The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-07-14
For the Lancaster Ledger.

Being invited by the Trustees of White
Plains Academy in Chesterfield District to
deliver an address on the occasion of the
celebration of the anniversary Of the ith OF
July l776; and being requested by the
Principals Of the Institution TO communi.
cate to the Lancaster Ledge" the proceed.
ings and transactions of the 2n6 INST, am
willing and DESTROYS that so interesting an
occasion, attended by so large and rcspecta.
bic an assembly, at this new and flourishing
institution, established for the good pu,-
poses of educating the youth as well of our
own, rs of Chesterfield District, should have
publication in the columns of the I.ancas.
Ter Ledger.
The assembly, in attendance, was large
and computed the numbe. SIX or eight hun;
dred of every age and description. The
proceedings of the day commchced at IL
o'clock. The Citizens, at the beating OF
the drum, were paraded by command OF
Major Lourie and fell into rank in the front,
after which the students about 70 in nun.
Der, then the Orator and Reader of tho
Declaration in tho rear. The extended line
was marched up to within n few PAGES and
in from, of the Academy-then haliing, and
opening on either side, the rear passed on
in martial order into the neat and newly
erected building go feet In length and 80
in breadth) until the house was filled to
overfowing.
After the house had come TO order, the
Rev, Mr., Crockett arose. and sung n hymn
in which he was. joined by large portion
of the assembly. lie then offered up "a
suitable prayer of praise and Thanksgiving
to Almighty God for his manifold mercies
and loving kindness TO the people of these
United States in the days of the Revolu-
tion, and for the great and unspeakpble BEN
efts, both civil and religions, which we now
so richly enjoy. Then followed Music on
Flute and Piano, which made sweet, soft
and thrilling melody delghtng and ami
mating both speakers and hearers and at
the same time giving tone and variety TO
performance. Mr.. Ivin', who is quite n
promising young man, then rose and read
in plain and easy manner and in an anima.
ting and somewhat elevated tone of voice
the Declaration Of Independence. hfler
a sweet song of music had been performed
ns 1t were, TO sanction and confirm the mag.
unanimous conduct of on; forefathcrs, the
author of this feeble narrative proceeded to
speak for 81 or 40 minutes concerning that
memorable event Of the Ith of July l7T6-
the rise and progress Of orr imperial Re.
pubIIc-its present prosperous condition
and the eXceilcncies of knowledge acquired
from "A study of the Arts and Sciences.
Mr. EngliS, of Cheraw was then introriu-
ccd, who, being previously invited TO dcIiv.
or an address, expressed himself at u loss
10 know on " hat subject it was intended,
that he should speak But after making Il
short apology, beng full of subject matter,
he launched out in n middle course between
war and rcace-dwelIing both upon tho
occasion of the Declaration orlndcpcndcnre
and The great advantages and happiness to
be realized from a study of the Arts and
Scences. And with n Sauari,er an B3dJ II
it Is. proper and right that the Ith of July
should be annually celebrated in commcm-
"raiion Of that gloriouS cent that the pros
e"t and future generations, remamberin. it,
might be fired with Ike zeal, firnncss aud
courage to foster, protect and perpetratc our
'rce institutions unimp.,ired, but also ex-
hibi'ed IN clear and convincing light the
superiority Of the Ltera,i in every poin. Of
view and that it is edscation alon, wbi,,h
can ut and prepare the citizen 70. n full dis
charge of every duty dcvolved upon him,
The Rev. Mr.. David then announced TO
the congregation, that Rev Mr. Crockett
would deliver Philosophical Grafton in the
afternoon, and politely invited all who were
present 10 dinner which was prepared for
them in several houses adjacent--to which
the assembly proceeded without any for
malties rs TO system or order, and there
partook of the bounties of the table 10 the
satisfaction of the inner man White
Plains presents a beautiful and elegant sit.
uat'on for an Academy. The houses are
'N~'"'l D"htt
in process of erection. The Academy il
pretty building, neatly furnished, ard
might accommodate some 100 students or
more. Will not this institution arouse the
good citizens Of orr District to consider
and reflect upon the importance of an ear
ly education; and enable them to give their
children fine education at reasonable
prices 10 !a!:ioa aaa boarding s: 80 efca f;
distance from home. But 70 return 10 our
visit at White Plains--blving 20 miles 10
ride over, We left at o'clock, ard conse-
quently cannot give the particulars Of the
evenings performances. But during our
stay the old and young and particularly the
ladies and gentlemen, as is usual on such
occasions, appeared to amuse aud aehjoY
themselves finely being agreeabIy .Accetn,
mOdated aSsemhlin0 too.,ha. n. .&eftsff.