Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1875-07-31
The Grange Barbecue at Mid.
way.
FLOYD, La, July 9th


Messrs Editors
Ii has never been our good for
tune to participate in more pleasant affair
than the Grange Barbecue at Midway On
Thursday. the 22nd of July.
Arrived NJ the grounds selected for the pur-
pose we made our way through the tl.rong of
happy faces. and lingering few moments
TO partake of the liberal refreshments dis
pensed from stand erected in the rear Of
the arbor joined the large a semby; who. on
the tiptoe of expectation, awaited the
approach Of the procession. This was com
posed of the members Of Nacona Grange. in
foil regaia, under whose banners, however,
were 10 be seen a number Of patrons from
other oranges quests or this occasion) follow
ed by the boys and girls Of the Midway
School, in charge of their worthy and efficient
teacher, Rev. w. F. Alexander.
All the members of the procession being
assigned to their respective seats, the Worthy
Master, w. A Richard son, spoke few words
of welcome. followed by prayer and song
by the grange. We were then entertained
for a short while by the Worthy Lecturer,
Col. Cochran, who has proven himself truly
a representative Of our New South. Col. {.
enpmera;ed our superior local advantages anI
the methods of utilizing them. citing examples
of industry and thrift among the good ODD
people. who, though gone from earth, still
live in our hearts But the theme briefly out
lined by the Worthy Lecturer was comI ie'ely
exhausted in the able address Of Hon +. e.. Ii.
Taylor. Touching upon many points OF M
terest TO the order, the speaker named. as most
prominent among objects to be accomplished
by 1t. a direct trade between Eur pc and the
great Mississippi Valley through New Orleans
aud for the purpose of securing the full bene-
fits of this trade, he urged upon the patrons
OF the South and West a persistent effort to
effect reduction of the tariff 10 strictly
revenue standard. Warning upon the credit
system. the mortgage system, and all other
systems not consistent with the principles OF
- order, he proved clearly, by both theory
nd practice, that ar only road t. financial
" lay in noble selfdenial, and an
66fIIoes detef 6fpu to attain it, 10y industry.
honesty and - )iy; that thus, and thus
only, could we 6kfain the material intieperl-
dence to which we are entities. 3he enun-
citation of these heroic sentiinents followed
by a peroration, breathing, in every line, the
spirit Of peace and reconciliation between
the hitherto discordant sections of our COM
mon country, stirred in the bosom of every
L
true patron a firm resolve to forget tue dark
| past, and to labor in earnest TO inscribe the
| future with deeds worthy of brave men and
women. We then liste ned for al hour TO an
address on the subject of immigration by Rev.
]. J. Bailey. He argued against the unwise
| policy Of land owners who hold with misery
avidity to titles, representing an Improbable
property, when il is in their power, by ar
opposite course, 10 so much enhance the
happiness and prosperity Of themselves and
Others. He thus appealed to Il cir selfinteres
in favor Of dividing the surplus land inlC
homesteads for the abode OF lovely families
families who are only waiting for an invita-
ton, TO come to us and assist in developing
our rich and beautiful country.
The speeches being over, a SUMPTION:
dinner was served choice meats, delicate
cakes and an abundance of fruits, proved tina
husbandmen and matrors had alike been a
work to render the day a success; and th
many guests will remember long the cordia
welcome and hearty good cheer Of this delight
ful occasion. May we enjoy many such re
unions, AID may they prove indeed the han
bnger of brighter day for bayou Maeo
Hills" VISITOR.