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

Of our country buried beneath its ruins.
Look around you to-day, and wta.de
you see? The pure stream Of virtue
which once coursed through our fair land
is polluted-the healthy conservatism Of
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 miuistcring to the purisnt
tastes Of maturer years-corruption, bold
and unblushiug, is counting attention on
every hand-licentousness unveils its
brazen face in the broad light Of day, and
JusrlcE has snatched the bnndage from
her eyes, and with scale extended for the
expected bride, stalks throug the land,
hawking her favors to the highest bidder.
Here is a work for you, beside which
the greatest feats of knight-errantry siuk
into insiguidcance. Rise, then, to the
dignity of tho occasion-realizo tho re-
quirements of the 'hour-throw yourselves
into the widening breach, aud stay the
rush Of the progressive tide which threat
ems to cnguif US all. Do not stop to speak
ofthe achievements Of your Order in days
gone by-do not waste the precious mo-
lncnts with mere glittcring generalities
about God and morality, charity and bro
thcrly love. It is no time for idle, sense
less, yapid talk. Act now!
"Act, act, in the living present,
Heart within and God ocr head"
It matters not who tells you this.
may point, if l cannot lead the way.
may be a poor waif, driven about at the
will Of the winds and waves Of passion and
pleasure, but tell you this as one who
sees and feels the dangers by which we
arc surrounded, and you must feel in
your Utmost souls tbat I speak the words
Of truth and sobcrness.
- appeal to you Us citizens whe love the
good order Of society, end as patriots in
whose hearts love ofcountry is cnshrined,
to throw off tho sloth which overshadows
you, apd 60 to work earnestly, and with
tho faith Of loving hearts, to restore soci-
ETY. to its pristine purity, aud our country
to its former prosperity.
DO this, and you will not merely enjoy
that sweetest of all earthly consultations
the approval Of your own conscience
you will not only DO able, when you feel
the tide Of life ebbiug from your veins,
and sec the dark shadow Of an hereafter
gathering before your eyes, to look back
through the dim vista Of tho past, and be-
hold beautiful flowers blossoming along
the pathway you have trod-bu; you will
receive the fitting reward for your labors,
that shull send your name .'ccloing down
the corridors oftimr,' as benefactors Of
your country and Of mankind. lhavc
done. The thoughts which have spoken
to you might have been couchcd ia more
fitting garb, had more leisure been allot.
ted me for The task; but what have
said have said, and it only remains for
me to bid you God.spesd in your doing
Sir Marshal, take you in charge these
Knights, and speed their doing. Sir
knights. for Love aud Beauty ride! God
speed aud save you! y
The knights then took their respective
places, and rode rs called, in tue follow
ing order:
Sir Knight Macduf-T. G. Dawson.
Sir Knight Nlacbeth-T. b. Edmiston.
Sir knight Of tho legiou-T. P.
Brannon.
Sir Knight Of the Old Dominion-Wil-
lie Hall.
Sir Knight No One to Love Me-R.
d. Davisson.
Sir Knight Of the Cross-Upton
McCandlish.
Sir Knight Of the Lost Cause-Andy
Edmiston.
Sir Knight Of the storm-Louis Ben
nett.
Sir Knigh. Of the Shamrock-W. G.
Bennett.
Sir Knight of Kenilworth TT. G. Ed
mission.
Sir Knigh. Of tile Rcd Iloso--F. f
Foussc.
Sit Knight Of tile Golden Circle
john Bland.
1t gratifying to state that notwith
standing the evil representations Of son'
Of The sorc-hcads, that somebody would
be sure to get killed. not IN acciden
happened save t slight ono to Mr.. Daw
son, which was occasioncd by the break
ing Of his saddle-girth. But "Bud" is s
fat that the tumble only awakened him /
a sense Of "the duties Of the hour an
a new 18th was the only thing neccssar
to put him once moro ION the track.
After due and fair trial, the lists wer
closed, aud the judges announced the fol
lowing as
rlis REsttT.
1st Honor-W. G. Bennett.
=, D,,J fJ.on, II n navieunu