The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-07-21
LOCAL CoRREspoNnENCE.
MORE ABOUT THE BIG DAY AT SOUTH FOR
THOMAS House. July H. IsS.

MORE ABOUT THE BIG DAY AT SOUTH FORK.
THOMAS HOUSE, July IL, 1882.
DEAR MoPIEE-I concluded my last letter by
saying that could do justice to the powerful
speeches OF the trumpet-tongued mOuntaineers
who paid forensic tribute at South Fork on Mon
day last, to the 104th anniversary of the Signing
OF the Articles of Confedera tion and Perpetual
Union, and repeat here that their eloquent words
could not have been successfully reported.
AS well might you 20 bid the mountain pines
TO wae their high tops, and make no noise.
when they are tretted with the gusts Of heaven -
as TO try 70 give the fantest idea Of the glorious
efforts OF the aforesaid mountaiDeers The speecb-
es, though unprepared were unexceiIed Escb
orator seemed TO be warmed with Cambra's IA
nous Mountain Ambrosia The affective svmpa-
thettc or facetious predominated in every speech
IN responding TO the toast The American Army ~
a Cambria veteran a hero OF three wars Cen sam
5. Paul, astounded the audience with the vehe.
menee OF his elOquence. When he first opened
the cavern conventionaIly called his mouth there
silence deep "a death even the boldest4 mold
est holding their breath for a time. As he slowly
swept the horizon or rather the pent-ur Utica Of
the banquet room, every eye quailed under his ca
gle gaze and further along. when he had become
t Matnea up oy the subject, his paper shirt collar
bursted its fastenings, laying bare his bravnv
he shonted:
Thy spirit independent let me share
,s LoTd gtI OF ne tI, lion heart and eagle eye;
MOI heed the storm that howls along the sky
As the thunders Of the stern veterans efouuence
resounded, all the citizens came f1ocking to hear
ana oI course took deep interest in the vOcifer-
Gus harangue. It was indeed a big era for the pa
triOtic South FOrkers, and nothing but a big ear
was competent to drink in the fervid utterances
Of the Inspired Paul.
But the great speech Of the occasion was deliv-
cred by one of the irrepressible Smith family. 1t
viii be matter of sincere pride to every American
citizen that No less parsonage than Augustus
OctayusfBrutus Smith, the distinguished gentle
man alluded to in my previous epistle as hailfng
nom the National Capital, old ''sea dog" who
nad sailed the briny ocean under the auspices Of
the noted ex-Secretary Of the Navy widely and ia
miIiarly known as the Boiled Lobster" :" Jumped
up 10 respond to the toast ''IEe American Navy -
There was something exceedingly touching in this
mariner friend of the Boiled LOBSTER volunteer
ing cheerful AYE, ave, sIrl'' when the A meri-
can Navy was toasted. II showed how the old fire
viii still burn-how the smell of the salt sea can
not be obliterated even on TOP of the AIegneny
mountain by the perfume of the rhododendrou
Mysgreat regret IS that I cannot report this old
tars speech on how the ssT3otIed aI.tersr9 ,I,
quent friend thundered in ''pOop deck style ;
how he tackled and filled with linguaI mysteries
how he bore down on the luckless land-lubbers
with all his Oratorical sails set apeak. What he
said. II 9rieyes me to tell. will never be known.
None but the sweet little cherub who sits up aoft
viii eyer ne able to record It.. oh tnat Aunt Jane
Swisshelm. Phoebe COzzens, Annie Dfckenson. and
all the strong minded feminines Of the land could
nave mad the ineXpreSsible felicity Of hearing the
thunders Of eloqnence resounding thro' that ban
quet halli The wide scope taken in the discussion
Of each subject showed a deep maturity Of thought
much deeper, indeed than might have been ex-
pected. The celebration throughout was a most
enjoyable and edifying affair.
Monday last was truly a gala day at South Fork.
The citizens of this mountain gfrt village have the
honor-aye, the proud satisfaction--of alone cele-
bTating an anniversary which all true Americans
should glOrify with enthusiastic spirit Cambria
county has lust cause TO be proud Of her spirited
South Forkians, they being the only citizens Of
any village, town city in any county. State or
Territory In the Union who honored the IO4th an
niversary OF one of the most momentous and mem
oraole events In the history OF our country.
had almost forgotten to mention that some
thing universally occurring at all anniversary ban
quets did not take place on this interesting occa-
sion. viz: There were letters received from dis
ungutshed gentlemen who found 1t impossible to
attend. q. N. 5.