The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-03-06
THE BAcnELoRs IN CouNoI1.

~NNANS
Kainit, &c.
THE BACHELORS IN COUNOIL.
An Enjoyable Reunion OF tho Protective
Union-Gsnuinc Flow OF soul, In Greatest
Profusion.
Tho Bachelors Protective Union
celebrated their fifth annual sympo-
stun, with the usual festivities, ON tho
evening of Thursday, March 1. The
hour announced forthc commencement
Of the exercises was "a p. m., and
promptly at that hour the sworn foes
Of matrimony began to gather. Ono
by ono (and occasionally two by two)
they dropped in, and at length, after
the delay usually Incident to tho gath
ing together Of n body of linc-looking
young mon, the Union was called to
order, the urbane and accomplished
Grand President ia tlfc chair.
On calling the roll, it was found that
majority of the officers were present,
and tho Union commenced thoir }abors.
The first business of public Importance
was welcoming to the ranks of those
who proclaim aloud they joys Of sim
gle life several candidates, who, after
lowering around the lighted candle of
woman's charms, had determined to
tear themselves once and forever from
temptation and danger, and go "whcrc
the wicked cease from troublimg," etc.
Great enthusiasm was manifested by
The members at the evidence Of their
growing popularity and power, as i'll
dicated by this accession to their NUM-
bers, and every preparation was made
to give the candidates aOa,n well
come. Everything bciug in readiness,
the initiates were introduced and made
members Of tho Union in ample form
and with all tho timc-honorcd cercmo-
nial appropriate to the OCCASION. II
may be possible that some features OF
the ritual would be more honorcd in
the breach than in the observance, but,
aowever this may be, we venture the
opinion that tho initiation will prove
al occasion long to be remembered by
those who participated in it.
The election Of was the next impor-
tant business. Tho Grand President
was, in spite Of his ow,, opposition,
reelected by acclumation. A like
honor was conferred upon the Grand
Vicc-President and Tho Secretary.
The big button for the most cons st
cnt member was awarded to tho Crane
Vice-Prcsident, McCants. Tho little
button for the next most consisten
member was awarded to the Crane
Prosecuting Attorney, Douglass.
Tho new initiated members were
appointed to tho following offices
E. l.. Wilson, to be Grand Captain o
F.. Tho Host; G. w. Ragsdale, to be Grant
Nlogul; 0. w. Buchanan, to bo Grant
High Chancellor; w. II. Doty, to bt
Grand Tycoon.
The Union then transacted some
routine business, after which tho of
ficers of the body and their invited
guests--a distinguished delegation from
the Bar and Prcss-prcorcdcd en- mass
to the Winnsboro Hotel, where tempt
ing banquet awaited them. Of thi
banquet suffice it to say that it wa
beautiful to the oye, luscious to th'
palate, and like the soft haze that sur
rounds far distant western hills is tht
fond reminiscenco Of it's departed joys
Peace to its ash--its crumbs.
The keen demands of appetite beins
at. last satiated, the members ffllet
their goblets 10 the brim, and the regu
lar toasts Of the evening were drank
Tho first toast in regular order was
s"The Press-as long as we havo q fear
less press, so long will tho ct,tse of til,
Bachelors be vindicated."
Responded to by Mr.. II. N. Obear
who said: .
Mr.. President and Gentlemen of tht
Bachelors Decorative Union: Tile
Press, of business has prevented M,
1roln preparing d sot oration, will
which to press upon your feeble intel
lccts In tn,pressipe language the higi
aims and noble objects of the Press.
regret this, for as the poet has said (
"Opprossed, Oh! press--oh press"
/ forget the rest, but you are all per
: tectly' familiar with the. we'll knowi
lines. @ So
Even, however, had / had abundanc,
Of time, yet tho magnitude Of the sub
ject would have appalled, mo. For. in
stance, What press? Do you wish IN,
to talk OF the vino press. the clothes
press, the express, the liberty of th'
are useful III thcir way, particular,
the wine press and tho lemon squcezcr
Presuming it to be the printing press
however, l fearlcssly state that tn,
Press is the most powerful lever
this present age. II is tho mould
sometimes tho glass of public opinion
md 80 sonetimes 1t succeeds in remunor
hting the proprietors--this, but seldom
however. The fal-reaching effects, TIL,
powerful influence and superhumai
wisdom Of tho press, is now but