The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-07-14

BIG DAY AT SOUTH FORK
Ceteorcfszg me feLth AnHjrsrssry Of tho SIGNING Of
- Banquet al Irhich saf Modern Ciceros-J bar
utisted Addresses-''A Feast Of Reason and Fiesc
o. Soul
Especial Correspondence of CAMBR1A FnEExAN
THOMAS HOUSE. South Fork July 10, 1882
Yesterday Sunday the flag on the Thomas
House did not futter in the breeze there being no
nag 70 nutter and no breeze to cause any iutter-
ing There was an unusual quiet at South Fork,
and one of its spirited citizens noticing the tor
July was the anniversary of one Of the impor-
tant events of the American Revolution. suggest
ed the propriety Of commemoratins the event next
day. The most distinguished citizens of the place
took kindly to the idea, and after considering the
suggestion and remembering at the same time
that they had no centennial anniversary of their
own to glorify, nor indeed anything over which TO
entnuSe, resolved upon commemorating the 1O4th
aauhlversary Al the signing AT the Articles Of Con-
federation and Perpetual Union and. strange as
it may seem to the rest of the American people to
the citizehs OF South Fork Is due the credit Of
memoering and recognizing the fact that the
9th day of July, 1TTs, one hundred and four years
SSgo were signed AZ Phiiadelphia the Articles Of
Confederatian and Perpetual Union between the
Colonies Of New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massa-
chusetts, Rhode Island. New York, New Jersey,
pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia
Georgia. North Carolina and South Carolina.
Inc commemoratiOn Of this important event be-
ing determined upon, early this morning the pa
trlotlc South Forkers. without fireworks FIRE
and enthusiasm with which they commenced the
celebration from the start was au assured success
NeNer was a revolutionary event celebrated with
greater eclat. The occasion was honored by the
presence of number of distinguished gentlemen
from different sections Of this broad land who par
tteipated in the celebratian with a decided relish
Especially did one distinguished individual hail
ing rom the National Capital act conspicuous
part in the proceedings and general performances
Of the day. ] have not time to write much, and
therefore viii ccnhne myself entirely to the pro-
ceedings at the banquet. which was the great dis
tinguishing feature Of the occasion. Judge John
ID Thomas, who occupied the post of honor at tho
table, made the Introductory speech. After hav-
ing spoken eloquently OF the Importance Of the
event then being celebrated, he concluded his ad-
dress in the following expressive words: "We live
in an era of celebrations Anniversaries. II they
90 no other work than bring to mind the dead he
roes OF the past deserve tittingiy to he cOmmemo-
rated: In all civilized countries at the present
uay the people delight to revere the past-to com
memorate great social. political and religious in
stitutions. and pay honor to the originators. An
nlversaries recall not only the but the events
OF the past By anniversaries the scroll Of history
is unrolled and made to pass before US as a pano-
rama. he spoke ably and eloquently Of the ma
tion's past, present and future-of what it once
was. is now, and what it will be, promising it a
Isaac Wike. Esq. before the announcement of
the regular toasts made a few weil-timed and very
forcible remarks. In speaking Of the present an
nivcrsary and anniversaries in general he spoke
as follows: The custom of concentrating great
events, such as the are celebrating to-day,
Is worthy one, and the sentiment inspiring it is
a noble and elevating one. At anniversaries we
learn history more pleasantly and easily than at
any other time or in any other manner. We feel
pleasant, living interest in them. they being a
part Of our life and our age BY anniversaries the
past is made present. Thew bring before US the
great men of the past Theirs were the master
minds that fashioned our glorious institutions
one we must learn il we would preserve what they
originated, so as to hand their work down unim-
paired TO our posterity. When we honor the foun-
ders of institutiOns-when we contemplate
their virtues energies and genius and studv their
wOrks-we drink at the fountain source and grow
strong morally and mentally. The chasm Of time
Is spanned-the past and the present linked
together, and the continuity Of history is estab-
Upon the conclusion of Mr.. Wilkes remarks the
toasts were announced. but there having been no
previous selection made of gentlemen to respsnd
TO the respeetiue sentiments offered, they at
Ra 70 oil xuoc
there bungl1ng delay about responding to the
Bench and Bar" 1t was probably on account OF
the banqueters not understanding precisely what
kind Of a bench and bar meant. Happily.
however, guest from Pittsburgh, who appeared
to comprehend the condition Of things, and bein
equal to the emergency, came to the by
rtslng and volunteering to that he some
what familiar with the kind of bench and ba 7
exalted opinion of the bench and bar gentlemen
they had of themselves yet he was always willing
to give the devil his due, and would say that
s1Onally a bench or bar gentleman was to be met
with who had some pretenSiOns to honor and hon.
esty, and who could at times tell the truth but
that he did not consider them proper subjects 10
be toasted on an occasion so important and inter
esttng as the present one. Mr.. Shaffer's remarks
were received with unbounded applause. From
that on there was no bunglng, and the proceed
1ngs were rich. rare and racy. 1t delightful
TO listen to the eloquent responses of Cam brta IS
modern CcerOs. regret that their speeches could
not be reported. Shorthand reporters were pres
ent but their stencils were idle. No reporter, nc
stenoRTapher that ever lived, could do Justice "a
the powerful speeches Of these trum pet t-tongued
mOuntaineers. shall. therefore, not attempt IL,
though in my next letter shall endeavor TO give
your readers some idea OF the transcendant elo-
quence which fell from their lips on this great and
! glorious occasion. Yours, &c, O. N s