National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-26
FIFTY YEARS TOGETHER.
.lsbration Of . eolden Wording.

tCommnnicAted,l
Monday, March q, 1875, was white day in the
respected citizens, Mr. William II. Campbell. A
week Of storms had passed away, and all the
world was radiant In unclouded sunlight. Just
breath Of winter stirred In the sweeping air,
enough to brace up the limbs and give color to
the cheek. There was q peculiar fitness In all
the appointments Of this family anniversary. It
was q golden wedding day, rare, ripe day not
granted to many in this ehangeful life.
Mr.. William Henry Campbell Was born in
NeWburyport, Mass, March e, 1900. His family
removed to Boston in 1909, and in 1877 young
Campbell came to Richmond, Va, where he en-
ever since pursued. He here became . member
Of the Presbyterian church under the Rev. DR..
John H. Rice. Meantime he had made the 40
city, and on the evening Of March %, 1875. they
were Joined In marriage In the old Ingle mansion,
sew s sVe1Te 6ap Ty I'M sOu.Sss On Miss ME
was q member OF the First Presbyterian church
Of this city, then under the care Of the Rev. DR..
mony. The city was then Just emerging from the
wilderness and but few OF the streets were fairly
opened Yet The Wedding a.: Was Ms ssn Sy
church. and the Rev. Mr. Campbell, OF the Second
Presbyterian church, being among the guests.
Not more than halt dozen Of all that gay CON-
Three years later M. Campbell removed to
Washington and entered into business. His old
Cs1N
ment OF his son, has long been known among the
business men Of the city. He soon became con-
Iss Mac. aseqe he has IonS Been 19sfuI ana
honored member, and Of which he is now the
Oldest elder. Pa.
has been most kind to this entire family. But
one child and four grandchildren have been re-
moved by death. Mr.. and Mira Campbell have
one son and two daughters, all OF whom are mar
RED and all have families Of lovely children; and
all who have arrived at sufficient age are mem
beTs Of some Christian church. The golden we'd
ding was entirely family gathering at the resi-
deDee Of the son, Mr. Leonidas @. Campbell, on
E street northwest, and all were present who
were old enough TO sttend-that is, some forty or
ffty IN number. A profusion OF flowers grsced
the occasion, one beautiful moss-ZroWn tablet
bearing the years, set in snoE-White blossoms,
''1s25"-'ls76." The table Was loaded with every
Both Mr.. and Mrs. Campbell were in ins
spirits, moving among the company with the
children hanging about them, and q visible light
many memories Of other days oeaming in their
faces.
Major and Mrs. Russell, with their children,
from Philadelphis, were present.
Mr.. and Mr.. Leo Z. Campbell and Mrs. ]. q.
Kennedy were the hosts Of the day, and were as
and wife, Of Georgetown, with their children, and
Q few other old family friends, with DIR. and Mrs.
Sunderland, were also present on the happy oc-
When DR.. Sunderland, the pastor OF the family,
who had married all these couples, arrived, ne
WeEt at once to Mr.. and Mrs. CamP6ell, and,
putting their hands together, said: "DOes any
man forbid the banns?" Then, pausing q mo-
ment, he said: 'i no one spoke, pronounce you
husband and wife so long as you both shall live,
and may deaths parting be yet a good while
postponed"
So the glad hours sped OF. When many OF the
Ruests were gone as the children were gathered
about the table they called upon Mr.. Campbell
for come words of counsel He rose full Of emo
tion, and told them Of the marriage scene nifty
years sgo. He spoke in most affecting and beau
tiful words Of her who is the mother Of his chill
dIeD, and closed with q prayer that all their
had been.
A piece Of the brides cake which had been used
at the first wedding, and which had been kept for
half Q century, was then produced, and after
general inspection by the generations following,
IL was joined with piece Of the BRIDES cake Of
the golden wedding and deposited among the
heirlOoms Of the family.
The following lines, the contribution Of q friend
and clergyman Of Philadelphia, were then read
70 the eomDRpy.