Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1874-08-20
Swan Greek Pic Mic.
For the Fayetteville obeeryer.

something for paper.
We were on the ground ear
ly and found quite a number
already there. 1t was an adj
mirable place for a pic mic, just
where Swan Creek enters into
the river, and near TO u large
spring which yields ii bountiful
supply Of cool water. The seats
and rostrum were all arranged
in a nice shade, and everything
was in readiness for the occa-
sion. By eleven o'clock the
beautiful vale was alive with
human beings-at least one
thousand persons were on the
grounds.
At a given signal the Patrons
assem- bled on the bank of the
river ard put on their regalia,
formeda procession and marched
to the stand escorted by band
with stringed instruments, the
column led by DIR. VIM. l..
Moores, Master Of Swan Creek
Grange, and Hon. Thos. O..
Moseley, of Bedford county,
Chairman Of the Executive
Committee Of the State Grange.
1t was certainly an interesting
sight, and suggestive of an in
teresting thought to see so many
Of our best men, "tbe bone and
sinew" of our country, formed
in one advancing column, joined
together by the mystic tie, hav-
ing the same grand object in
view, with determination SO
plainly depicted upon each
brow.
After n lively air by the band,
Hon. Thos. @. Mosely was in
troduced, and for one hour he
held the close and fixed atten-
ton Of the enormous crowd,
Notwithstanding the fact that
the mercury stood at 1902 in the
shade Col. Moseley is a good
speaker and readily gains the
attention Of his audience, not
more by his fluency than by the
ease and earnestmeSs Of his man.
ner. He spoke of the superiori-
ty Of brain over muscle, strongly
encouraged education, discOuI-
aged, at present, immigration,
and pointed out instances and
examples Of the oppression Of
Farmers by railroad monopolies.
We will not attempt an outline
of his speech, for we had no
opportunity of taking notes,
and will not trust our memory.
But suffice it to say that his
speech was full Of information,
clear, concise, ably and indeed
eloquently delivered.
After Col. NJ. had finished,
Rev. A. S. Sloan was requested
by quite a number to speak; he
came promptly forward and ell
tertained us with aa Agricultu-
raj speech. Had we not known
otherwise we certainly would
have thought that he had spent
a months study on it. 1t was
an able effort, and we would
like to give you a few Of his
ideas, but will not attempt it
for fear we do him injustice.
His speech being ended, din
ner was announced, and all re-
paired to the table, had a most
excellent dinner and plenty of
it. Judging from the amount,
no one would have thought that
our county was suffering from
so severe a drouth.
The programme after dinner
was to return to the stand and
enjoy some vocal music by the
Changers, but Prof. Ramsey
was present, and requested the
managers to be allowed to de-
liver his Lecture on Education.
The programme of the day was
declared completed and the
Prof. commenced his Lecture
on Compulsory Education. We
did not hear him, but have since
learned. that he failed to gain
many advocates to his doctrine.
1t does not coincide with the
Changers idea of education, but
since this was external to the
pic mic we will not comment.
There was also another "af-
terpiece"-a bran dance, but on
account of the excessive heat,
one set ended it. So the occa-
sion was a very pleasant one;
there was nothing to mar the
enjoyment of any one, no fight
ing,no drunkenness, mot single
case (nor no whisky on the
grounds) no running, pushing
and grabbing at dinner-there
was neither need for guards nor
ropes to protect the tables but
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