The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1871-07-14
HENRYVILLE ITEMS.
FOURTH OF JULY.

Of
At 10 o'clock, A. NJ, previous prepare
tions having been made, large crowd
OF the most intelligent and respectable
gentlemen and ladies assembled in a
nice oak grove in the suburbs of town.
DIR. Deason took the stand, and announ-
ced the programme of the day, at the
same time making some spirited re-
marks as to how the day should be cell
ebrated. The congregation then Joined
in solemn prayer, led by ID. G. Craig,
ESQ, for the preservation of our rights
and privileges, and for our rulers, and
those having authority over us. Next
came the reading of the Declaration OF
Independence, by James Curry, which
was read in clear, emphatic voice,
much to the credit of the young man.
Charles Braville then offered an ad-
dress on "Virtue the Base of all True
Happiness Below" which was ably
done, and attentively listened to. He
drew some striking figures, and produc-
ed some noble examples, to prove his
position, and ere he was done, there was
no doubt remaining among the audience
but that it was true maxim. DIR. Dea-
sonthen made speech, Contrasting Re-
ligious Privileges in the United States
with that of other Nations" After his
speech, dinner was announced, and we
retired short distance to the table,
loaded down with the richest that the
country could affold. We never saw a
nicer table on any public occasion. 1t
needs no comment TO those who were
there-others can think of 1t and sur
mise.
In the afternoon there were three
speeches delivered ON the two great
evils to eur gOvernment-War and In
temperance. Charles Braville spoke on
iusemperance first, showing by round
figures thar intemperance had been the
most destructive enemy that our politi-
cal, social, and moral government eyer
had. His speech was pointed, and will
not soon be forgotten. y. o.. Kelsey
then took the stand and very beautifully
pictured the depopulating hand of war,
as it went from kingdom to kingdom
sweeping life, fortune, property, happi-
ness, and everything else before it,
leaving blank on the face of the coun>
try, and an aching void in every heart.
His speech was one ofdeep and thrilling
interest, and will be remembered EOI
many days. DIR. Deason closed the ex-
ercises by touching upon war and in
temperance both, showing they were
cOncomitant evils, and urging upon the
people 70 beware OF lUo udH5eIS VI tl'
iher. "Total abstinence" was the fOrti-
fication against one, and quiet, virtu'
Gus mind to the other. His closing adj
vice to the young was received with nc
little attention. We have no doubt but
that there was good done, both to the
Debating Society, and to the community
at large.
The general department of the audi
ence we cannot pass unnoticed. Liquor
shops were closed, and no man suffered
to have a single drop. They joined in
with us, and did noble part. Not a
single jar o. discord was known through
the entire day. All was peace and har-
mony, and some of the old citizens re-
marked that "they never saw better be-
havior on any occasion before" James
Kelsey and Samuel Hardwick, were the
Marshals ofthe day, and acquitted them.
selves in satisfactory manner. ID. C.
Craig, ESQ.,, j. IL. Pennington, w. Nc
Anally, and Mack Buchanan, with Mrs.
Rebecca Craig, Mrs. Donia Curry, Mrs
Josie Scholes, and Mrs. DIR. Rainey were
the committee on arrangements for din
and the society and community
all did fine, and deseI 20 much cred
it, for contributing so freely to the din