The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-07-02
Iron TIE INDEPENDENT PRESS.
The Twenty-Fourth of June.


of Masons all over the world, and ns in the Ro.
man calender, this day is assigned to Saint
John Baptist, their patron Saint, hence they
celebrate this day with great aud imposing GER
emonies, peculiar to the order. BY invitation,
was induced to 60 to Greenwood, to witness
this celebration and now, take great pleasure
IN relating to you, the impressions the ceremo-
MES and sights Of this day had upon me. My
hrst impression and feelings and regrets were,
on seeing 80 much talent and moral worth Fl H.
ing their ranks, that was not Mason, and
therefore my remarks are not made under the
influence of the craft
Greenwood was a new place to me: but
could not help being very highly pleased with
its picturesque scenery, its luxuriant and yer.
dant woods, its comfortable houses and ornate
cottages; with the affabiIity of its inhabitants
and their largely liberal hospitality extended
equally to all present. Indeed the managers
| seemed to vie with each other who should sur.
pass in politeness. in courtesy, and in kindness
in supplying the wants and anticipating tho
| comfort Of every one.
The speakers stand wns judiciousy placed
III the middle of beautiful grove Of majestic
forest trees, with an abundance Of seats for all,
and to spnrc-n very great com fort in so hot u
day and the wants tor the inner man were
equally bountifully supplied. The refresh.
ments were not only plentiful but of the best
kind, and even dainties were provided, especial
ly for the fair sex. Thus supplied by mans
providence, and surrounded on oil sides, by a
nature arraying itself in oil the beauties Of al-
most poetical fiction, rncthought was partici.
patng in n most fairy scene.
This impression d id not stop here, for will,
the eye Of ,lispassionate physiologist, could
not hut be gratified while minutely examining
| the men, women and children, constituting this
crowd Of humanity. They had assembled here
from the country around, embraced within
circle that had, at least radius Of thirty
miles; and here behcld the female "human
face divine" so captivating, that almost for.
! got was old man; but intellectual and
| physical beauty commingled with the expression
of sweetness, smiablity and virtue in woman,
has always had the same enchanting charm
over my feelings, and on this OCCASION was
! Overpowered. II was most agreeable sur
prise, and only regretted that could not ex-
claim 81 too, am painter" and could have
done ample justice to a full-length likeness of
the grace and beauty that Aoated around me
like taslmau.
The mankind was indeed not inferior in it's
manliness and department. The Psychologist
IN beholding so many well-builtmen beaming
with intelligence. could only conclude that tho
human race was improving. saw no deform-
ed body or limb; this is rather extraordinary
in an nssernblage of some $500 individuals, at
least emanating and representing every class
and rank of our society.
The ceremony was imposing always s,
and after all appropriate PRAYER, and hymn
being sang befitting the occasion, the principal
officer introduced, to the painting audience, the
Orator for the day. This was announced to be
Mr. Ramsay, Of Charleston, a man whose
appearance alone commanded respect and at
tention. The modest and dignified manner
with which he approached his subject, was
highly gratifying to his hearers. He was,
however, short though very impressive in his
discourse; and he was right to throw tho bur-
den of the only Eulogy Chat could be passed,
at this time, by himsef;on his brethren) on the
high and pure character that every Mason did
and should himself sustain.
As n.lookcr-on, could not help perceiving
the bad effect the constant going out and. COM
ing in of the Masons. regardless, all the while,
OF the interruption it produced on their elo.
quent Orator; this inconsiderate interruption
and this leaving and resuming of their seats.
like as many needless, restless, thirsty boys, l
have no doubt, very materially dampened the
| 6nirita and cco1o6 ha tor oc a.
Speaker. am sure this restlessness and heed
lessness of the craft must have annoyed him
more than the excessive heat of the day. though
very oppressive. The improperly of this be-
lavior wns striking to me and there FORE
hope that word to the wise is sufficient. All
however, went on merrily and cheerfully and
everybody appeared highly gratifed with the
entertainment, and satisfied with. himself and
bis neighbor.
The numerous candidates for our next Lepis.
lature had here q fine opportunity of shaking
hands with their respective friends, pass some
jokes and jests with the sovereign people, ex.
temporize some witty speeches, and show their
galantry to the ladies, SO fully worthy of their
alteration. BY the way. word, here some
|
to me, Mr.. Editor, to be proper for the present
occasion. was struck at what seemed to be a
necessity pressing upon the candidates for the
Legislature, who were present They were
continually busy in shaking every body's hand
and making new acquaintances. This seemed
rather strange to me. that in q country where
all power resides with the people as unity, it
is unnatural, to cay the least, that the man the
people select to make their laws should be so
obscure and unknown to their fellow citizens,
ss to have to trudge about over the country
tanning and courtipg and begging the people
to clothe them with the power of law.maker;
and the more this is done the more certain the
election becomes. Such state of things ought
10 be discoun tenanced and considered disrepu
table among a highminded and free people IKE
the Americans. II. there need be any begging.
any petition ing, it ought to be on the eide Of
| the peop le to induce q capuble honorable and