Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-10-06
Sixteenth Anniye rsary.

On Thursday last, the goth day Of Sep
TENDER, the Sons Of Temperance of Rich
mond, Va, Joined by several other Divisions
in the State, celebrated the 10th Anniversary
OF our beloved Order. On the Goth day of
September, 1912, a few noble spirits founded
this Order in the City Of New York. 1t soon
spread all over the country. There was
scarcely a city, town or neighborhhod in all
the land, where its banner, inscribed with
love, Purity and Fidelity y" Temper
ancc, Benevolence and Brotherly Love"-was
not raised. The little seed then sowl. grew
to be a great tree, and hundreds of thous-
ands took refuge under It's sheltering boughs.
No human institution ever accomplished the
amount of good performed by this. Thous-
Rnds were reclaimed who lived and died sober
menan christians, and have gone to heaven;
and hundreds Of thousands Of the youth of
the land, who had the pure principles of total
abstinence instilled into their minds through
the influence Of this Order, have been saved
from the thraldom and degradation which
perhaps awaited them, had they not here
been instructed and warned of its baleful
consequences.
And now, after sixteen years hard labor
after passing through storm and sunshine
Successes and rcverscs-encouragemcnts and
disasters-our Virginia brethren met to-
gether to celebrate the sixteenth anniversary
Of the Order. We give the following ac-
count as given by a correspondent of the
Petersburg Express, (Which always gives the
earliest news about everything not doubling
that our readers will be as we'll pleased to
peruse it as We have been:
From an early hour this forenoon enthusi-
astic preparations for the reception of the
Banner y and accompanying Divisions from
Petersburg, and the general celebration Of
the 10th anniversary were manifest through
out the city, and towards eleven and twelve
o'clock the streets were alive with ladies and
children, out to see the demonstration. Be-
tween twelve and one, various Divisions in
full regalia, with banners streaming with
ribbons, and stats decorated with evergreen
devices, might have been observed passing
s%eyerally through different streets, en- route
for the rendezvous, the Hall of the Spring
field Division, on Union Hill.
After some essential preliminaries, the pro-
cession formed at half past one o'clock, and
proceeded to meet .heir Cockade visitants,
who were expected Uid Manchester, under
tLe escort Of the two furnishing divisions of
that busy and very beautiful village. The
Armory Band attended and made the air mu-
steal while marching through the streets
The procession crossed Mayo's Bridge, and
halted at the foot of the Main street, lust as
the expected guests appeared in sight, stream
ing over the hill, with their flashing banners
and white regalias, and the delightful music
of the fine Norfolk band in attendance float
ing down in whispers.
The special train, consisting of five coach
es, from Petersburg, arrived at the Manches-
ter station at a quarter to two o'clock, with
the Petersburg Division, the Centre" OF
Ettricks and triumphant" of Matoaca,
numbering in all, three hundred. The two
Manchester orders were in waiting, and greet
ed them cordially. They proceeded imme
diately forward, and were met at the above
mentioned spot, by the Richmond Divisions,
which extended them the most hospitable
welcome. Then with a lively air from the
Norfolk Band, the procession, consisting o.
atleast six hundred members, and extending
more than a quarter of a mile in length
marched into the city.
The line Of march was taken up Pear
street to Main, up Main to 9th, thence t.
Franklin, Adams, Grace, Second and BroaC
streets, and down Broad to the African
Church. The streets every where were lineC
with people, the far greater proportion being
ladies, but there seemed to be no disparity
of enthusiasm and admiration evidenced OF
any side as the beautiful spectacle moved on
No doubt many a hayward soul took resolu
ton at the sight, many an inward sigh wa
felt and given TO fond afflicted memory, man,
n brilliant smile and leaping heart, and per
haps many grateful and joyful tears found
m0mentary freedom among the hundreds VIII,
thronged the various avenues and looked on
Arrived at the African church, the "colt
water army entered, to be greeted, of course
with the ever approving smiles of the seem
ingly omnipresent ladies'. The building wa
crowded to its utmost capacity.
The ceremonies of the day were inaugura
ted with music, followed by an impressiv
prayer from the Rev. Chaplain. The Cadets
a promising and numerous section, were the
presented with an elegant banner from tn
ladies Of Richmond.
The Anniversary address by the Rev. MI
Sturdiyant, Of the VI. +. Church, succeeded
and proved highly entertaining. | have no
however, time to send a full sketch. Tn
Rev. T.. NJ. Peterson, Of the Clay street Char
el, Richmond, also delivered one Of the mo;
pleasing and eloquent addresses it has eve
been my pleasure to hear. The most raptl
rous applause resounded through the bull
ing at the close of each address.
The procession was now reformed, marc
ed up Broad street, to 18th, then to Capt.
street, along which to Governor, down
Franklin, then to 14th, and Main, and dow
Main to the Military Hall, over the first mo
kct house.
In this spacious hall the entire mass S
down to a splendid dinner. The richie
viands comprising every variety of flesh, Fl
and fowl the market brings together, and {
cry imaginable description Of bread, pastr
preserves, fruits, cakes, etc, all Of viii
were temptingly spread upon seven bro
tables measuring in length eighty feet eaC
Time compels me to abridge my report.
With this magnificent festival closed the C
ebration. There were speeches and chars
teristic sentiments towards the close, |
these are such natural consequences OF
nivcrsary dinners that they need not turtl
be mentioned. The dinner was prepared
Mr. y. Walker, one Of the frmest pillars
the Temperance cause, and to his honor
il said, his liberality on this occasion Is W
thy Of the highest commentator.
- ...., ,hsnrya that no nlV