The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-07-03
Masonic and Railroad Celebration a,
IowndeSville.

1owndeSville.
We had the pleasure Of attendins'a celebrn
ton at Lowndesville, on Wednesday, tho 9th
June, in which the Nnsons and the friends OF
the Savannah Valley Railroad, co.opernted in
giving zest to the occasion. Lowndesvile. as
isknown to most Of our readers, is situated
about 20 miles Northwest of ALbeville village,
and about miles from the Savannah river,
and is located on, the route of the coutempla-
ted Ruilroad. Situated in fertile country it is
noted for it's liberality and public spirit in
getting up entertainments of this kind aud
upon its wealthsana enlightened forest ght tho
friends of the'Talley Road rely for q strong
contribution to the success Of the great enter
prise. {,
"a At an early hour. the vehicles came rolling
in freivhted with youth and benuly-tl.e gay
maiden and the grave mntron-vigorous man.
hood aud sedate old age nli come to contrib
ute fair, share ofgood' looks and pleasant
smiles :t6 the general enjoyment and also n
full proportion of cntables to the Picnic fund
A: about half past ten o'clock, the Masonic
procession was formed under the command of
Col. H. III. IIarper, and proceeded to the
stand in pleasant grove. where an assembly
Of near 1000 persons awaited the commericc-
mcnt of the exercises. The procession was
quite an imposing one and represented the
hourishing lodges of Abbeville c. H., Calhouns
Mills, Lowndesvlle. Due West and Anderson.
After a few stirring. strains from the Lownde.-
ville Band, Mr. John Brownlce, the President
of the day, Introduced to the audience, the
Rev. 3. johnson, the Anniversary orator of
the Masonic fraternity, and the Chief Priest
Of the Hespcriau Chapter. at Abbevill6 c. II.
The address was one of the most able md elo-
quont.r that we have ever listened to. and freely
merited all the encomiums which it has receiv-
ed. ltwns very happy in its general concep.
ton and abounded in passages Of unequal:
: led beauty Of thousLtand expression. 1t pre-.
sented an interesting sketch Of the history of
the Order, and anseIsborate exposition of tho
great truths, which its symbols arc designed
toiilustrote,and to enforce. The .casils of oljec:
tors were answered;, andthe characterf1f the
Order triumphantly vindicnte1,. IA the liunti;
mnid Of virtue aud religion: Tho address
occupied about IN hour in it. delivery,
and was listened to with interest throughout.
Acopy has been solicited for publication.
Upon the conclusion of the address, BIr.
.John T. Sloan, the President Of the Savannah
Valley Railroad. was introduced to the meet
ing, and:siio proceeded in q speech Of great
practical force. to present statement of the
condition and prospects of that entorprize,
and to urge its claims upon the support of the
assembly. = lie was the owner, he said, of stock
.i9 six or seven railroads, yet this wns the only
;one l in which io had made an invsstment with
the expectation of realizing profit, in the
way Of dividends. II the Blue Ridge Road he
built and this he regarded as fixed fact. its
trade must seek this outlet. and roll in a rici,
tide along this line. So that apart from the
enhanced value, which it would give to prop.
,erty along the route. the Road itself would be
alucrntiye investment. The object at present,
Whseto raise $l50.ooo. which. Is with .the 4stocs
alreaay subscribed. would give $500. 900
,am9untsufa oient to grnde-th Road. !. And Ill
the ROad.wsrS once graded the I;eg;slattire
would not hesitats to guarantee zthe bonds o,
the Company. 10 an amount sufficient to com
plets, ,the work. To raise tho Stock required
Stockholders would be allowed to work ont the
whole, amount Of tfisir subscriptions. Upon
The people of LSwndesyille and vicinity, th.
success Of the esfsips depended. The pre-.
ent opportunity il Suffered to escape eould,neve,
be recalled. The Road from Ninesty.six, t.
AiRen would be bpils ard hsEtrade Of til.
great Northwest fsssser diverted from Til.
lines He himself at one time, ,sSns authorized
tSsubserbs for the msfeIsants 81 CIsrleston
syssg dollar Of Stock Which might be neess
sary e, build TINT branch and The failure q
this Enterprise must lead to the completion o
thatsoad With these considerations be urcet
upon ths su.aemb'y the necesity Of pronp
and ehirieps action. "a
~. sltap was followed by Col, J. FaMar
shaltsad q. A. Jones, Syzq.sin yeIy s,able sapt
effective sDeeches Indicating much sxsssrct
,aud presenting an eistsbrats array. of facts
df4wn from the experiences Of raiIrodds Il
gsRAral. and especially FROM that OF the Green
ylllsand colembis Railroad. e.housht tlsi
tho efforts Of both d tbess. sebtIsmsfi; ,wsre
|1pseuibAy berry: snd they sesrt1iply badi
their, eject a,can tte auaisnes. - th,
scloss p sthsir shss ihsy xssg ,fsssesll
largely lh1id seriptf6 6asfsHas 'sitioaa
lh tIs validity .
ypfofi}s is! bo real
s5.E 8 b inn tie cqnelu
thss sabscstp ptioa NJ;
E3sksg ARS fxesa titDoo Snd S2o.e6i
essa ssYsaJisss vitis. .th,
~ issfs 90 ss 900 !. III. 3
~ % fsos toltsks pyasdsla,
n z. IS, IL :, ,,s1