The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1869-08-02

Look around you to-day, and wts:d'
you see? The pure stream of virtue
which once coursed through our fair lane
is polluted-the healthy conservatism O.
the past has been swept away-agrari'
anism is rearing its hydra-head against
the laws of society, and is seeking to drag
down honest industry to its own shiftless
levcl-the Press is teeming with licen.
tous publications, corrupting the minds Of
youth and miuistering to the purient
tastes of maturer years-corruption, bold
and unblushing, is counting attention on
every hand-licentousness unveils its
brazcn face in the broad light Of day, and
JUSTICE has snatched the bandage from
her eyes, and with scale extended for the
expected bride, stalks throughout the land,
hawking her favors to the highest bidder.
Here is work for you, beside which
the greatest feats of knight.errantry siuk
into insigui6cance. Rise, then, to the
dignity of the occasion-realizo the re-
quirements of the 'hour-t throw yourselves
into the widening breach, aud stay the
rush Of the progressive tide which threat.
ems to cnguifus all. Do not stop to speak
Of the achievements Of your Order in days
gone by-do not waste the precious mo-
lncnts with mere glittering generalitie:
about God aud morality, charity and bro
therly love. 1t is no time for idle, sense
less, vapid talk. Act now!
"Act, act, in the living present,
Heart within and God DER head
It matters not who tells you this.
may point, If cannot lead the way.
may be poor waif, driven about at thu
viii Of the winds and waves Of passion aut
pleasure, but I tell you this as one who
sees and feels the dangers by which We
arc surrounded, and you must feel in
your Utmost souls that | speak the word:
Of truth aud sobcrncss.
l appeal to you ps citizens who love the
good order ofsociety, tnd as patriots in
whose hearts love ofcountry is enshriaed,
to throw off the sloth which oversbadows
you, apd 60 to work earnestly, and with
the faith Of flowing hearts, to restore soci.
ETY. to its pristine purity, and our country
to its former prosperity.
DO this, and you will not merely enjoy
that sweetest ofall earthly consultations
the approval Of your own conscience
you will not only be able, when you feel
the tide of life ebbing from your veins,
and sec the dark shadow Of an hereafter
gathering before your eyes, to look back
through, the dim vista Of the past, and be.
hold beautiful flowers blossoming along
the pathway you have trod-bu: you will
receive the fitting reward for your labors.
that shall send your name "ecioing down
the corridors oftime,' as bencfactors Of
your country and of mankind. l have
done. The thoughts which l have spoken
to you might have been couchcd il more
fitting garb, had more leisure been allol.
ted me foe the task; but what l have
said l have said, and it only remains for
nc to bid you God.spesd in your doing.
Sir Marshal, tike you in charge these
Knights, and speed their doing. Sit
Knights, for Love aud Beauty ride! God
speed and save you!N
The knights then took their respective
places, and rode as called, in the follow.
ing order:
Sir knight Macduff-T. G. Dawson.
Sir Knight Macbeth. B. Edmiston.
Sir Knigh: of tho Legiou-T. p.
Brannon.
Sir Knight ofthe Old Dominion-Wil-
lie Hall.
Sir Knight No One to Love S1e-R.
d. DAWSON.
Sir Knight Of the Ctoss-Upton
McCandlish.
Sir Knight Of the Lost Cause-Andy
Edmiston.
Sir knight OF the Storn-Louis Ben.
nett.
Sir Knigh. Of the shamrock-W. G.
Bennett.
Sir Knight Of Kenilworth--T. G.. Ed.
mis.on.
Sir Knight Of the Red Rose-F. F.
Fousse.
Sir Knight Of the Golden Circle
JOAN Bland.
1t is,gratifying to state tina. notwish
standing the evil representations of SOM
Of the sorc.heads, that somebody would
be sure 10 get killed." not an ucciden
happened save slight one to Mr. Daw
son, which was occasioned BY the break
ing Of his saddle-girth. But "Bud" is 8
fat that the tumble only awakened him I
a sense Of "the duties Of the hour" an
new .isth was the only thing necessar
to put him once more ION the track.
After due and fair trial, the lists yer
closed, and the judges announced the fol
lowing as
rms RESULT.
1st Honor-W. G. Bennett.
Ord unnnrR Il naxiasnn