Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1857-11-04

before the remnant of that "raw militia he had |
there SO signally defeated From that day the ter
of British arms had ceased in North-Carolina.
He complained neglect of historians just
to the militia of n Carolina He combated the SLAM
der that they ngloriousy fed Guilford. He showed
that they there bore the brunt Of the fight anpro
tected save by rail fence, and almost wholly un
supported 1t was true they did fly: but it was
when no human power. such as they possessed, |
could stand and where they stood there left they
their plies of dead, Such, he hoped was the stuff
of which the North Carolina militia of the present
day composed. He knew there could be no de.
teroration. The descendants of all those men had
not fled from the State. The same blood flows in
the veins of many of those before him. Nor were
the achievements of North Carolina militia confcd
te their own State. Since the day of Guford, every
battlefield. north, SOUTH east and west, has been
blcachedby their bones. Mr. Nash again depreca-
ted Federal standing armies. lie wanted to see n.
couraged the formation of volunteer companies, and
through them the erection of immense defensive
standing armies. He was in favor of an appropra-
ton by the Legislature to enable the volunteer com
panies Of the State to together, that the people
might see what they were lie continued at some
length and concluded by again welcoming the COM
panes in the name of the Orange Guards the peo.
pie of Hillsborough and The entire county.
Mr. NaSh's speech was appropriate and wel-tmed,
eloquently delivered, and elected frequent and
hearty applause.
Edward Cantwell Esq, responded behalf of
the invited companies
Grounds where to be contended for, valuable
silver cup presented by the Orange Guards. The
companies had separate targets The distance
sixty yards the best avarage of three shots to be
the winner.
The result of the firing may be summed up as
follows:
The best avarage, Private W. H. Laughter,
of the Oak City Guards, 3 5-24 inch.
Second best, Private W. j. Frecland,
Orange Guards, Al
Third best, Private Mcndenhall, Whining
ton Light Infantry, 6"
The best single shot was made by Mr. Lans Inter-
The second best avarage in the Oak-Cty Guards,
by Private j. IT, Williamson 4; in the Orange Guards
Private j. Turner.
The Reporter has mislaid a more detailed state
ment of the shooting. Taken a whole the shoot.
ing excellent 1t is no more than justice say
that the Wilmington Light Infantry, though not the
winners fully sustained their reputation. The av.
arage Of all their shots. and the proportios that
struck the target would compare favorably with
those of their competitors. Of the Orange Guards
may say that they are by means Indifferent
markSmen. Their target completely ridded
and, will have been seen they came retain
ing their prize. But we cannot but exult in the
success of favorite Oak-City Guards. They
have never met with inglorious defeat; but always
give a respectable account of themselves. At Will
mington they had the honor of the best single shot,
and lost the golden medal by but fraction Their
victory i'm their late contest is the glorious
| when remember the triumphs of the Whining
ton company their Fayetteville and Raleigh
! competitors in May last. The Oak City Guards
have cropped those 'budding honors" to make gar
land for their head. But would do great injustice to
them and to the Orange Guards did seem to in.
innate on heir part regret even, at the success OF
| their Raleigh brothers We know them well, and
believe them to be too spirited ard gallant for that.
! And We must add that there is exutation here,
beyond what is becoming and natural.
At the conclusion OF the target practice, the COM
panics returned to town.
The presentation Of the prize took place in front
! Of the Courthouse, and witnessed by large
concourse of people. Very few ladies were present
! "a fact which somewhat surprised us.
| In presenting the prize, Paul G. Cameron, Esq,
| acknowledged the agreeable duty imposed upon him.
| Orange, he sad unpretendng and modest in
herself but she rich in those recollections which
made her dear to the hearts of the sons of North
Carolina. He took retrospect of the Revoutona-
ry war, and dweit upon the part the county of Or
ange took in it. He complained of the SouhS neg
! lect Of her great men. He felt the truth of this.
when one occasion he stood upon Bunker Hill
and saw the contrast there presented. Yorktown
had name, but no stone told OF the great Wash
ington's achievements there. And the great men
of Orange in these days, sleep quietly beneath the
sod with nothing mark the spot. He dwelt upon
the claims of those men, and he alluded, in that
connection to those sent out as armies of educated
gentlemen" from the University, to illuminate the
world lie concluded by colnplimenting Mr. Laugh
ter for his skill in marksma nShp; gracefully alluded
to his triumphant return to the "lovey City Of
Oaks" and to the ladies there ready to crown him
with myrtle. In your future course through life, he
said, addressing MIR. L., aim well, aim high aim at
the centre-be true to your line of duty-onward,
upward-and let your march ever be to the music
Of the Union"
At the conclusion of his address, Mr. Cameron
va enthusiastically cheered.
Mr. Laughter gracefully bowed his acknowledge
ments and retired. The companies then dismissed
for dinner.
The dinner took place at Maj. Howerton's Hotel
To say it excellent would be but saying little
The variety displayed the style in which the dis
play was made, and the quality Of the viands SCI
| out, did great credit not merely to the ability o
friend Howerton a caterer but also to the resour
Of the county, and the liberaty Of the Orange
Guards And need we say the guests appreciated
all this, and did ample justice to the fare?
We noticed at the table several Of the most inf1u
ential and publc-spirited gentlemen of the neigh
borhood, all of whom, as we learn, take active
part in the welfare of the Company and are Honora
~ Members of it.
Without going farther into this matter, may
say that the dinner passed off well, and that til,
cheer good and reflected credit upon all con
, cerned.
Tine following were the toasts prepared for tn
occasion:
/. George Washngton-tbe Father of his Country, tn
Father of Lberty-May hearts throb when
shall cease to remember and tongues become pase
when shall fail to praise the greatest the wisest
the best of mankind. ~. .-.f.. -.. ...
3 THE Constitution and the LniOn-One and insepers
ble-May they remain so.
s. North Cdr0iind-The first State TO declare Indepeu
dencemay she prove the last desert her principles
Upon her soil the first battle Of the Revolution fought