Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1881-10-15
and Gloucester, Surrendered the Army,

OF the present Defensive Alliance
Is to maintain effectively
The Liberty, Sovereignty, and Independence,
Absolute and Unlimited,
Of the said United States,
As well in mattsrs of Government as of Com
merce.
The Provisional Articles of Peace,
Concluded November 80, 1872,
And the Definite Treaty of Peace,
Concluded September 8, 1888,
Between the United States of America
And George I'LL,
King of Great Britain and Ireland,
Declares
His Britannia Majesty acknowledges the said
United States, viz.
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Bay,
Rhode Island, and Providence Plantation,
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia,
North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia,
To be
Free and Sovereign and Independent States.
During the present month will occur
the centennial anniversary of one of the
most important events which the history
of our country has ever yet recorded
the surrender of the British army, un-
der Lord CORVALLIS, to the allied
lIOODS Va dho plO hliCA1Suu
Colonies, at Yorktown.
The facts concerning that event,
which gave freedom to the Western
hemisphere, and secured, we trust. for
ever, republican government to our
people, are too we'll known to need a
repetition here, but a description of the
proposed ceremonies, will no doubt be
interesting to our readers.
While rejoicing in the success of our
forefathers, which secured our indepen-
dence and brought into existence the
most perfect structure of human govern
ment the world has ever beheld, and
while thus celebrating that glorious
victory, we should be careful to remem-
ber that the very foe with whom they
battled so fercely, and from whom by
untold sacrifices was wrested our ma
tional existence. are closely allied to us
by every bond of interest which SINH
larity of language, inclinations, tastes
and laws can dictate ; and that in the
prosecution of business, it's ramifcations
have become SO interlaced between the
two nations, that the success of the one
is synonymous with the welfare of the
other While remembering this we
should endeavor to make our celebra-
tion of such an exalted character, as to
leave no room for an accusation of sell
fishness in our patriotic ardor, or to be
reproached with offering insult to
| nation, which though formerly our
sternest enemies, are now our firmest
friends.
The programme prepared by the
| Nopt oyp,o1 coooiofioy, oovarc
period of fourteen days, from October
9th to October Goth though the official
ceremonies will consume but four days,
October 18th, 10Th, goth and 2lst, these
will be under the exclusive control of
the Yorktown Congressional Commits
sion during these ceremonies the York
town Centennial Association will have
no authority in the premises, but will
probably be assigned some honorary
position, which their eminent services
in securing the celebration SO we'll
deserves.
The music will be one of the chief
features of the occasion. Professor
Charles L. Siegel, of Richmond, who
has charge of the vocal portion, has
been assiduously training for the past
two months chorus of three hundred
voices, and although he has expert
enced much difficulty in bringing them
to proficiency capable of rendering in
pleasing way the several airs selected,
he still hopes by the time the cere-
monies begin they will have been suffi-
ciently trained to sing the parts with
ease and in manner not unsatisfactory
to a critical ear The instrumental
portion will be under the direction OF
Professor j. Phillip Sioussa, leader Of
the Marine band at Washington. This
together with Dodsworth's Thirteenth
regiment band of New York, are the
only bands which have been, so far, en-
gagged by the official managers, though
there will be plenty of music brought
by the militia of the several States, and
by the civic associations. to make il
continuously lively.
On Tuesday, October 18th, the Presi
dent and his cabinet, the congressiona
commission, the governors and com
missioners of the States and the guests
of the nation will be received by thu
Governor of Virginia and his staff il
Lafayette Hall at IL A. M.
The chairman of the joint commission
of Congress, Hon. John W. Johnston
United States Senator from Virginia
will call the assembly to order at l.
o'clock noon, at the monument site.
Prayer by Rev. Robert Nelson, grand
son of Governor Nelson, of Virginia
who commanded the Virginia militi
during the siege of Yorktown.
The Star Spangled Banner by thre
hundred voices, under the Leadership
of Professor Charles L. Seigel, of Rich
mond, Va. The accompaniment by tn
Marine Band.
Address of welcome by His Excellenc
f. W. M. Holiday, Governor of Vii
ginia.
a The Marsellaise Hymn by the choru