Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-10-25
TIIE CELEBRATION


In Raleigh, by the Sons of Temperance, on
Wednesday the 18th, will be a day long to be
remembered by all who witnessed, as well as
those who participated in it. The City had
for a day previous been thronged with stran-
gers, and until noon ofthat day they continued
to pour in, creating in our streets and hotels
an unusual hustle and air of activity. At an
early hour of the day appointed for the Cele-
hration, the Marshals for the occasion were
busily engagedin making preparations for form
ing the line Of procession ; and at 10 o'clock,
preceded by Solomons' fine Band Of music,
the members Of the Grand Division, to the
number of more than one hundred, took up
the line of march from the Masonic Hall for
Fayetteville street, to unite with the members
Of the Subordinate Divisions, who were form
ing in large numbers, preparatory to repairing
to the Grove where the public exercises were
to be conducted.
On reaching the City Hall the members of
the Grand Division came to a halt, and gazed
with admiration upon the scene before them.
Stretched out in proud array were the mem
bers Of the Subordinate Divisions, clad in
their beautiful, though simple Re gala of spot
less white, illustrative of the purity of their
principles while bright and imposing Banners
flashed in the golden sunbeams, and happy,
cheerful faces reflected the joyousness ofgrate-
full hearts at participating in so proud a Jubilee.
Soon the line Of procession was formed, as
published in our last, and the long column,
numbering several hundred, with the Orators
ofthe day in an open barouche at the head,
proceeded up Fayetteville street round the
Capitol Square, to Benehan Grove, where had
already assembled a very large concourse Of
Ladies and Gentlemen, to hear the principles
of our Order discussed and exempli6ed.
The exercises were opened by an impress
i've and appropriate Prayer, from Rev. j. NJ.
G. Breaker, Grand Chaplain when Rev. Isaac
N. Walter was introduced to the assembly
Bro. w was evidently laboring under severe
disability, in consequence of fatigue and indis.
position, but not withstanding these disadvan.
tages, he delivered an instructive and interest.
ing address, depicting in striking eoIors the
pernicious effects of alcoholic beverages upon
the physical and moral man, and the adyanta.
ges resulting from a life of sobriety and tota
abstinence.
At the conclusion of Bro. Walters remarks
p. M. w. P. Philip S. White was intro
duced to the vast audience. His fame as on,
Of the most brilliant orators of the age, hac
5 preceded him, and public expectation had beer
7 made to look for something far exceeding tn,
efforts of ordinary men. Nor was it in tn,
least disappointed. With a noble and com
: manding appearance-amind well stored witt
arguments irresistible, and a power to swa,
and move his audience at will, he at one,
\ launched forth in a strain that completely cap
n tivated his hearers and convinced the mos
sceptical, of the grandeur and s~ublimity @
+ the great moral reformation he is so laboriousl,
and successfully endeavoring to consumate-
n 1t would be presumptuous in us to attempt +
give any thing like a synopsis of his remark
or a description ofhis style ofspeaking-Phii
5. White, to be appreciated, must be bot
4 seen and heard. Suffice it to say, that his ad
: dress Uds just Me thing for the subject and III
: occasion. 1t was like one of those beautifu
pieces of the old masters of painting, upo
o which we can gaze for years, and mediate wit
undiminished pleasure, never tll;Hking that b
e adding to it, Or taking from it, we can improy
1t in the least-it is perfect, a change of tn
d slightest character would spoil it forever. H