Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-12-05

sborsl sh T Edasr Of = wslde tes says !;
! SWssssaS6ed nxlihx xbout 13S'clo6x amid the
aroarng Of cannon and the sounds of Martial Music.
The procession which had been formed was very
long aud had just drawn up in front Of the Court
House. Lieut.. J. Daniel was first Marshal Of the
j, day, Dr.. ". H. Hl, W. G. &rys ana W. ~ Eau,
cvts, assistants Al they Ind raraded through the
principal streets, they were dsbanded, and were
aasasmbled with of oe1utIs
full ladies' Of our County in the Court House. The
meeting was organized by the 1sppoint'sent q DR..
NJ Ponton President, Mr.. J. H. Fenner, DR.. u. A.
Wilcox, end Mr.. Isaac Fsulcon, Vice Presidents.
Mr.. j. B. Bachelor led the van in the speeches
made on the occasion, and WAS followed by Mr.. An.
drew Congland, DIR. M. A. Wilcox. and the Rev.
Thos. G. Lowe, and as they oil we'll known to
readers it s useless to say that their speeches
were very interesting and appropriate. Mr.: EDWARD
Congland, being called upon, replied in few very
interesting remarks, and being one VI the committee
on invitation read the following letters from gentle
requested to deliver the Grafton Of the occasion
77r. '.41H RALElcH, Nov, y2lst. 1857.
To the COMMITTEES Of Ineitation DC:
GENgLENEN: have received your invitation to
be present at the Centenary celebration OF the in
corporation Of the ancient borough Of Halifax:
regret most sincerely the necessity which con.
strains my absence and forbids ME the pleasure of
meeting my fellow citizens of my native county, on
the interesting occasion.
There no spot in the State which deserves to be
more halowed, for its revolutionary "reminiscences,
than Halifax town..
Bolder counsels may have been earlier organized
in one other County but q more ardent or united
patriotic feeling where in the State, earlier
or more strongly felt, more freely and fervently
declared than in the County of Halifax and the
town Of Halifax the head quarters of that feel
ing and expression. -..r.
From the beginning of the struggle to it's close,
the County place for British oyalsts. 80
The spirit of Independence diffused itself speedily
among all classes and both sexes; but nowhere
was it more brilliantly exhibited than among the
women; and Earl Corvallis honored> not more
his high fame, than he did the purity of their
character, when, your town, he shed the
blood Of bis own men in arms in defence Of their
virtue
Very after its corporate being it became cele
brated for the reinment and hospitality Of its citizens,
and for its rapid growth and prosperity Its central
position and security against interruption, and the
united sentiment Of that portion Of the colony,
d,red It a highly fit place for the convention of
patriotic people assembled to declare and publish the
the great charter Of their liberties.
The Constitution with the Bill of Rights part
which was ushered into being at Halifax on
the 18th day Of December, l776, is a work of the
highest merit, synopsis Of the true fundamental
principles of conservative republican government.
As fabric Of we'll prolnrtioned parts and just SYM
metry, furnishing al once barrier against the law
less power of the few and the lawless centiousness
freedom and ample security TO ALL it is an admirable
production. And if we consider the times in which
it framed it is. q model of practical wisdom
in Government, adapted equally for peace and war,
for the future and present. alone sufficient to endear
to freemen the memory Of the spot which il was
conceived and presented to the world. The tonn Of
HnHfaE that spot. must alscays Be lOced pdce
in the memory Of North Carolina.
Among the most distinguished of the distinguish
ed champions who drew their swords in defence of
that constitution, during the hours of it's pers,
Gen. Dave, man who then BY his brilliant achie-
vements in the field and afterwards by his useful
and efficient services in the public councils. has ador
ned the history of the State few others have
done. At the close of the he found a wife among
those charming wing ladies, who abounded in your
vicinity, and settled in your town. where for more
than twenty years he the chief Of the distinguish
ed Of the place. and its able and faithful
preventative in the Legislature of the State for many
years, ne was ever without rival in his influence
and eloquence.
As a just tribute to his eminent character allow
me to offer for the occasion, -
The memory IF Gen. VIM. r. Daris-As Pa.
trot, Soldier Statesman aud Orator, his fame is writ.
ten the brightest pages Of our history, and is
among the richest treasures Of the State. p =
am gentlemen, with sentiments Of high regard,
Very truly yours,
B. F. MOORE.