The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-07-02

Masonic Celebration at Greenwood.

| mason1c Oelebrauon at Greenwood.
We had the pleasure on last Thursday, the
oath inst, of attending, the Masonic Celebra.
tion at Greenwood but as we publish in an
other column, an interesting communication
on the subject, we shall restrict ourselves to a
brief notice of the festival and our wayside ex.
periences.
The liberality of the G. d c. Rail Road in
granting excursion tickets, attracted quite a
large number of passengers to the Abbeville
Depot, on the morning of the celebration.
There was good representation from Lown.
desville, Calhoun's Mills, and Mt. Carmel and
| these with a full quota from Abbevile Village.
sufficed to fill to overfowing two passenger
cars. BY arrangement, this train was to con.
meet as usual with the Columbia train, and in
case that train could not accommodate us all,
we were to follow in it's wake to the point of
destination at Greenwood. The arrival at
Hodges and sight of the crowds there assem-
bled, and the thronged condition of the other
train, left US no doubt of the necessity of the
two trains, and we hence were allowed to re-
tain our seats until safely deposited ut Green
wood Station.
The ladies of the expedition and some of the
more fortunate ofthe gentlemen here availed
themselves ofsuch vehicles as presented them
selyes; whilst the larger part of the crowd,
including our humble self, being thrown upon
our natural resources commenced making long
pedestrian strides, in the direction Of the days
operations, through hot July sun, and over
dusty load, q distance Of about Of mile.
1t was our fortune to have rs co,npdgnon de
roydge an old stagcr in Summer campaigning
who gave us the benefit Of his experience, in
the way of sovereign specific against the
headache, occasions like the present, which
was no other than acct handkerchief worn in
the crown of the hat. This we take occasion
to recommend, as at least harmless. and less
likely to incommode than "n brick" which
frequently produces the malady in question.
A convenient stand erected in pleasant
grove, in the beautiful village of Greenwood
with number ofseats, disposed at suitable in
tervals, and which were filled on our arrival
with bright array of youth and beauty desig-
mated the scene Of the intellectual banquet;
whilst the savory odors Of the barbacued meats
in the distance, indicated that the physical
man was not to be neglected. Between and
10 o'clock A. NJ. very imposing procession of
the Fraternity was formed under the conduct of
Gen. w. W. Pcrryman, the Marshall of the
day, and marched to the stand, where tho ex-
e:eises were opened by an appropriate prayer
from the Rev.
The Rev. W. w. Hill, the President of the
day, after few well timed remarks, next in
troduced the Orator of tho occasion, David
&c -,
proceeded to deliver highly chaste elegant
and classical address in illustration of the prin.
ciples and objects of Masonry. Its cardinal
idea, was that of human progress, and the re-
lations of the Masonry to it. as greet subsi-
diary agent. The Address was worthy of the
high theme, and in maturity of thought, afflu-
ence of imagery, and rhetorical finish of style
did full justice to the occasion. The orator is
quite young man, but is ripe scholar nnd
has already won his need OIL. L. D. "from
German University. He is Grandson of the
great Historian, whom he seems to resemble in
his prominent intellectual features. Upon the
conclusion of the Address We were invited to
partakc of one of those bountful and we'll pre-
pared repasts, for which Greenwood is noted
The large company present, numbering be-
tween 1000 and 1900 persons did full justice to
the good things of the feast, and after some
time, pleasantly spent in social enjoyment.
quietly separated.
On our return, We in the company of
several others, spent few hours very agreea-
bly, at the hospitable mansion of Gen. C. w.
Hodges, who enlivened the company by some
very interesting sketches Of his early life. The
General tells an anccdote finely, and by his
genial manners diffuses sunshine upon all a.
round him. His life affords good illustrate ion
Of the policy of combining the s.ariter IN n,odo
with the tortiter in re. and we'll deserves to be
held up as model to the rising generation.