Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1866-01-10

TnElR STn ANNUAL FESTIVAL.
The worthy old fathers and msthers. to-
gethss With their sons and daughtsrs-sach
- had The practical good ssnss, o. good
luck, - the ease may b, 10 settle down in
Scott county some twenty i've years ago
OF more, met 1t the Psnnsylvania House
last evening, ~ il 10 their custom annually
TO do. They met TO have good visit, to
revive the "reminiscences Of their early ss-
periencs in pioneering, and 70 confer to-
gether upon the abundant prosperity that
has followed in their footsteps.
The meeting was organised at IN early
hour with the usual ceremonies-transfer Of
the Presidsntial insignia-the cans-and
appropriate Inaugural remarks BY James
McCosh, Esq the incoming President.-
Then came tho annual address BY the Rev.
Mr.. Hitchcock, Of Moline, formerly resi-
dent pastor Of The Congregational Church
in this city. which contained many appro-
pirate illusions highly fiattering to the au-
dience.
On motion Of Judge Grant, the Secretary
WAS directed 70 isvite Dr.. Sutherland, who
in early times. vas highly esteemed resi-
dent Of this county, and now Of Maryland,
to deliver the next annual address.
The Judge also moved the appointment Of
committee Of FIVE, whose especial duty it
shall be - furnish biographical sketches Of
the Pioneer dead Of 1865, which was adopt
ed. Committee-Judge Grant, Chas. Ed
ridge, DR.. Barrows, James Thorington and
Enoch Mead.
Supper being announced, the party was
soon seated around the luxuriously spread
table Of mine hosts of the Pennsylvania
House, who had evidently spared neither
labor or money to make that part of the
exercise leading feature. Every delicacy
Of the market was served up in abundance,
and in 4 manner most creditable, to which
ample justice was done by the numerous
guests.
Supper over, the Pioneers returned to the
parlors, where the regular toasts were read
and responded to ~ follows
lst. Warrington. name becomes more
and more dear to every American citizen
- years roll around, and will 60 down to
the latest generations with the most pro-
found reverence
I'd. Scott County.-Our Home; its To-
cality, fertility Of soil, commercial facili
lies. and the energy and perseverance Of
its citizens, make it rank second to none
in the State.
Response BY Judge Grant IS follows:
Nh. President Home is the resting
place Of our bodies in this life, and our
souls in the life hereafter. Around its %
cred ra@e cling the fondest memories Of
childhood, the warmest afft ctions Of man.
hood, and the sweetest remcmbrances If old
age. On earth it is the abiding place Of
the worlds greatest joys, AID in the other
world it is the paradise.
Scott county is our home. The accident
of birth has not hr ought Us here. The de.
.iberate judgment Of manhood has selected
this $50. Cor the abode where our lives are
to bc employed in usefulness and honor,
and where our old age shall find refuge, .
haven Of rest, when the storms close around
us, and we abandon the active pursuits
which brought US to prairie land.
Here We have erected our affairs and our
tiresides. and to night W meet to renew our
dovotions to the divinity Of home, and con-
sccrate anew our household gods of affec
ton and friendship; to weep over the sor-
rows Of the past, and to rejoice in the bright
prospects of the short future that is left to
ua.
Whether the selection of Ills home of
our adoption was the result Of Judgment
matured by reason end reflection, or the
stern mandate Of adversely and necessity,
We find ourselves located 'in green pas
lures, beside the still waters, our cup run.
meth over, and surely goodness and mercy
shall follow US, oil the days Of our life.'
The great river, the Father o. Waters, is
ever the delight Of our eyes; the rolling
hills and gentle slopes which crown its
banks. present to our delighted intellects
ever varying scenes of beauty and Of
usefulness.
The fertile Wales Of Scott county contain
every variety Of soil, which intelligent in
dustry can desire. Its different productions
have given to it an honorcd name, in the
commerce Of civilized man. Certain spe.
,ial crops are produced in Scott county in
quantity and quality, nowhore equalled, in
this great valley. There is no cereal. in the
long list Of food, ,usefu! to man or beast, " hich
can be grown in climate Of this latitude,
that does not, in the rich soil Of Scott coun-
ty, yield, to the husbandman, an abundant
return for his Labor.
The apple and the vine, two most useful
fruits Of the earth, here find . congenial
home.
Scott county is, by the great river, in the
centre Of the great valley; the waters and
the rail carry its population and products.
with speed, and cheaply, to oil parts Of the
world.
In geographical extent this county is the
smallest in the State. In population and
productions it is, for its area, much the
lar gest in the State. The Editor of the
great farm paper Of the West, on visit to
it, estimates that Scott county in 1866,
produced . million Of bushels each Of on
ions and potatoes. We know that for
years, it has produced half that quantity Of
barley and oats, eight hundred bushels of
W0SoS0 ouu wv WLltOO8 W OV8uSl0 Ou
corn.
What has made all this growth, (ths ad-
miration and wonder Of the country,) from
the rich land Of Scott county. but the sner-
" and perseverance Of ito inhabitants?
On au occasion like this, aud in response
to such sentiment, some scruples Of hy-
perbole might DO tolerated, but the reality
is grand enough for the present hour, and
the present company.
That ''snergy and perseverance," which
has made Scott County what it is, shall We
be content, shall We pause and lay ,wn
to rest, until it 10 made, what it should 10
1t is now second to none in the State: It
10 not thirty years old: 1t has not reached
the meridian Of mans life The same labors.
which have made our home what it is,
which have made generous soil yield pro.
ducts the wonder Of our day. can adorn,
cultivate, improve and develope new forms
Of beauty, in the never ending variety Of
hill and vale which surrounds ma until