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

and would be happy to meet them all under eis
roof He would be almost vexed with himself were ne
to make premedtated speech at such q time: but
he would be pardoned for one OF two illusions sug'
gested by the occasion He saw before him the Will
mngton and Raleigh companies blended-their
banners floating side by side, and the blue uniform
touching the Oak City" green. lCheers. This
embematcal Of the kindly and traternal feelings
existing between the two sister towns and he hoped
it would be perpetual. Much cheer,ng.] He saw
also flag bearing the motto, Mecklen5urg, Goth
day Of May. 1875" and another Hag-that Of tho
stars and stripesthe same so CALAMITY and hero'-
cally carried and planted by Edward Cantwell now
in this City, on the rugged heights of the National
Bridge [Cheers These banners, this martial ar
ray, the ndomtable spirit of our people, gave as.
surance that liberty first born among the forests OF
Meckenburg, though it might perish elsewhere from
the earth, would never die within the confines OF
North Carolina: Much applause] ...
Her rocks Freedoms owers-these hills her home!
And when they stand on Times far future shore,
She still shall see her children DER them roam,
And up the rolling clouds her eagle soar.
Strong as OymPian Jove's, whose thunder bore
The old Titanic gods to earth shall rest
Her feet upon these mountains evermore!
The country was now apparently tranquil; but
the Southern people should fall into no letharglc
s|umbcr. The black cloud of geographical dscrim-
nation and sectional aggression still hung along the
Northern sky, tipped with the iightnngs of malice
and fanatcism. Let US watch those lurking, but
yet undeveloped fires. They threaten, but if we
true to ourselves, they could not destroy,
though they might harm US. But above all this, in
the serene atmosphere of the upper heavens, there
still shonc on with undiminshed splendor the great
star of the Federal Constitution, [cheers which,
like the Northern STAR" in its "true, fixed, and
resting quality, could have no fellow in the firma-
ment." Let us, said he, whatever may happen,
look to this great light of the consttuton-let us
walk by and insist that others shall walk by it also
and let US pray God that it may never 60 out
[Great- applause.
Mr. Holden repeated his qualification at seeing
his military elds-congratulated them upon the
manner in which they had marched thus far "in-
to the bowels of the land, )" and upon the irmness
and ga!lantry with which they had charged the bat
terics of grape" which had assailed them every
hand [Cheers He had great confidence in their
nerve and in their ability to "carry" whatever they
might be "charged" with; and if they FELL they
would fall "with their backs the ground and
their face to the foe." [Laughter.] But he had no
fears of that; yet if any one should fall he might
be assured that many comrades would be left to
bury him in some quiet, shady spot with the honors
of war. [Cheers. He trusted the Wilmington
Light Infantry would bear away with them pleasant
recoccons Of their VISIT and, daguerreotyped upon
each heart of theirs, the bright impressions of the
beautiful and virtuous women who adorned and
glatdened this little "Cty of Oaks" Prolonged
cheering
Mr. Holden then led them into his house where
they vigorously attacked and carried another bat
terry"
The last place visited was the residence of COL W.
H. and r. S. Tucker, Esq Lieut. Tucker let off anoth-
err Of his rollicking speeches, and the house being
thrown open to the corps, he and the COL took them
in hand By the time these gentlemen gave them
DIP land this between you and me- dear reader they
were somewhat worsted.
All returned to the Armory about o'clock after
somewhat eventful morning; and the Light In
fantry bent upon returning home, despite the efforts
to detain them, were escorted to the Central De.
pot at about o'clock by the Oak City Guards and
large number of other citizens, and at o'clock,
after many warm leave-takings, and amidst voiesof
musketry they left for their homes
CONCLUSION.
Having brought this heightened report to close,
the writer cannot but feel sensible of many short
comings As a reporter, he has apology to offer,
| inasmuch as he ought to have done his duty-as
| citizen and as member of the entertaining corps
he will be allowed to say that there many things
omitted which he could not legmatey have dwet
upon, and many particulars are doubtless overlook
| ed, by his not being Argus-eyed. A detail of the
manner in which the Oak City Guards treated their
| guests, would come with a bad grace from one of
themselves; and the particulars of the receptions
bv private citizens would be obviously equally en-
barrassng. AS simple chronicer, he say that
| our Wilmington Friends made no complaints and
the Oak City Guards feel more than they can say.
They have special thanks and general thanks to Of
! fer which will doubtless be rendered in due time
The writer takes the liberty of publicly returning
the thanks of at least the committee of arrange.
ments to those ladies who so willingly and tasteful
! Nv decorated the dining saloon; to Mrs. Ruffin
Tucker for her beautiful decorations the targets
to Messrs> Holden and Wilson for their beautiful
specimen G printing gratuitously supplied, and to
the host Of others who assisted by their efforts.
| OF the gentlemen composing the Wilmington
Light Infantry the reporter has to say that he has
now seen them at home and abroad, on the public
parade and in the social circle, and the estimate he
formed Of them twelve months ago has been more
than jnstlied-th they soldiers and gentlemen,
every inch of them.
We have heretofore spoken If the Coruet Band
and its polished and accomplished leader. In word
they obliging civil and respectable gentlemen,
! and finished musicians.
We are happy to learn from the Wilmington pa
pers that the Light Infantry arrived safely at home
! on lnhrSday morning, expressing themselves well
pleased with their visit. Want of room prevents US
from giving extracts from the Wilmington papers
to-day.
ANNUAL ExAMINATIoN.-We are requested to state,
and take pleasure in doing So the Rev. C. Il. Wiley
will deliver an Address before the students of VIII
son Academy and Female Seminary on the 22d, the
last day of the annual examination, which will com
mence on the 18th instant.
y These institutions are now in charge Of D. S