Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-01-23
For the SPECTATOR.
Second Annual Celebration Of the jack
son Literary Society.

We hasten with reluctancy to give 20,
an account of the Second Annual Cele
bration ofthe Jackson Literary Society,
at Arbor Hill, which passed off on las
Friday evening, January 10Th, 1877, il
its usual way OF success. Our unwilling
mess for giving you synopsis of tn,
speeches delivered by the worthy mem
bers of this Society, is, that such was
the sInallness of the house, and such
was the enormous crowd of people gath,
cred from all portions of the county tc
witness the memorable occasion, that nc
one had any satisfaction, either sitting
or standing and consequently no notes
could be taken on any speech, for it was
enough for one to take care of himself
the notes and the aristocratic pull backs
had to paddle their own canoe.
Well, laying all jokes, smashed corns,
smashed bustles, aud all cries of "give
me liberty or give me death" aside, we
shall proceed to give you brief sketch
of the programme at least as much as
our painful corns and whirling brains
will allow Us,
Before the appointed hour for speak
Ing arrived, the "Middlebrook Band.'
under the leadership of DR.. McChesney,
sent forth several soul-stirring airs after
which Rev. d. B. Ewing opened the
exercises by offering upa grave and solid
power.
Then the "Band'' followed with that
sss-set but plaintive hymn II went to BIZ
an sngel.'s
Next Mr.. r. A. Palmer, President,
handled the object "In living, not in
life, turks the charm,n with the grace of
an orator; his delivery was fine, his
argument solid.
If we owe compliment it is to Mas
ter G. FL. Nader, first orator, youth Of
not more than sixteen summers, who SO
ably and gracefully proved that Know
ledge is Power"
Now comes what pinches and stings
like scorpion bite, that essay, "The
Boy and Girl of the PERIOD" read by
Mr.. w. A. Wilson we can only certify
that this essay sank deep into the hearts
of many youthful boy and girl by
showing imperviousness of the two cent
cigar, finger ring heavier than tha brain,
apt. lastly, the pinch back.
The history of'"La Fayette and Rob-
ert Raikes," detained by Mr.. D. w.
Speek, won for him the credit of being
well ysrsed with the historical accounts
of La Fayette whom America well re-
members, and of Robert Raikes whose
life is still burning, both in the bosoms
Of nortals here below, and of angels in
the world beyond.
Resolved, s'Ihat the Pen Is more pow
erful than the Sword" was ON the af-
firmative side sustained by Mr.. j. A.
Summers who narrated numerous deeds
that the "Pen" had done but Mr.. G.. G,
Hanger on the negative side IF the gues-
ton, said, that While in the halcyon days
Of peace the s'Pen" could boast of deeds
that it had placed on record, but could
not hold its own when war deluged our
native land; the "EWord" could then
count Its victims by hundreds and thou
sands in the light of a 1urid sunset sky.
Mr.. j. f. Hanger, final crater, had
selected with much tsste for his subject,
"Ealse Lights" in which he explained
how numerous persons were led from
the shining road Of honor and prosper.
ity, into the dark, and lurid way, that
leadeth to eternal destruction.
The Active members of the Society
were now through speaking, and ready
to hear from any Honorary member that
was present.
The crowd called upon Mr.. A.-Rlauth,
who responded by commenting on
Pinchbacks, &C., and then hurried on to
make few brief remarks on the I'M
pcrtance of an Education"
After Mr.. BIS harangue. three long
and animated cheers, for Mr.. Robert J,
Dyche, of Folly Mills, but no Dyche was
near to answer.
"Middlebrook Band" struck up
lively dir and Mr.. James Lightner,
member of the Band" sang out in
clarion tones, "Goodzbye Susan jane"
Nos0onef had he come to close, when
some pretty damsel seated behind your
writer, cried out in clear voice, "Mister,
give US some more Of that stuff" Mr..
L. to pacify this sweet maiden executed,
use getting happy now" above the
tremendous applause from the audience.
The exercises of the evening were clos
ed by all receiving the henedietion.
WAMoT.