Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-09-03
From the DEMOCRATIC Pioneer.

- ,rt1E DEMOCRATIC FESTIVA ALL
-. last was 3 eala-lay with the Democracy
= + this neiehborhood The attendance was large
Es6e atmosphere pleasant and bracing-the Dinner
tnt;f;,I and exceIlent--the speeches eloquent and
n admirable taste and the whole occasion worthy OF
the brilliant victory which the democracy nad assem-
bed to celebrate Butwe viii not anticipate the
During the morning the beautiful grove ADJOINING
the BAPTIST Church presented scene OF busy prep
aratien Two tables, each ninety feet long, were
ranged PARALLEL beneath the outspreadlng branches
of The riant oaks and at their head was erected a
platform At either end of the tables the stars and
stripes hoated gaiy in the breeze. At one o'clock
the tables were groaning beneath the weight OF one
of the most temptng and substantial colatons 1t has
ever been our pleasure to enjoy. At the appointed
time dinner hour was announced by the firing OF
salute of thirteen guns one for each county IN the
District and the large concourse " fell to with
will and did ample justice to the bountitul repast-lC
being estimated that at least five hundred persons
took part IN the attack upon the eatables But there
was enough, and more than enough tor an-n1eeo,
five hundred more could have been dined, so liberal
were the provisions that had been made
Dinner being over and the stomach abundantly
supplied with Creature comforts" the assembiage
next enioyed rare feast ofreason and How OF soul
J. T. CRANBERRY ESQ.,, of Perquimans, was called TO
preside and in brief but pertinent speech explained
the purprse of the OCCASION and wound up Oy lntro
ducng the Hon. Asa Biggs to the meeting.
Of the speech of this gentleman we cannot pre-
tend to give even meagre outline. 1t was an adj
mirabe combination of eloquence and reason, patrl-
sentiment ana
rapid sketch of the progress OF partes-ot the
abandonment of their former principles by the Wings
of the present dayof the stern and consistent de-
votion of the Democracy to their time-honored art-
cles of falkland paid glowing eulogy TO the en-,
crgy and perseverance, and ability of the leader and
the party who had CALAMITY battled for, and Won
the glorious victory which we were then commemo-
rating These are but few of the topics which
made up of the finest efforts of its kind we ever
listened to.
But there is one portion of this speech which we
cannot consent thus lightly to pass over. Col Bggs
referred to the that had been made in this
county in favor of an independent organization.
While he deprecated the movement and exposed It's
folly in the clearest manner, he appealed to their
better judgments and love of principle to return to
their old allegiance Principle should never be sac
rificed to mere private feelings and personal preudi
ces and those who loved the principles of Democ
racy should hold them dearer than men. If, hOwev-
err there were any protesting Democrats who were
such from principle, he had but one word to say
to them, Go OVER THE ENEMY Or, if any of those
actively engaged in this movement had deliberately
meditated the destruction of the party let them go
over to the enemy, where they belonged We de-
sired men to act upon principle and we were not
Democrats from principle not Democrats at
all. We have no doubt these sentiments met with
cordial response in the heart of every true Democrat
present Col. Biggs concluded by making an earnest
appeal to every Democrat upon principle to rally to
the standard of the party and prepare to stand Shout
der to shoulder in the great battles of Democracy.
His speech was interrupted by frequent bursts of
enthusiastic. applause.
At the conclusion of his speech, our townsman,
VIM. F. Martini Esq., was vocferously called for, and
to the call he responded in speech replete with fer
vid eloquence and stirring appeals
L. j. johnson, Esq., of this place was next drawn
out by the enthusiastic assemblage, and responded
in brief but stirring and eloquent address, which,
like its predecessors was received with demonstra-
tons of the warmest applause.
The editor of this paper was next called out-but
after very few remarks of congratulatory charac-
ter, he told them he would make speech on Tues
day morning.
. During the whole of the speeches, the audience
seemed delighted, and manifested not the slightest
Impotence. Indeed We believe they would have
listened until night, if the speakers had continued.
The hour growing late, the chairman, Mr.. Gran
berry, dismissed the assembage in neat and eloquent
appeal to stand to their coors and with the express
sion of earnest hope that should all meet two
years hence upon a similar festive occasion.
Altogether, we had glorious time of it. 1t was
gathering round the festive board of friends
from the four surrounding countes-and it will long
be remembered by every Democrat who participated
in its pleasures The only drawback upon the plea
sure of the occasion the absence OfDr Shaw who
had been called to the North upon errand of fra
ternal affection
The following letters were received by the COM
mttee of invitation and read before the meeting:
From Hon. IT. g. D066in.
WASHINGTON, Aug. II, 1863
GENTLEMEN :: have just received your kind invita-
ton to attend Public Dinner to be given by the
Democracy of the vicinity of Elizabeth City on
Saturday next August goth, IN commemoration of
the brilliant victory achieved by the Democracy at
the late election"
Circumstances, which need not specify forbid
my enjoying the pleasure of your hospitality. No
one in your District gentlemen, rejoces more than
myself at your truly brilliant victory" With all
my heart congratulate you.
You have done nobly in this animated contest for
you have sustained sound principles and elevated an
able and honorable citizen.
Be pleased to tender my profound acknowledge
ments to those whom you represent, and accept for
yourselves assurances of my high respect.
am, very respectfully,
Your friend and obedient servant
J. C. DOBBIN.
l. d. STARKE and Others committee.
From r. r. HEATH Esq
EDENToN, August 18th, 1868.
GENTLEMEN am in receipt of your letter of invi-
tation, to dinner to be given by the Democracy of
Pasquotank, at Elizabeth City, on Saturday next.
should be pleased to meet the Democracy of this
District at any time: but particularly at this time
after such series of victories as has attended them
for the last twelve months. It may not, however,
be at this tme duties of imperous character cali
them that though physically absent 1 am with them
Henry H. Shaw and the 4th of August 1853
&c the man and hour" for the browning triumph of
the Democracy of this District
Respectfully yours,
R. R. HEATH
To WIN. SIMMONS, Esq, and others, committee.
From 12o,oeo,, EIoo