Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-05-09

s zass-
standing army Of 100000 men. with weapons
turning in every way, and equally ready at an Inn
perial nod 10 fall upon the citizen, or the invader
for We have million swords turning only to the
foe to leap from their scabbards at the call Of dam
ger, welded too by arms not nerved by the hire
lings wages and the lust of booty, but by the sa-
cred fire Of patriots fighting for their affairs and
their homes.
Gentlemen. feel that should be doing injustice
to the occasion, did not recognize the special
claim of a Wilmington company to a welcome at
ST. Mary's It has been NV happiness to have un-
der my "orders' large number of the fair daugh'
tiers OF your city, young ladies, who occupy high
place among the most cherished names in our
franks"
have not tho pleasure, gentlemen, of an extern
sive personal acquaintance in your ranks; but II
may judge of the boys by the girls-if they are
bricks which you send off specimens Of the build
ing Of which you the pillars and support, then,
! say, fairer edifce where be presented to
the eye.
But, gentlemen, you must allow me to notice one
popularity Of my Wilmington "recruits.' refer
to the number and variety of their kin of your own
sex their near relations you will observe, gentle
men, for "rues and regulations" forbid the ap.
proach of any other; never more distant, gentle
men, than own brother, or dear first cousins!
Indeed think there must be some ENHANCEMENT
in the alliances down your way For have observe
cd that when a bona fde brother has come to see
his sister, Immediately claim of cousinshp would
arise between him and several of her friends where
as, till the appearance of this " miraculous te,
had never before been aware Of any bond of affinity
uniting the young ladies.
Gentlemen, don't know but that may lay claim
to an extensive knship myself, among the most
agreeable families in Wilmington. OF one thing
am sure, that in the course of these proceedings
have been pretty thoroughly cozzened
Gentlemen, in the course of my remarks, have
alluded to the fatigues of a campaign. | have no
Aonht fall no hard mil
ry service, you would prove yourselves worthy Of
the glorious recolections of Wilmington and Iiano
yer. But your mission here is mission OF peace.
May it always and every where be a mission of
peace! May peace always cover our broad and
happy land with its soft and downy pinions!
May you, gentlemen, never be called to severer
military duty than you encountered in making your
way to this capital!
May you never be reduced to greater straits in
your profession than you now experience in finding
provender for yourselves and forage for your horses
in this uncommony cold and inausl'icious season!
And may You never be compelled to face bate
~ more formidable than that before which you now
stand, which has already admitted you into the cit
adel and which is prepared to surrender at dIscre-
ton.
DIR. Smedes was frequently interrupted by the
liveliest demonstrations of applause.
The young ladies then, under the leadership of
their musical instructor, Mr.. Hansen, sang Hail
Columbia with full chorus and we've responded to
by those members of the Light Infantry composing
the Harnett Glee Club, with 1.-The Red White and
Blue" and then returned to the attack with the
"Old North State;' and the lIarnett Glee singers
apparently being dubbed down gave up the contest
and, stated in last, gracefully "beat re-
treat "-discomfted, yet delighted, and bearing
away trophies Of beautiful and cheerful pictures
.l>oC I g.
by heavy rain which continued undated during the
remainder of their visits, and until they reached
their quarters But, like true soldiers, they
shrunk from it, but paid their compliments at the
residences Of VIM Boylan, Esq, and Hon. R. NJ.
Saunders, where, as before stated. they met with
royal welcome. They then returned to town tho
roughly drenched without, and not less so, we
ture to hope, within, by the "cup which cheers
and sometimes inebriates. They then dismissed for
the day.