The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-04-19
THE J. 0. Z. A. M. PARADE.
MUCH MUD, RAIN AND HAPPINESS.
Force Despite the Weather-Fiags over
the schools-Other News.
MANCHESTER BUREAU RICHMOND TIMES. !
Twelfth and Hull streets.

ORDER OF united American MECHANICS. Early
in the morning the rain came down in tor
rents aud flooded and muddied tho streets
About o'clock the rain ceased. but threaten
ing clouds still overshadowed everything but
the ardor of the Juniors. who were on the
street in full force gaily waving the American
flag, which is also the flag Of the order.
The order assembled and formed in line on
Hull street near Eighth. At 10 o'clock the
fire. bell sounded the hour and the great gath
ering-about 900 men-began moving. head
ed by the Alert Fire Company in full uniform
This body presented a splendid appearance
and were in every way worthy 10 lead the pa
rade.
New South Council followed. and the other
councils came IN the order named; Liberty
Davis. Richmond. Petersburg. Seniors. The
State Council brought up the rear. There
were three bands OF music IN the parade. and
they enllvened the occasion with excellent
martial music.
Mr.. 0. j. Merritt was chief marshal. and
his aides were MSssrs. w. r.. Smith, NJ. L.
Martin and George w. Butler.
They marched through q number OF the
principal streets and placed pretty flag over
each Of the public schools IN this city and
Swansboro.
Shortly before II o'clock the procession ar
rived at the Leader Hall. where the exercises
took place u did not take long for the large
hall to be filed with people, and in the audi
ence were q number Of pretty young ladies';
Mr. L. b. ivey. the deputy state councillor
of North Carolina and secretary TO the State
Council OF Virginia, presided.
key. Decatur Edwards. OF ClOpton-street
Baptist church. opened the proceedings with
a feryent prayer.
This was followed by singing by members
of Mrs. G. A. Harding's singing school
Hon. A. c. AttkissOn, mayor Of the city. was
then introduced TO make the welcome adj
dress and came forward amid great applause.
Mayor Attkisson, in language chsste and
beautiful. very gracefully welcomed the
many strangers 10 the city. during the
course OF his remarks he paid high comph-
ment TO the Junior Order and babe them
GOd-speed in their great and noble WORK. lie
closed his excellent speech by tender and
well chosen words relative to the great flag OF
the order. lie was frequently interrupted by
applause. and took his seat amid quite an
ovation.
Superintendent Blankingship of Chester
field. who was expected to be present and ac
cept the flag for the Swansboro school. was
detained ut home
Mr. Ben. =. Owen. Jr.. was requested to
take the place of Superintendent Banking
ship and very acceptably filled II. tie made
neat and gracefully rendered speech, and
came in for full share of applause.
The presentation OF the flags was made by
Supreme Councillor q. h. Howard. OF
Washington, who made splendid speech,
which was literally applauded.
Superintendent ID. l.. Pulllam accepted the
flags on the part OF the Manchester schools.
His remarks were both appropriate and
beautiful. and he more tnan sustained his
reputation of being one OF Manchester
ablest and most brilliant orators. lie was
literally applauded.
Rev Charles n Van Houten, of the Man
chester Presbyterian church. who was selected
as the orator of the occasion was then intro
duced. The speaker. III beautiful language,
referred 10 the principles of the Junior Order
of United American Mecbancs-vl
liberty and patrIotsm-and declared that
these constitute the greatness of our country,
and every true American would rejoice to see
these principles inculcated in the hearts OF
all There is principle behind all this dis
play that tells of the conflict and great VIC
tories we have made at Bunker Hill. Stony
Point, Saratoga and Yorktown. and have put
iii the archives Of American history the names
of Washington. Jefferson and Adams.
Here he made touching and pretty allu-
sion 10 the Revolution and the foundation Of
American independence. one OF the great
factors, said Mr.. Van Houten. that has con-
tributed % the greatness of our country 10 the
Holy Bible. By its blessed truths man IS
taught freedom of conscience freedom IN
Splrltual audIt, IecOeulllIE 10 DuJ
God himself. May we hold these truths SUI
preme and find shelter in the cleft of its
Rock of Ages. To rob our country of its
Bible and its Bible truths would make inse-
cure the superstructure OF our liberty.
About half-century ago such a spirit as
this existed when foreigners lHungariansl
combined together for the sole purpose and
selfish aim of using our Liberties for their
own selfish advantage. They placed them
selves in antagOnlsm 10 American liberty and
sought 10 get all they could out of our cOun-
try. regardless of what they gave back TO Il,
and particularly were they opposed TO Ameri-
can mechanics. Here was the use OF the
Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
In May. 1888. IN opposition 10 the principles
put forth by these Hungarian people. there
was established the first organization of the
JUNIOR order OF nlted American Mechanics.
The organization has grown until II now
numbers 400 councils and has member
shin OF fully l15.0OO men, and IN pursuance
of the principles then promulgated by the
Juniors we are here to-day u celebrate this
occasion.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Van Houten's ad-
dress rev. John j. Clopton, OF the Meade
Memorial church. delivered the benedictOn.
Though the disagreeable weather greatly
interfered with the pleasures OF the day. the
visiting Juniors seemed greatly TO ENJOY their
trjp. The Manchester boys did all IN their
mower for their entertainment.
MANY or the leaQlHB uCHDtIr Vi luo oIucl
in the State were here and participated IN the
ceremonies Among them We're Past State
Councillor William NJ. LipscOmb, OF Man
chester Past National Councillor W. f..
Orange. of Richmond: f. 4. keetOn repre-
sentative 20 the State Council; w. T. Pugh.
of Manchester. representative TO the state
Council, and D. j. Davis. deputy state coun-
cilor. 49,,
The BOYS were trihe worried by the little
interest Richmond members displayed IN
the exercises Petersburg sent delegation
about twice as rye as Richmond
MANY of the principal business houses were
prettilv decorated, as was also number Of
private residences. The city hall, over which
! is the room of the Alert Fire Company. was
very neatly decorated, the work being done
by the Alerts.
AGAIN began Then il was that the red white
and blue ball was given at Leader Hall, and
the merry dance was INDUCED IN until mid
/ NIGHT. The young ladies' were becomingly
/ nttired in pretty gowns OF red, white and
/ Nine material The grand march was led by
| Mr. Alexander Wright aud Miss Cora Powell.
! Each lady in the march carried IN her hand
a flag OF the order.
The committee of arrangements were:
Nessrs. W. f. Smith, L. A. Phillips, NJ. t.
! Martin. 0. s. Elder. j. Ii. simpson, ). L..
Mum and A. 5. Wright.
Among the ladies present were Mrs. o. l..
Merritt. Mrs. NJ. Il. Plerman. Mrs. Capa
Terry, Miss Agnes Payne, Miss Kate Conner,
Miss Matte Payne, Miss Addie Gillian. Miss
| II. Ii