Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-03-07
STAUNTON. VA, TUESDAY, MARCH 7, 1871.
For the Spectator.
SALEM VA Eah o5th 1871

"oo'u INT " near leW WOrQS from this sci
DOM -heard-of village, have concluded to Sent
you short communication. But do not thinl
because it is seldom heard of, and has no
city attached to it like the city of the Fun
mel or to speak more plainly, like S,taunton
that there is nothing of interest and impor
tance occurs within its boundaries. Had yor
been in Salem this week you might possibly
have become envious of it and thought it tt
be trying to rival your city in energy and &C
tlvlty. Should you have approached student
OF the well known and fourshing Institution
OF learning situated here, and inquired, "What
Is the matter?' you would have been made
aware that the Annual Celebration of the Cic
eronlan Literary Society of Roanoke College
was to take place on Wednesday night, the
22nd of February.
/ Wednesday night, of course, was looked for
ward to with much pleasure by the Salem
ties and those who live 10 the vicinity, be-
cause, judging from past exhibitions and from
the evening spent so pleasantly only a few
weeks since, listening to the eloquence of the
Demosthenlans, who took the 10Th of January
lK y Lees birthday as the day upon which
to hold their Anniversary-the we'll knew that
they could indulge the hope of enjoying real
literary feast. d
| Wednesday came, and with it came a heavy
snow which rendered the evening very disagree
able for the people to turn out and especially
dlsagreeable for the ladies. notwithstanding
the inclement weather, at u o'clock, a very
respectable audience had assembled in the Col
| lege Church and all was gay and cheerful
The Society arrived and headed by its repre-
sentatives marched into the Church under
sweet and exciting strains of music from the
Salem band. Prayer was then offered by the
| Rev. ). NJ. kirkpatrick, of Pulaski county, af-
ter which the "Ciceronian Quickstep" was
| boou f,llx hr, tbo hon
| The audience was then highly entertained
with an address by the President, Mr.. VIM.
| A. Turk, Of Augusta county, Va. Mr.. Turk
gave a short history of the Society-encour
aged his fellow Ciceronians to take the great
| orator after whom the Society was named, as
| model and cultivate oratory, the greatest ac-
complishment that man can possess. He then
INDUCED in short and beautiful eulogy on
Washington. He made fine appearance on
the stage and spoke well. To say that he &C.
Quilted himself with honor to his Society, to
his native county. and to himself, scarcely does
him justice. After Mr.. Turks address,
"Washington's March" was played.
The President then introduced Mr.. j. D.
Dreher, of Lexington county, S. c., as tie Or
ator OF the evening, announcing his subject to
be the Influence of Literature" Mr.. Dre-
her handled his subject in mastery manner,
showing great thought, which he clothed in
beautiful language. His delivery was very fine
and he handled himself on the stage as if he
knew what he was doing He has every rea-
son to be encouraged and has great hopes of
becoming both a speaker and writer. ''Hia-
watha Polka was then rehearsed by the band,
after which the debate was announced. The
question chosen for discussion on that occasion
was: rs Limited Monarchy practically
preferable to a Republc?' and R. Samuel
| Turk, of Augusta county, Va, was introduced
as the representative of the affirmative. He
handled his subject manfully, expressed him
self in beautiful language and spoke forcibly,
occasionally giving his opponent some pretty
severe rubs which drew applause from the au-
dience. We can say to Augusta that her son
did her honor and that she has no need to be
ashamed of him. Rosetta Waltz" being per-
formed in beautiful style, the President pre-
sented Mr.. John E Buchanan, of Tazewell
county, Va, as defender cf the negative. Mr..
Buchanan, though usually very difident, came
forward with bold front, and supported his
side with energy, warmth and ability. He had
fine production, and, like his opponent, a
strong argument. Mr.. Buchanan retalated
upon Mr. Turk by telling some good jokes and
turning the laugh on him. As is usual, the
question was left to the public to decide, and
| for each and every one to form their own opin-
| ion. Had it been the duty of a committee to
think it would really have been hard to render
decision, as both did so we'll
Thus ended the second Annual Celebration
of the Ciceronan Literary Society of Roanoke
| College, and we believe they all did themselves
and their Society great credit.
The Young Mems Christian Association of
r. c. was addressed by the Rev. j. NJ. Kirk
patrick, of Pulaski county. Va, on Tuesday
evening, February 2lst. Rev. Mr.. Kirkpat-
rick was very happy in the choice of a subject
| for the occasion, choosing as the basis OF his
discourse ''The Trials and Temptations of
Scholastic Life. His address was well COM
posed and showed that he had bestowed long
and careful thought upon It, His language
was beautiful-some of his sentences approach
ing almost to the sublime. His production was
tions to the youth. We would recommend to
all who heard him, and especially to the young
men to whom the address was more particular
ly directed, to take counsel from the advice
given.
The Hon. j. p Holcombe favoured the peo-
pie of Salem with his famous lecture on the
| ''Character Of Gen. r. f. Lee" on Wednes-
day evening at q clock P. NJ, in the newly
erected Town Hail. Notwithstanding the fact
that it was only known on that morning that
he would speak, and the very disagreeable day
large crowd had assembled at the appointed
hour. To say that it was more than good
would be telling the people of Augusta what
| they already know, as | believe that he has
delivered his lecture in Siaunton. Mr.. Hol-
combe commanded the attention of his au-
dience for two hours, and held them spell
bound by bis eloquence. He was applauded
frequently.
The trial of Wm w. Johnston, of Liberty,
Bedford county, for the shooting of DR.. Rob
erts of that place, created no little excitement
here the first Of the week. The prisoner ar
rived here on Saturday night, and the case
was taken up or Monday. The evening oi
that day was consumed in impanneling the jury,
there being some trouble to find men who had
not made up and formed an opinion on the
case The prisoner was indited for murder in
the first degree, to which he plead mot gull
ty."
The examination of the witnesses was COM
menced on Tuesday morning, which occupied
the whole day. There were good many wit
nesses on both sides, but the evidence was of
the simplest form. On Wednesday morning
the case was submitted to the jury without ar
gument. Without leaving their seats the Jury
rendered verdict of mot guilty." The Court
House was crowded and the people gave vent
to their feelings when the verdict was read, by
tremendous cheering. The prisoner was dis
charged and left the room amid the congratu-
lations of his many friends.
Mr. Johnston is youth of about eighteen,
and apparently very peaceable, quiet-looking
boy. His character was proven to be unexcep-
tionable.
The Counsels were VIM. NJ Barnett for
| Tho Hommonvoolth ond fol r. n Rrrl- G..