Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-04-26
ELOQUENT EXTRACT.

ELOQUENT EXTRACT.
When Logan, Of Illinois, charged Virginia
with being untrue to the Constitution, Senator
Ransom, of North Carolina, answered 10 this
pouuent extract, Tor which ne receives the
tbsoks of every Virgiuian:
"Vrgipia Indifferent to the Constitution
while she holds 10 her bosom the memories OF
Madison and Marshall The mother OF Wash
ington, Jefferson, Monroe, Tyler, Taylor, Scott
Maury, Thomas, the theme tor aJest, the sup
ect for a taunt. When the senator or myself
or thousands like US shall have achieved 1or
liberty and glory shadow OF wnat Virginia has,
then jeer or sur upon her great name may
have some grace Has the senator forgotten
how much this nation owes to Virginia? He
must for the momeut have forgotten that she
gave TO the Uoou the States Of Kentucky
Ohio. Indiana and Illluois. Had the Senator
rea ,cted that bis owD State vas one OF the
monuments Of Virginia patriotism these words
could never have fallen from bis lips. Nor, sir
are thess tthe of her contributions to the re-
pubic. She has borne seven Presidents, who,
at the head of the government, have illustrated
her devotion to liberty. She has nurtured 90
he, breast the sodiers who have covered your
arms With reuown, the sailors who have bright
ened your flag with honor, the scholars VINO
have extended the conquest of science from the
bottom of the sea to the verge Of the stars. Her
trophies, her memories, her great names, her
priceless virtues are before the world; they are
the brightes. jewels of the republic; they are the
noblest heritages OF humanity.
II pray the day may never come when the
great spirit at Mount Vernon shall not protect
her from insult and avert her from error; ber
proud sorrows are sublime, and like her glories
will be immortal. When she sheatbed her
sword and returned to the Union, her coustancy
to her national duties and her loyalty to her
sister States we're renewed with all their orlgl-
nal vigor and truth. Her care for the constl,
tuition and her devotion to the rights Of man
had never slumbered. Great State! What
ever is grand and patriotic and excellent should
be compared to thee. When thy name does
not inspire the respect, excite the admiration
and kindle the affections of American patriots,
the love of liberty and Of country will be ex-
piring in our hearts.
AFRICAN WEDDING In the interior, where
there are many scattered villages, it is an i'm
portant part 10 the missionary's work to itin-
crate, paying occasional visits to the more dis.
tant portions of his parish. On occasions like
these, it happens that there are couples who
are waiting to be joined in malrimony. and
whose names have been hung up" as the
natives express the publishing of banns No
one in that country thinks of remaining un-
married. The ceremony is generally perform.
ed after week day service, when, instead OF
the heather dress, With bodies fabricated with
red o,ber and grease, and heads anoioted With
. mixture of black, shianng substance with
butter, they dress after the European fashion,
with their very best for the occasion, and it
they have not enough suitable clothing, they
borrow from their neighbors. The groomsman
and bridesmaid are not wanting.
The ceremony 10 generally performed in the
public fold IN the middle OF the village, no
house being large enough, as macy at that sea-
son come from distance to see, and to come
10 for a share of the feast. The ceremony
over, they retire to eat simple but abundant
fare There is 20 dancing, whether mem bers
or no members, but the time is passed 10 sing
ing; and they do sing, possessing wonderful
facility in taking the different parts Every
hymn book ia 10 requisitlon,' and not tune OF
which they know anything is uotried Nearly
the whole range OF the hymn book is gone over,
while tavorites are sung over and over again.
The nissionary's wagon, which is his castle
aod bedroom, stands generally not far from
the scene ; and not unfrequently respose and
sleep are needed, after, it may be, miles OF
walking, visiting the outlying abodes OF those
who may be unable to attend the services of
the day. While wishing sometimes that their
music were behind hill, or at some distance, he
cannot find it in his heart to fell them to deslst
when they seem 80 happy" african Recol-
lcctions," By the Rev. DR.. Mctut
KISSING IN CHINA-lt is singular fact
that the custom of kissing is altogether un-
known in China The Chinese, indeed, have
no word or term expressing love as we under
stand the tender passion. An American navy
officer voyaging Cbinaward narrates an anus
iug experience of the Ignorance of the Chinese
maidsns of the science of kissing. Wishing to
complete conquest he had made of a young
mel iin beautiful lady, be invited ber-usng
the Epglish words-to give him kiss. Find
iug her comprehension Of bis request some
what obscure, he suited the action to the word
and took kiss. The girl ran away iuto anoth-
er room thoroughly alarmed, exclamipg, Ter
rible man eater ! shall be devoured" But iu-
q moment, finding herself uuiujured BY the
salute, she returned to his side, saying, II
would like to learo more of your strange rite
Ke.e-es uev' He knew it wasn't right, but be
kept on instructiog her in the right of "ke-e es
me- uatil she knew how to do it like native