Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-08-31
iCONMUNIChTED.


It has been announced that the Rev. i. a.
Ross, D. d., will deliver a lecture tonight in
the Second Presbyterian Church upon Social
Amuacmcnts." The proceeds OF the lecture
are to BE- devoted to the liquidation Of debt
of $4,000, resting upon the Presbyterian
Church in Huntsville, Alabama. We have
heard much OF the imDovcrlshmcnt ana dcStl-
tntiou which prevail throughout the South,
and especially in that once opuent and pr0duc
tive region known as the gull States, but we
have seen no more convincing and affecting
| Illustration OF the blight which has fallen npcn
these distant communities than Is afforded by
! this appeal Huntsville, Ala, situated on the
SPOT where the mountains Of Tennessee slope
into the fertile regions that stretch to the gulf,
bathcd in an atmosphere, the balmlest in all
the country, inhabited by 4 people in whose
veins flows the best blood OF Virginia-the
home in better days of culture, elegance and
superfuity-Who that knows anything OF our
| people is ignorant that it was once the Gem
and Pride of the South" That this cnlight-
ened and chivalrous people have consented to
seek aid of the North or, in fact, Of any COM
! munity, is conclusive Of financial prostratlon
peculiarly startling.
That the appeal is made by such people
| is revelation OF deep and humiliating need
which must stir the pulses Of every generous
| heart. We have never had the pleasure Of
! hearing Dr. Ross lecture, but we can we'll re-
collect the days when the country was ringing
with his eminent name. From Southern men
at least, lie merits cordial welcome, for dur
| ing forty cvcntful years he has borne alolt
| their banner. In those great conflicts OF opin-
| ion upon which the dust OF oblivion Is now
happily fast settling-his plume was ever seen
moving proudly and his sword flashing brightly
at the very head of the dense column. On
the floor OF the General Assembly at Buffalo
| and New York his speeches bat1ed his oppo-
| nents and secured high and q prominent
place in the literature Of the great agitation.
The topic selected for the lecture "Social
Amusements" is one which affords 4 fine thea
ire for the display of the lecturers varied gifts.
Unless he fails to redeem the hostages given to
the congregation who listened with delight to
bis discourses yesterday, 4 rare treat may be ex-
pected--wit pathos, humor, imagination and
logic will be blended in salutary and abiding
moral impression Alexandria has not been
remarkable for the patronage bestowed by her
citizens upon popular lecturers, and this Tact
has been mentioned to the disparagcment Of
her cultivation. Let us wipe off this Must
impression, and by Our attendance to- night
Yindiuate the fame of our beloved town. H.
WASHINGTON ITEMS, None Of the clerks
in the Treasury Department have been dis
charged as it was expected some would be On
Saturday. The Secretary will endeavor 10 con
tinue them as long as possible.
The buildings OF the foot OF Seventh street,
formerly used by the Kennebec lee Company:
but now owned by Messrs R. NJ. Hall and j.
McClarey Perkins, were destroyed by fire at an
early hour on Saturday morning, loss about
81 600. ....
It is estimated that two hundred members
of the Masonic Order will 90 from Washington
to st. Louis on the occasion OF the approaching
triennial convention of the knights TempIar.
Obstructive fires in the woods continue in
Canada.
OREEN GINGRR FOR PRESERVING
VT &C., just received and for sale by
aug u E.. S. LEA DBEATEk IL co. e..