The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1869-08-02
THETOURNAMENT,
Weston Ahead rs far as
Heard From,
THE FIRST OF THE SEASON
AIS Wen That ends Well.

AS was announced in cur last issue, the
Tournament Club determined to have the
first display Of the season on Thursday
last, tue Goth inst. Preparations were
made which ended in its being one of the
most successful affairs of the kind ever
held in this section Of country; and al
though the iucipient "knights" Of Buck
harmon and Clarksburg failed to "come
to time" yeta sufficient number ofthose
"to the manner BORN" were on hand and
acted well their part.
Invitations had been extended to the
young men Of our neighboring towns to
participate, and Buckhannon responded
by saying that she would send delega-
ton Of five knights-all Of whom didn't
get herc-their only excuse being that a
shower ofrain on Wednesday night made
it possible that speck of mud, while on
the route here, might bespatter their
"summer clothes accident which
would cause the untimely suicide Of some
of the ecclesiastical young gentry of BIZ.
Well, Buckhannon sustained her usual
reputation for "truthtulness;' and the
Tournament passed off just as we'll with
out as with ihem-naybe better. The
same may also be said Of Clarksburg.
On Wednesday, invitations were issued
to all the families in town to attend the
coronation ceremonies and bail, which
we're held at tue MoxlcY House.
The ground selected for the Tourna-
nent was on the farm Of Mr.. a. Smith,
junr., about nile from this place; and
Mr.. James Cole, proprietor of the livery
stable, kindly furnished transportation to
and from tue grounds for all the young la
dies in town.
Abou. II o'clock on Thursday morning
the knights began to assemble at the
place Of rendczvous-nea Hales store,
on the west side Of the river. After a
shor. tinc spent in drilling, the company
started on
through town, going up Main street,
along Broadway. down Court street.
across again to Main street, and down
the river to the grounds. Being "cov.
cred with glory" cursclf, Eve were Mar
sllal, you know i, might be said that We
we're sounding our own bugle" were We
to expa.iate on the good looks Of the
company-so We rely merely on villa.
everybody else said, which. Of course.
must be true Everybody clse,' then.
said that the riders looked healthy, hand
some and right gallant-their costumes
ueat and appropriate-sheir conduc. that
Of true knights, aud their riding excel.
lent.
On arriving at the grounds, Mr.. Geo
Ross, John G. Jackson. and Major Ed
wards we're elected judges and the
knights formed in line to listen to the ad-
dress. Mounted on gallant stced,
Geo. Cczad, Esd then addressed the as
semblage as follows:
Sla KNIGHTS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN I:
Again the pleasan, duty Of addressing
you has been assigned me; and while |
need scarcely sag that | consider it an
honor, must regret that some one more
worthy, more learned, moro able and
more eloquent than myself has not been
been selected.
You, Sir Knights, have met here III
your CARDS Of clivalry. to commemorate,
in fitting mode. the actions Of your proto.
types Of the olden time-when, with
gli,tering helmet, Furnished shield, and
polished spear, they me: in friendly jous,s
Tor the prize for which you now contend
the favors Of the fair.
In the oldcn time Of which I speak, the
Tournaments we're scenes Of gorgeous
magnifcence, whose attractions have been
fit.ingly portrayed by the pen Of Scott
and whatever else may be said Of them,
they undoubtedly laugh. devotion to those
weak, fair beings, "wlo, bu. ia beauty
and gentleness, have no defence" They
raised love above the passicus Of the
brute, aud By dignifying woman, made
her ct for love. They gave purity to en-
thusiasm, crushed barbarous seltislness
taught the heart to expand like flower Il
the sunshine, beaa.ifed glory With gener
o.i,y, and smoothed even the 'ruggec
brow Of war; "
But, (snd speak more directly to you
Sir Knigh.s)-you who are just TAXA!
your stations for the battle Of iHe-whil
we thus recur to the pas. history Of you
Order, and the noble mission il has pr
formed. We mus. not forget the dutie
| which lie before us-or, looking only I
the future, ignore the claims Of The pres
ent.
While vot, are mt a, were Your illus