Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-01-02

We're psesent on botas days &c the Henderson Fest
va and toek full notes ofthc S6le and eloquent ad
on The occsaion but long time
has elapsed before we could, In the midst of impor
tant engagements calling rs from home, report the
interesting proceedings, that we have concluded to
abandon the attempt to furnish anything like COM
pete record of the sayings and doings on Thursday.
At IL o'clock of that day. the President of the Meet
ing, the Hen. Weldon N Edwards took his station
the platform and called for the reading of several in
teresting and able letters received from distinguished
gentlemen from different States, which were read
the assembly by R. A. Ezell, of Warren, one of the
Committee of Invitation. The President then intro
duced to the assembled multitude the Hon. John
Branch of Halifax county, whose venerable form and
dignifed appearance upon the rostrum called forth
long, loud, and repeated bursts of enthusiastic ap-
plause. We shall not mar the excellent speech of
this aged statesman and clearheaded sound hearted
patriot of the old republican school by an attempt
to report it in full although notes taken at the
time, and now before us would enable US to do so.
1t is sufficient to say, as we do with confidence, that
his address throughout was characterized by sound
Democratic sentiments, eloquently expressed and
produced not only fine Impression, but profound
sensation throughout that vast assemblage His
were words of wisdom, moving the hearts and en-
tightening the minds of all who enjoyed the proud
privilege Of listening to them. He was frequently
interrupted by the cheers of the people, whilst the
cry Of 1.-THE nobest Roman of them all" as it re-
man eloquent" of the happy influence which his
presence and speech had lent to the occasion. 1t
was an intensely interesting scene. The companion
of jackson, of Madison of Macon and the host of
departed worthless OF the oden time stood before US,
like majestic oak amid the growth of forest,
to teach US by his wise precepts and noble example
our duty to our country and our country's Consti-
tuition. All saw and felt and knew that Jno Branch
had been true and tried, faithful and honest amid
all the seductions and peris Of long and an event
full career of public service His venerable form and
sage counsel will long be remembered with gratitude
by the people whom he met and addressed on
Thursday, the Goth of November. For ourself, We
felt that as long as our own humble political course
is sanctioned by the appreciation of such men as
Weldon N. Edwards and John Branch venerable
for their age and still more venerable for their Wis
dom and experience for their honesty and integrity
in public station, we could not be wrong, and we
were inspired with new, fresh devotion to the
creed and the faith Of our fathers.
After Gov. Branch had concluded, the Hon. A.
w. Venable who had made short speech on the
day before, was loudly and repeatedly called for
He responded to the call in one of the best efforts
that We ever heard setting at defiance all our ability
to report him. and enlivening his speech with many
amusing anecdotes, told in his inimitabe STYLE
His speech created fine impression upon the DEM
ocrats present, who cheered him with the most en-
thusiastic applause. Mr. VS. friends considered his
effort this OCCASION and, justly too, one of the
Mr.. VIM. A. Jenkins of Warren followed Mr.. Ven
able, and, although felt for the position which
one youthful occupied amongst the giant intel
lects of the State when he was first introduced to
the Meeting, before he had proceeded far, we saw
that he was equal to the task imposed upon him,
which he discharged in a manner not only satisfac-
tory to his friends but highly creditable to his tai
ents and skill public orator. Warren may well
feel proud of her young and gallant son, who added
greatly to his increasing reputation by his powerful
effort on that day. We were proud ourself when
We saw the venerable Branch at the conclusion Of
the Speech approach the young and talented orator.
and openly compliment the noble effort that he had
made, encouraging him to 60 Oh, with confidence in
final success, in the honorable and useful career
upon which he had entered. At the close Of this
address, DR.. K G. Pritchard was introduced to the
assembled multitude, and was proceeding to make
capital speech, when he was interrupted by the an
nouncement of dinner, which caused him to bring
his remarks rather abruptly to close After din
ner. the crowd, accompanied by band OF music,
surrounded Alleys Hotel, and called vociferously
and repeatedly for John Kerr" who came out of
his room and addressed the people for about three
fourths of an hour in his happiest style. If any
thing could have been left unsaid by MIR. Kerr the
day before that was necessary to establish his repu
tation orator of the first order it was supplied
and more than supplied by his after-dinner speech
of that day. 1t is difficult say whether not the
speech Of John Kerr of Wednesday was excelled by
the speech of John Kerr of Thursday. Those who
heard him on each day, were unanimous in the
opinion that each speech the best that they
heard from him and think that neither, for the
occasion, could have been transcribed by himself or
by any other man. The attendance Of Mr. Kerr at
Henderson contributed alike to his own fame, and
to the good of the cause which he SO nobly es-
pouses
Thus closed the festival at Henderson, which was
altogether brilliant affair, and every thing but
fvilure IF no Nothip0 nd
scribblers have attempted to make it appear, not
solitary unpleasant incident having TRANSFERRED to
the joy of this feast of reason and flow of SOUL
We shall publish, from time to time, several of the
able and interesting letters received from dstin-
gushed gentlemen who were invited, and read on
the occasion, which cannot fail to excite admira-
ton OF our readers Wdrrsnt0n Nens.
SHOCKING CASE OF MINISTERIAL DEPRAvIrY.-The
Rev. James p Jennings late pastor ofthe First Meth.
odst Church, of Rome, N. Y, has been indicted and
subsequently arrested by the Methodist ecclesiast-
cal authorities, upon charge of gross immortality,
and is to be tried the 18th instant, upon charges
preferred against him. young woman attending
Fairfield Academy is said to have been in correspon-
dence with jennings and from intercepted letters it
is reported that the church, the cause of morality,
and the peace of families have been most heartlessly
and shamefully sacrificed Jennings has family.
The above is from the Mohawk Courier. The Uti-
ca Herald adds:
The girl is young-only II, and of one of the most
respectable families of the town of Rome. Her pa
rents, and we believe herself members of Jen-
nings' church. The family reposed the most impc-
it confidence in him, permitted him to make their
house his home during the absence of his wife in the
East; requested him to watch over the conduct of
the daughter and reprove her for her occasional gid
diness-in fact rathek placed her under his charge
and bestowed upon him thousand expressions of
confidence
While they were doing this, he was comprising
her ruin. During residence of some weeks at