat presentation
speech Of Miss r., which we give without
further ceremony. She said
rise, sir, in behalf Of the ladies' of Otta.
wa, considering myself highly privileged in
being permitted, this day, to address such an
association and in this place and through you,
sir, and in their name, 10 present to the OF.
tawa Division Of the Sons of Temperance,
this sacred volume, tho charter OF rights,
privileges, and principles which cannot fail
to secure peace, success, and safety to all
those who are guided by its truths.
We have regarded with deep interest the
unwearied efforts and consequent advance
ment Of your society, and feel persuaded
that what you have undertaken you will
carry forward, and that from you will pro-
coed an influence which shall arouse and en-
courage others to initiate your example, ul,.
til the standard Of Temperance shall be lifted
high in this place, and from it shall issue
streams to make glad the hearts Of many
cheering them with the reflection that sons
and brothers just entering Oh the stage Of
life may be preserved from the destroying
evil Of our community.
We have reason, sir, 10 feel interested in
your progress and to desire il, for who suf.
fer moro seriously from the evils of intem.
peranco than our sex? We would say &C
forward then, and with this sacred book &C.
Dept our best wishes and prayers for your
future prosperity, and with this chart tc
guide you and the God Of Temperance a.
your leader, you will advance in the work
OF Love, Purity, and Fidelity.
We regret that on account of its having
been purely extemporaneous, we are una
BILE to give the response Of Mr.. KELLY. l
was in his best style, neat and happy, ex