Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1872-02-29
Washington's Birthday.
Grand Celebration on the 22d of Feb
ruary, at Wooster. 0.--The People
Awake Addresses by Gov. Noyes,
Hon. 1. r. Sherwood and Others.

On the evening of the 22nd a
large concourse of Republicans with
a good many Democrats, met in the
spacious Wigwam, prepared for the
occasion, to celebrate the annivers-
ary of the birthday of the Father Of
our Country. The dimensions of the
Wigwam were IT'S by 40 feet, and
could seat about 1900 persons. The
table was about one hundred and
forty feet in length and was loaded
with the very best things that could
be had. Before eight o'clock the
large building was perfectly crowd
ed and still they came. The exer-
cises were opened by Music by the
"Wooster Independent Band" AZ
ter which Hon. NJ. Welker, the Presi-
dent of the evening, made fine
opening speech, characteristic of the
time and place. Then followed the
lst Toast-Washington, to have
been responded to by Hon. James
Monroe. But in the absence of
this gentleman, Hon. NJ. Welker re-
sponded briefly. He said that all
he could say would not add one iota
to the fame of that illustrious person
age.
Then followed the 2nd Toast
"The Republican Party-Its Past,
Present and Future" This was re-
sponded to by GOV. E. F. Noyes,
in a most able manner. His fine
deep toned voice pierced to every
corner of that vast assemblage, and
riveted attention,while he portrayed
in glowing terms the Past, Present
and Future of the noble Republican
party. We are sorry that we cannot
lay the whole speech before our
readers. The President then an
nounced that the next thing in Or
der would be the Supper, which per-
haps would be the most interesting
part of the evenings entertainm ent.
Walters Immediately took their pos
itions in such numbers and so well
arranged, that in a quarter of an
hour everybody was served. We
have never. seen so many people
served so well, in so short a time.
The ladies ant the committee of ar
rangement deserv great praise for
their bountiful collation., and the,
expediency with which it was serv
ed. After supper the third regular
toast was announced-"The Sol
diers and Sailors. Hon. 1. R.
Sherwood, Secretary of State, re
sponded to this in his happy and
pleasing style. He was truly elo-
quent in his description of the
hardships of a soldiers life. He
could speak from experience, hav-
ing spent five years in the service Of
his country. He was listened to at
tentively throughout, and was quite
frequently applauded. The General
is a fine speaker, his manner is easy
and his voice pleasant.
The fourth Toast General Grant,
highly successful at the head of our
armies, equally so at the head of the
Nation" n."-Capt. A. S. Mcclure
responded in his usual brilliant
style, eliciting great applause.
The fifth and last Toast-"The
Ladies. Ben. Douglass responded
in an eloquent ard flowery address.
showing that he was conversant
with history on this interesting
topic.
Other toasts were given i'm
prompu, and we're responded to by
rousing cheers. The meeting was
now adjourned,an the greater part
les of the audience dispersed, while
a great many remained to see and
participate in a grand ball: Some
four hundred couples engaged in
the dance during the evening. We
understand that the receipts eX-
ceeded the expenditures which were
near 4 thousand dollars in all.
The Wigwam has been rented for
1.-The summer and will remain until
after the fall campaign, to be used
for campaign purposes.