Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1871-04-08
TIL L OLDEN TIME.


erick- Town, in the reign of Queen
Anne were commenced, Washington,
who was in his goth year, was appoint
ed Major of Virginia Regiment of
Militia. He attended to his duty as
an officer, with exemplary propriety
and vigilance-was indefatigable in
the discipline of the troops, aad gen
orally beloved, both by his brother
officers and the private men, for his
mildness and generosity. At this
time the young and vigorous commu-
nifty of Frederick county had no idea
of separating their fortunes from the
Mother Country. The country now
known as the Creagerstown, Emmits-
burg and Mechanicstown Districts, was
thinly inhabited and where Mechan
icstown is to be seen no habitation
was built; the wolf and the deer
bounded in the thicket, and when
pursued fled to the mountains for
safety. On this very spot, often the
deer, rs we have heard our grand
fathers say, sped swiftly along the
water course, and made their way for
Harman'a Gap-will in woods the
noble antlcr ran.
In his first expedition against the
Indians Of the great West, in l754,
Washington having been repulsed at
the Green Meadows. not far from where
Uniontown Pa, is now located, he
erected Fort Necessity, whore after
calamity defending that advanced
Post against the Indians and French
on the 4th Of July, Us glorious day
tho young Hero surrendered and
returned with his troops to Gov. Din
widdic at Richmond, Virginia. Near
this same place, Fort Necessity,
Gen. LAFAYETTE in May, 1875, as the
guest of the people Ct Fayette county.
in reply to the Welcoming address Of
ALBERT GALLArIN, said;
GENERAL LAFAYETTE REpLY.--
Whatever has been my constant
faith in the power Of freedom and my
fond anticirations as an American
patriot, | could not at the time Penn
sylvania designed to call this part of.
the State after my name, Halter my
self, | should live to be blessed with
the sight Of the HIGH state Of prosper
ity and Improvement in every respect,
which have now the delight TO wit
ness: this delight my dear sir, cannot
but be greatly enhanced b. the atl'rr-
tionate welcome receive in this
county and in UN1oNToWN, and by
the peculiar felicity | enjoy to hear
that welcome expressed in the name
of the people, by an old and intimate
friend.
| Will not further dwell on your
very kind and llNttcring reference to-
past events, in both hcmiSphcrc~, 50.
far as they respect me, than to contcss
myself happy and grltlhcd in the
highest degree by those testimonies OF
tron You, sir, whose cs-I
term and affection | 50 great y value,
but in your eloquent speech find still
higher aud more gratifying motives
for my profound gratitude. In tlo
name of the companions of my senti-
mpnts and Of NV conduct through the
virissitudcs of the French revolution.
| thank YOU for the honorable evidence
given in our favor by 50 enlightened
and respectable an Observer and tol
the Justice YOU have done to the brnc-
fits acquired by the people of France,
ana to its progress. toward European
emancipation which in spite of poStc-
rior and more lcplorabIc circumstan-
ces have remained the result Of the
first impulse and the first years Of that
extensive resolution. And who, sir,
in this multitude Of American hearers
thronging around us, but who have
felt themselves elevated, obliged, de
lighted, at Your SO very Just and pa-
triotic observations on the uncXamplcl
public prosperity and private happi-
ness, the superior and dignihcd de-
grecs Of political civilization, tho
national and gIoriouSIy experienced
strength, the sound and yirtuous feel
ings, the truly republican spirit in
support of institutions founded on the
rights of man, by which these happy