Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-11-03

next year it will be so much improved, that it
will hardly be recognized as the same place.
We will conclude our imperfect notice of the
Fair by giving an account of that portion OF It's
exercises which constituted a novel feature IN
exhibitions of this kind, and which contributed
so much to the entertainment and amusement
of the spectators.
SPORTS ON THE GREEN.
The Fair being for the promotion of the So
cial as we'll as the agricultural characteristics OF
the county, this feature was conducted daily
under charge of COL Christian, and special
committee at appointed intervals, and afforded
novel and popular variety to the daily pro-
gramme-serving to keep old and young IN
pleasant humor.
Tuesday was devoted to foot-races, jumping
matches, and baseball. A match foot race was
made up between West Va. and old Va, which
excited most interest Hon. A. H. HI. Stuart,
Hon. A. T. Caperton and Gen. Echols acted as
judges. The race was won by Hugh Hamilton,
as the champion of Va.
Wednesday the principal and most attractive
entertainment on the green was the contest of
the Ladies, Archery Club for the premium-a
beautiful bow and culver of arrows-ofered by
the Fair. The Club consists of ten young la.
dies of Stanton, who appeared dressed most
tastefully in uniform of Lincoln Green
the colors of ancient archery, with colored sash.
There was nothing to make the ladies personal
ly conspicuous, as all other persons were strict
ly excluded from the spacious green, except
the Judges, Gen. R. E. Lee, Com. M. F. Maui
ry, and Hon. A. T. Caperton, and the Chaper-
ons of the Club Mrs Gen. Chestnut and Mrs.
Boykin of S. c., and Mrs. Col. Baldwin; the
Committee, Messrs Christian, Hanger and Eid
son, and the band of music. The wind was
too high for shooting, yet Miss Florence Phil
lips sent two arrows out of three near the cen
tire of the target, and had the honor Of receiv-
ing the premium at the hands of Gen. Lee,
and amidst the most cordial congratulations of
her competitors. The remainder of the day
was given to croquet and base ball.
Thursday the blind wheelbarrow races at,
forded most laughable sport-to see the contes-
tants so earnestly pushing off in every direc-
ton. but the right one. The premium here
was awarded to MIR. Paris, who was gravely
presented with "silver- trumpet so called,
in the shape of piece of battered tin spout
ing, and bore it off triumphanty amidst the
loudest shouts Of the crowd. Judges-Col.
Arch Kinney, Col Fl. L. Gallaher and Capt.
j. B. Finks.
A szow race also came off contested for by
most remarkable looking set of Rosinantes,
blind, lame, and halt the prize to be given to
the slowest steed, but We are unable TO an
nounce the result, as John Whites and Jack
Hardys horses had not yet got more than half
round the track at last accounts.
The Tournament and Coronation closed the
sportive exercises with the close of the Fair
Thirty Knights with the usual variety OF 70,
mantle NOMINEES de guerre entered the lists-to
contend for the coveted prize of choosing the
Queen of Love and Beauty also pair of
silver spurs was to be given as special prize,
and beautiful pair of white slippers 1.-THE gift
of A. M. Simpson,, for the Queen.
The following is the address of Gen. Echols,
to the Knights as specially reported for the
Spectator
CHARGE TO THE KNIGHTS.
SIR KNIGHTS Il feel honored in being de-
puted to address you, the representatives of the
youthful manhood and chivalry of Virginia.
The older men have already discharged their
part in this great public demonstration. 1t Is
your turn now as it soon must be, upon the
stage of public affairs, to take the places SO
,uo} Hllod hv your fathers
Although this is but mimic tournament,
yet, if we improve the occasion properly. it, too
shall not be without its usefulness. You claim
to represent the chivalric feeling of the people
of this great State, as the knights of old
claimed to represent the feelings of their coun-
trymen.
In the days of the olden Knights and of the
crusades, the great object which they held In
view was to rescue the sepulchre of the Savior
from infdel hands. There is an object for you
to hold in view as sacred and as glorious as
that; it is to redeem your native State; it is
that you, who must soon assume the lead, shall
consecrate your lives to the redemption of the
proud old mother of us all.
do not speak to you as politician, nar ad-
wise you to take part in what is known as poll
tics. | would on the contrary, advise you to
eschew politics. and look alone to the develop
ment of the great resources of your State
Work for this, and this alone. Then, coming
in this spirit, let US not regard this as a mere
boyish pastime, but let it be understood that
you come here this day to pledge yourselves to
this cloud of fairy witnesses that you will exert
yourselves as PUBLIC men until your State shall
stand redeemed from her desolaton.
She is to you mother, although she sits as
widowed matron at her Preside, with her chill
dren slain around her, and her fields laid waste.
1t is our duty to forget the past, and now only
to remember that we are citizens Of a great
government. and that we should devote all that
we have of intellect or of strength to promote
the power, wealth, and happiness of our com
mon country. 1t is true that one may not here
after be able to look to our own dear old State
as political organization with her proud motto
of Sic semper Tyrunnis, which has hitherto
blazed forth Sc brightly, but VIC have it in our
power to make her great in social and material
wealth.
'Let us, then, be up and doing
With heart for any fate;
Still achieving. still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait"
IF you have the ambition to follow in the
footsteps Of the knights of old, remember that
he, who was the most knightly gentleman, and
whose name has como down to US through four
centuries as the 'spotless and tho fearless"
chevaler Bayard, has transmitted his hume to
succeeding generations. pot through manly
proves nor skill with spear and sword alone,
but for the great and high moral qualities which