The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-07-10
VOL. x.
New Avon Celebration.

grove proved success DeyOnQ the
most sanguine expectations of all
concerned. 1t is estimated that up
wards of four hundred people were
in attendance. The teams Flocked
in from all quarters and about eleven
O'Clock the grove was pretty we'll
filed. After the people were con-
gregated they were called to order
by the President of the day J. S.
Towle, and the services were opened
by song by the choir, followed by
Prayer by John Turnbull. After
singing again, Reading of Declare
ton by J. Turnbull, followed by
singing. Then S. J. Race of Red
wood Falls was introduced by the
President who delivered an grafton
by which the People were very
agreably entertained and is deserv-
ing of much praise. By the Request
of number, Mr.. Race has consented
to having his Grafton published an
extract of which will found below.
After the Grafton the forenoon exer-
cises were terminated by another
song and adorned for a short time
to give the table committee time to
arrange the table Then came Il grand
exhibition of the skill of the Ladies
in the culinary department, which is
well worthy of unbounded praise.
The table fairly groaned under the
bountiful supply of Provision layed
upon it, the deliciousness of which
was sufficient to tempt the taste of
the most refined.
After dinner the time was taken
up with horse racing, base ball play
ing and other amusements. Every
thing passed of pleasantly without
anything to mar or impair the tran
guilty of the assembly, except, dur
ing the race one of the horses bolted
the track and run over Il couple of
children which happily did no further
harm than to slightly bruise the leg
of one of them, excepting the scare.
About five o'clock the people began
to disperse to there several homes
fully satisfied, apparently, with their
days pleasure.
MIR. RACES SPEECH.
1t is but IA few wears since these beautiful
praires were inhabited by wild Indians.
whose untutOred heart never felt the
feelings of Il better life, but to-day by
mans labor and industry, it has been
transformed into its present fruitful con-
dition. To-day we are brought together
in this grove for no common purpose.
We have not assembled merely to enjoy
the day in festive song, or other enjoy-
ments that may present themselves. 1t
is il great pleasure for us to know. that
this present moment finds thousands of
people drawn together into some beauti-
full grove, with hearts as light as ours
dare to be. to engage in the same cere
monies as will here be observed. To-day
thoughtful minds will wander over
recorded history to those days when
aristocracy held the power, and the poor
toiling masses knew not the pleasure that
we now enjoy to-day. More titan once
did the poor try to throw off the ;oppress-
i've yoke of bondage, only TO- be driven
back by army and well ,'desciplined
Knights. ~
The heart almost sickens when looking
over recorded history anu HhulnS SO
much suffering endured before perfecs
freedom was obtained. Comparatively
speaking. the expressions that have taken
place on this continent, are the veriest
zephyrs when in comparison with the
long suffering upon the older one. Wis
ions Of sufferings and priyatlon crowd
our ancient histories, until the heart
grows sick or seeks a purer air. RevO-
lutions have shaken the earth long ere
1776, and freedom shrieked ere KOsciosko
fell. Long ere Pharsala's fields were
Redeemed with the blood of liberty loving
men, the human heart felt that all men
should be equal in rights and power.
James Otis and patrick Henry with their
trumpet tones, only stirred the embers
which were lighted in the darker years
before them.
As we are here assembled in such diff