The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-07-26
Fork Greek 4th of July Celebration.

at FORK Creek Church, and truly IL was a
proud day for old Fork Creek. The cele-
bration eminated from the School taught ut
that place by Mr.. J. A.. w. BEESON, n
highly esteemed and eminent teacher, who,
with six of lis students, constituted the
speakers Of the day. About 10 o'clock, be.
tween four and FIVE hundred persons were
convened, who were formed into line of
march by Mr. y. E. Robertson, Marshal of
the day. The male youths first, next the
older citizens, followed by the speakers, and
the ladies' brought up the rear. This was
done in order that the ladies', though last in
the march should be first at the stand. They
marched to the stand preceded by Jefferson
Band cheering their hearts with sweetly
flowing music.' When arrived at the stand
the ranks were opened, and the ladies', bless
their rosy checks and ruby lips forever
marched through first and were appropriate
ly seated-then came the speakers who as
cended the stand-then the citizens and
youths, who being we'll seated, the services
We're opened by pra yer by Mr.. r. T. Myers:
Mr. NJ. ID. Hill was then introduced, who in
feeling, and eloquent style, read the De-
claratiou of INDEPENDENCE. Mr.. J. A. w.
Beeson the orator of the day was then in
trodueed, who rose with serene and placid
countenance and rKited the attention Of the
auditors for forty-fve minutes BY delivering
one of the ablest, most powerful and sweet
ly enchanting Oratons, upon Independence,
ever listened to in Old Chesterfield. Indeed
l would not be doing justice to the Orator,
we're not to infom the reading public, in
language void of flsttery or exageration, that
his Grafton was pronounced, by many judges,
to be The most chaste, eloquent, thrilling
and mastery speech ever heard in this dis
trict, and the best adapted to the occasion
The Orator beautifully and pathetically par
| APPRAISED upon the scenes preceding, and
following the Revolution; at one time fill
the hearts of his auditors withsympathy by
reflections on the glorious struggle for lber-
ty, and at another raising their minds and
hearts to the highest pitch Of joy, gratitude,
and wect emotions, by reflections on the
snperlatirely grand progress of our coun.
try in all those things having tendency
to advance our prosperity, enhance our val :
ue and influence and increase our happiness
beautifully rharaeterizing our sons as plants
grown rP in their youth. and our fair daugh.
ters as corner pillars polished, after the simil-
itude of a palace, giving fine portrait of
the constitution its benefits and its bles-
sings and closing with brilliant allusion to
the extent aud population Of our noble
union, and the spirit of freedom which char
actcrizcs the,Amerirau People. Mr.. J. II.
Garland was next introduced, who delivered
beautiful oration, upon South Carolina, in
noble, pleasing and eloquent manner, nice.
ly illustrating the pise. progress, and ad-
vancement of our noble little slate and in
bis peroration eloquently citing our Jeauti-
ful daughters, To our high schools as being
great seninaries of fIearning, to which places
they migh go and glther aurels on the hill
Of science and then be prepared 20 become
greater blessings Ind ornaments TO their
country. A rrcess was then given when
the Ladies' who had prepared good eatings
for the occasion, spread their ample tables
A general invitation was given when the
assemblage repaired to the different tables,
and did ample justice TO the festival board
had plenty and many baskets full were Ieit
AT the roll of the drum the audience quick
ly assembled, when Mr. j. A. Evans arose
and held them spel-bound with an address
on the progress importance and influence Of |
the less. His Grafton was well composed
and delivered, in n very excellent and orato-
rical manner in which he most glowingly
portrayed TO our minds the difficulties at
tending the infancy Of this Republic, and |
then chased her beautifully, in her unsur-
passed progress from the day uncle Sam WIS
born' to the present time, dwelling eloquent |
~ upon our progress in plank and Rail
Roads, steam propelling and tanning the
lightning and causing Il to pass from city to
city and say, (" here we are"
Mr.. L. G. Eubanks was now introduced,
who entertained his hearers with chaste
and truthful, beautiful and laudable address
upon Male and Female Education delivered
In feeling, eloquent and penetrating man.
ner beautifully illustrating the great ad-
vantages of cultivated mind over one in
an unlettered and ordinary state, warmly
urging the sons Of our. land by all means to
seek and acquire on Education, and cheer.
ingly and feelingly reminding the fair sex,
that, their true home was In the valley,
among the flowers, anG not in iie pu. phi, TO-
rum. or battle field; yet, 1t was TO their pc
culiar advantage and happiness to cultivate
their minds, by which. they could send forth
the emanations Of their souls to cnliyen and
enlighten the world. b. +. Miller a youth,
then delivered beautiful ode on the beau,
ties of our country which was highly grati-
flying, and TO crown the Declsmntory scene,
a youth, sir J. r. NJ. Beeson, son of the Ora
tor, in an excellent, pleasing and diverting
style, delivered, an ode, prepared for the oc-
casion, in which, he told oil who wished TO
become good and great, farmers or states-
man o. iuaf IN, r,d.lI.. fl,.t. s.spa.