Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1895-07-10
WASHING TON COLLEGE.

good citizens of the United States were
welcome to assemble at this sacred and
historic place to do honor to the ami
versary of the declaration of Americas
independence; as the morning advanced
the lovers of liberty came from the
hills and %vallies, from the cities, towns
and hamlets, and when the bell from
the chapel tower pealed out in clear
tones the signal for all to assembly at
and around the beautifully decorated
stage that had been arranged under the
skillful direction of that faithful one,
Miss Matte NJ. Rankin, who is ever
ready to lend her counsel and use of
her willing hand to do anything that
pertains to good and happiness of
others. Doctor Willoughby from the
stage announced in a few remarks
characteristic of himself and appropri-
ate to the occasion, the object of the
meeting, and called upon Rev. D. N.
Good to ask the di vine blessing upon
what was to follow. Mr.. Good respond
ed in a very eloquent and appropriate
prayer: then music by Miss Della Bell
West from the organ, accompanied by
many sweet, harmonious voices; after
this Miss Pearl Huffman, who indeed
is a pearl of great price" rendered a
recitation that caused all to keep silent,
then again music was heard from the
organ, after which Miss Della b. West
read with precision in a clear and mod
ulated voice, the declaration made and
signed by our fathers of three genera.
tons ago, that gave birth to a nations
freedom and independence; after many
hard fought battle to the citizens of
North America, these liberties and
rights have been transmitted to us, and
we keenly appreciate the privileges
thus bequeathed and sealed by the
blood and treasure of our ancestors.
Next DIR. Willoughby, after some COM
plimentary remarks of what had been
said, notified the large audience that
n was now to follow who would
convince his hearers that he knew
what the Declaration of Independence
meant, then called for the Hon. E. D.
Duncan for a speech. Mr.. Duncan at
once appeared on the stage, and he was
clean, neat and ready, made a very
handsome appearance; to say he was
eloquent and beamed in his remarks
would be to put it mildly; he beat him
self and delighted all who heard him
and was loudly cheered by all. Then
came the joyful announcement that
there were many well filled baskets on
the grounds, and all who loved good
things to eat would find plenty of in
vitations to help their friends to par.
take of the choice viands that had been
so beautifully prepared by the good
danes and fair daughters of the sur
rounding community. Soon there were
many cloths spread beneath the grand
old oaks on the college campus, and
these cloths were covered with every
thing that was necessary to satisfy the
cravings of the most f%astiduous appe-
titles. We think all present received
more than one invitation to dine with
some friend, and that some refused to
partake from the well covered cloth of
at least n friend is quite natural.
After dinner the bell again sounded for
all to repair to the seats around the
stage; soon we had more original talk
from DR.. Willoughby, and then DR..
William Smith, a former resident of
this vicinity, and one who received
more than forty years ago his educa.
ton at this college, was called for and
made his appearance upon the stage.
He was dlgnified and venerable and
his remarks were appropriate to the
place, its past and present environ.
ments, and the Doctor felt what he said,
and all, especially those of us who knew
him years ago, knew that all he said
was true, and we all appreciated and
applauded what he said. Doctor, come
again; we like you. Then we heard
but what few of us were expecting-a
short, but as Rev. B. B. Bigler says
zone of the most impressive sermons of
the age" a recitation delivered by one
of Limestone's brightest girls, Miss
Irene Archer. Irene, you are an elo-
c%utionist by nature of the very highest
Older. Then came what most of US
were expecting-one of the finest pieces
of historical facts that any man can
put together in so few we'll connected
sentences; this gem of thought was
eloquently delivered by Rev. b. b.
Blgler, of Jonesboro, Tennessee. Then
Doctor Willoughby said it was his Gus.
tom to ask for contributions at all large
gatherings, and he did not feel that he
would be treating the large and atten-
tive audience with that courtesy due
them if he did not ask them for q con
tribution% appropriate to the occasion;
he then asked them not to say they
had left their pocket books at home,
for he only wanted all present to join
in the signingof America; and when
Miss West summoned the key note
from the organ all arose, and l tell
you the voices of the multitude made
melody throughout the grand old for
est; then came the benediction from
Rev. B. B. Bigler, and all seemed to be
pleased with what they had seen and
heard throughout the day. The even