The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1898-07-21
SUCCESSFUL CONVENTION.
The Cebb County Literary Union at
Oakland.


nual convention of the Cobb County
Literary Union. ut Oakland Academy
last Friday and Saturday, was one OF
the refinements Of appropriateness;
for with its noble grove of oaks its
sparkling and cooling fountain gushing
forth from the roots of monarch OF
the forest, the commanding eminence
of the situation, revealing all the beau
ties of North Georgia landscape, and
above all the delightful hospitality of
the people of the neighborhood, who
welcomed to their homes all those in
attendance, whether connected with
the societies or not, all contributed to
make this an ideal place in which to
pay court to the muse of letters.
The exercises were held in the grove,
a temporary stage bedecked for the oc-
casion, having been erected for that
purpose. After the singing of "When
the Roll is Called up Yonder" by the
choir, Earnest Willie" opened the
session with prayer. The address of
welcome was made by Mr.. II. G. Tolle-
son, and the response was by Prof. W.
E. Talley. President Barber in his
annual address, dwelt upon the diff
culties and trials experienced in the
past by the Union, uttering words of
encouragement, and outlining the work
for the future He received marked
attention.
, The regular exercises having been
entered upon, each society collectively
and every individual member thereof,
acquitted themselves, himself or her
self, in the most creditable manner.
Indeed, if we may infer from the ease
and accuracy with which the partici-
pants handled their subjects, it is quite
evident that literary activity is quite
high in the Union. Want of space for
bids detailed account of the perform
ances OF all those whose names appear
ed upon the program, and. without in
tending to make invidious distinctions,
it appeared to us that the following
named persons, other than those who
received medals were particularly
pleasing: George w. Dobbs. little Miss
Clara Jones, Miss Allene West, Miss
Alpha Hartsfeld, Miss Beulah Scott.
William Kile, Miss Alma Cocker. Miss
May Williams, Carl Kemp, Miss d.
Low, Miss Gam.
Senator Clay being present, made
magnificent address upon the impor-
lance of literacy in America in order
to counterbalance the horde of besti-
ailty and Ignorance for which, in all
probability, this country will soon be
responsible, such as Cuba, the Philip
pines, Hawaii, etc. The senator stated
that the Legislature of Massachusetts
had made an appropriation to buy
books so that any person in that state
who so desired, might read He hoped
that Georgia would do the same.
Thoughtful remarks were also made by
Earnest Willie" Rev. Ware and Rev.
Allison Johnson.
The singing by the Union Aid Society
was unusually good. One song, Just
Little Slow" was repeated number
| of times in response to enthusiastic
encores. The Mercer University rally
ing song to the tune of Hot Times in
the Old Town." by Earnest Willie"
was also greatly admired. 1t is
| musical and litararv Uam
Friday evening Earnest Willie" de-
livered his inimitable lecture, in which
humor and pathos are so strongly in
| termingled. He had large and APP
preciative audience. Mr.. I. f. Jeffries,
of Smyrna, was also to have taken part
in the program that evening, he being
| present, but on account of the latenesS
of the hour. he consented to speak next
| day. He was taken suddenly i'll dur
ing the night and Saturday was in a
critical condition, but has since recov-
cred.
The following gentleman contested
for the Upshaw medal for impromptu
speaking: W. +. Talley, J. W. Gaines
$. p. McElreath, Fred II. McCleskey
The subject was, Resolved, That the
world is growing better" The judges
Messrs. Harrison, Daniel, and Johnson
awarded this medal to W. +. Talley
In the contest of the societies, Union
Aid received the banner. The judges
of this contest were Messrs. J l.. Born
7. O. McClain, Thomas Morgan, Ed
ward Kemp and Allison Johnson.
Medals were also awarded to the fol-
lowing: Luster Osborn Walter Nc
Lain, Miss Maggie Talley and Walter
McCleskey. The presentation speech
es were made by MesSrs. John Cheney
Sewell, Barber and McElreath
The attendance at this maatiup woC