Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1858-12-10


two hours in passing given point The num-
!. Der ~ The Fanks Was sariously estimated at
iFon hye thons nd, the first being nearest The
actual number. The number of persons along
The line OF ibe procession, on the sidewalks,
coula not, have been less than $4,000. AT
every available point where The procession was
to pass. dense crowds had collected, and wher-
ever there was belcony or window, gfoub
OF Indies might be seen, awaiting patiently the
passing Of the pagesnt--the fair ones seeniur-
" Us little affected by the ehila atmosphere as
their mofe stalwart lords. Every one seemed
happy and in excellent spirits, and, notwith-
standing the antavoraLle weather and lowering
skies, the display was an eminent success, re-
hecting credit upon shose who originated and
executed tac plan. The eproces,ion passed over
tie prescribed route, aud ut enc o'clock re-.
turned TO .he Dmqnesuo depot, which had been
prepared f9r the Grafton aud other exercises.
Around tue siaud, which was erected about
midway Of the building, were gathered women
and meu III thousands. A sea of human faces
vas spread out before the speakers The great
extent OF the building, and the sounding claug
OF many footsteps upon The platforms, rendered
II inpnssihie tor buu4n voices to be beard al
distance greater than few feet from where the
speakers stood
Tue oficers Of tic day, number of distin-
gulshed strangers, aud iuglied guests took their
position upon the stand
The vast assemii4ge chcercd, and then lis
tened with eager silence, IS tie slsered head
OF the venerable president Of tie day. Hon
NIiilam wilkins, rose before their view
More than threefourths of ihe events of the
century which has passed since tue surrender of
Fort Dnqnesne, haze been conteuporaneous with
his lifetime. Before him stood hundreds whom
he had known in childhood, in youth, ia n,atI-
hood--nay, even III the autumn of tdeir days.
tor around him we observed many whose heads
were Ike his own siVered with honorable
years What memories OF the past must thrill
through the patrlareLs Of the iaud on days ike
tbs. WHAT present pleasure to the hearts of
such men as Judge Wilkins, General Marble,
alid Or hergoo, TO regard as they did that day
the success aud happluess of generation Of
peap!eydxpo look upon ibem With the respectful
veneratfm of children to father
In few brief and appropriate remarks. |
Juige wilkins referred 10 the complete succes,
OF tie celebration, and spoke u brief bu; elo- I
queut terms Of the o:casiou which bad brough,
tog ather IN our city SO large an assembaee of I
people.
A snort aud eloquent prayer was then ad-
dressed to the great Father of all by the ven I
cradle Df. Francis Heron, of the FIRST Pres
by'erIaa church, one OF the oldest clergyman
ia the West.
Judge Wilkins thea introduced Le Hon.
q andrew W. LOOMS, the orator of the day
Dir. j-oolnis occupied about forty five nnuics in
ibe delivery q his address. Those Who were
SO fortunate IS % 90 located near the speaker
70 hear what he said, speak of his oratiou as
most n.asteFly and eloquent effort.
We greatly regretted that Governor Packer
;oulG not baye been present at the celebration
IT he hun1fed,l birSh-&sy Of the second CITY
"a The Sra.e, the governmental atf,irs Of which
he 50 wisely directs.
Letters were read from Senator Douglas,
Governor Packer, and otbers, which we regret
'uf want "f space will not allow Us to publish
o-day.