Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-06-22
The Centennial Celebration. ---Impos-
ing Ceremonies.

The Centennial Celebration Of the orsaniza-
ton Of Berkeley county, on satuslay last, was
the grandest ee ever before witnessed in its his
tory. From early morn to high noon, crowds
of people IN carriages, on horseback and on
foot. approached the city from every direction,
until King ard Queen streets presented per-
feet jam. At 10 o'clock the various Benevo-
lent Orders in full regalia, formed into line,
an? with banners and music, paraded through
! the principal streets, presenting an inspirtiEg
scene. The procession was headed by the Fire
| CompRny's Steam Fire Engine, beautifully gar
the ribbons being in the hands Of Mr. Frank
Patterson. Col. j. @. A, Nadsnbousch, as
Chief Marshall was assisted by Col. Jno B. A.
Nadenbousch, II. n Tabb, A. J. Thomas and
J. n. Cunningham, Esq's, as Aids.
At IL o'clock, A. NJ, the procession took up
the line Of march for the grove selected for the
! ceremonies; the number Of carriages in limo
reaching at least three miles, whilst many had
already preceded the procession and had ar
rived on the grounds At least ten thousand
people were present, whilst many estimated the
number as largely more. No such gathering
was ever witnessed in Berkeley. 1t seemed as
if the whole of her people had turned out to
DO honor to the occasion.
AS soon as something like order could be
restored in so vast crowd, the programme of
exercises at the stand commenced. The Hon.
c. J. Faulkner, as Presiden: Of the day, in slo-
J quen: and appropriate terms explained the OBJ
ect Of Che celebration, and felicitated the peo-
pie Of Berkeley upon this the proudest day In
all their history. Upon the conclusion of Mr..
/ FaulkuerS remarks the Rev John Poisal, Of
Baltimore, followed in an eloquent and appro-
pirate prayer to the Great Ruler of the Uni
verse, In which he feelingly acknowledged the
mercies and bounties of Providence to us as a
people. The following order of exercises then
took place Music. Poem, by Daniel B. Lu-
cas-, Esq. Music. Historical Address, by
Gen. d. II, Strother One hours recess fer
/ Refreshments. Music from the Stand. Ad-
dress by Rev. Stuart Robinson. Music.
We could but do injustice to the poet and
speakers, did We attempt even meagre sketch
OF what was so eloquently and appropriately
said by each Of them; we must, therefore, con-
tent our readers by the assurance that we shall
take occasion at an early day to publish IN e.
tense the remarks of oil the participants
1t was indeed, as we have said, proud day
for Berkeley county In the stand there were
congrsgatsd q number Of her sons, whose peers,
we venture to assert, could not be found in all
the land. There was George Weber, not, to
be sure, native, but for eighty years q citizen
Of tho territory Of Berkeley, now in his l04th
year There, too was Gotleib holland George
Seibert, now past their four-scoro years, but
still hale and hearty the perfect representatives
Of the intelligent and enterpriSing Berkeley
1 farmers and there, too, sat the Rev Stuart
| Robinson, the Rev. J ohm Poisal, the Hon. c.
J. Faulkner, Andrew Hunter, ESQ Gen d.
H. StTothor and Daniel b. Lucas, Esq, native
citizens Of Berkeley, and her daughters, all dis
tinguished in the vatious professions and whose
names stand high upon the roll Of famo. But
time would fail US to note all the interesting
incidents Of the ocosSion-ono long TO be re-
membered and treasured in our annals. The
admirable arrangements of the Chief Marshal
and his Aids were such tha. not single acct
dent, nor single unpleasant incident occurred
TO mar the pleasures Of the occasion II was,
without metaphor. one Of unalloyed pleasure
and enjoyment, The day itself was suspicious
Il seemed, indeed. as if the Host of the skies
Looked down in eOmplaiSance upon our people.
Blu. the day before, the clouds refreshed the
parched earth in copiOus showers, and nature
seemed to have put on its holiday attire; in
deed heaven ard man seemed to approach near
er the music Of the spheres than ever be-
fore. 4NdrtiRS5lrg Statesman.