Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-01-09

HousE Pioneer Settlers Asso'
ciasiOD.

or fBD-
HousE Pioneer Settlers Asso.
ciasiOD.
Notwithstanding tho extremely colo
weather Of last evening, . large number oi
the Young Pioneer Settlers and their in
vi.ed friends met ~ the German Theatre, to
celebrate their ninth annual fcstival. In
the absence Of the President Of the Assoc'a-
ton. who was prevented from being present
by the recent death Of his father. the meet
ing was called to order by the first Vice
President, Mr.. q. W. Campbell, who read
the order Of exercises, aad then introddcsd
Mr.. Wn. Hazletou, the orator Of the eve
ming, who delivered tbs following annual
address
Mr. President. Companions and Iri.nis
This. our ninth annual festival, brings "
together again in social reunion, to renew
the ties Of friendship and recall the events
Of the past.
These pleasant gathering landmark IN
our youthful history will be chronicled With
deeper feeling by US oil as the years 50
by, leaving the lines of care upon our brows
and the silver Of time upon our heads
As the Young Pioneer Settlers OF ScoSt
county, we know but little o. the trials AMI
diff ,ulties encountered by our fathers and
mothers, when they sought the western
banks of the mississippi for their homes.
We will not review their history, nor viii |
tire you with recital of the past scenes in
which We have taken part.
You are all familiar with the events Of
our former gatherings, and they cannot b
recorded other than among your choicest
memories. Since our last meeting the hand
Of time has been busy with events, aud
perhaps oil our paths have not been strewn
With uniformed roses, however this may BE-,
We can meet here tonight with brows un
clonded and spirits light.
As look upon this pleasant gathering
and recall the events Of tho past, there
comes feeling Of underlined sadness. Our
circle is not unbroken-the cold hand Of
death has been laid on two Of our mem
bers and, on occasions like this, We would
drop . silent tear to the memory OF Davis
and Killian, who were 50 suddenly
called to Join that caravan that
each shall take his seat in the silent courts
Of death. They GO, not like the smittsn slave
soourged to his dungeon, but like one Who
wraps the drspery Of his couch around him
and lies down to pleasant dreams. and -
The years go BY, and death shall select 9TH
ers from our now happy circle, let il bs our
solemn duty to return on occasions like this
and pluck laursls to adorn their b,ows.
Permit Us now word for the present.
although would fain linger and Gull the
flowers Of thought. To-day the worlds fu-
ture is ours, and We hear ths voices in the
air calling us to tho active duties Of life
We see all around us the works Of our faith
ere, the county has been reclaimed, and
made to contribute TO our wants. With .
population Of $4,000, il now ranks 6rst 10
the State.
The city bearing the name Of one Of The
earliest settlers, claims to be .he metropolis.
Its beautiful location, trade and river inter.
est, Its buildings. both public and private.
among which We find . magnificent Opera
House, the pride Of the city, and doubt not
in the West, and together with the restless
energy, public spirit and enterprise Of its
inhabitants, gives it the first place among
the cities Of the State. This is all the re-
sult of their labors We have different
duty. It is ours TO preserve these names
unsul!ied, without blot or stain on any Of
its fair pages. and to complete the work
they have begun.
The great ocean Of life lies broad before
~. and our barks rugged and freighted for
the voyage Yet We instinctivsly pause
for . moment. While something Of anxiety
fills eur hearts, for We know there is many
. storm to be weathered before we can
rsech that heaven of safety and rest, hut il
10 keep clear our lives Of duty, remember
ing that there is no excellence without
work, we NAV hope to eventually accom-
plish something that will make the world
better for our lives.
Let it be ours, and all tho care and trials
which may cluster around ", 10 keep our
eyes just as clear, lip just as firm, . step
just as steady. resolve just As strong to
live up to the teachings of that conscience
which hangs itself about the neck Of the
soul, and whose whisper, if unsmothsred, is
louder than the throbbinss of the oeeas's
heart Such are the men needed in every
government and just such men were
those who made the woods ring with the
frst stroke Of the axe; they established
for us a government that 10 % firm as a
rock. And when bswildered America, with
her torn A,g and broken charter. looked to
you TO guard the one ard restore the other,
you were foremost in tho ranks to preserve
the honors ws now enjoy, and By living up
10 those illustrious examples. NO honor
those whose names we bear.
Earth has grand thing. =
Her streams her peaks,
Her mountains, aud her bright oaecA
But when mans nobler nature speaks,
The grandeur Of her voices fade.
Cameron's band then called tho dancers
10 the floor, and right msrrily did they im
prove the time until half past eleven, when
Mine Herr Widemann gave tho signal fsl
supper. Forming in procession around
the hall - about seventy couples they
marched to the supper room wherc a mos,
acceptable rcpast was spread. An hour
application suficed to do it ample justice
The b,nd then favored the assemblage with
music, after which the master OF csrcmo
MES gave the following toas's:
REGULAR ToAsrs.
Our Annual Festival-A few hours il
which the excitement Of the present ane
| anxiety for the future is forgotten in kline
rseollscsions Of the past. May the kint
feelings which prevail here tonight eve
characterize our future gatherings.
Response BY II. A. Sturdevant.
The Old Settlers-They protected ~ il
childhood, directed Us in youth, and eve
loved 10 - their children. May eur fe0ti
| walls bs enlivcned BY their presence ss lon
as any OF them shall be permitted to rsmail
With 90.
Music-Auld Lang Sine.
Invited Guests-Ws take great pleasus
10 introducing you into our family circle
Nay tho many charms Of cur fair sisters ID
ducs you to remain With ~ BY morryta
them.
Responded to BY J. s. Drake, Esq.
Music - "Ths Girl Left Behind Ne.
Our Hawkeys Girls-As children y
loved you. - school girls We vexsd ysr
but now We acknowledge sseond childhood
affection for you. May our early affection
be renewed, our school day vsxations fel
gotten, and our homely Jet honest alter
tons regarded, not y wishstand ding the strange
graess Of our invited guests.