Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1899-07-06

The White Shields OF the Valley and
their families and friends invaded the
precincts of our hustlng town Tuesday
July 4th in overwhelming numbers,
and that they enjoyed She day goes
without saying. From the time when
the first vehicle arrived in the morning
until tho South Pittsburg contingent
departed on their special train of five
coaches in the evening, enjoyment and
good will ruled Everyone seemed to
appreciate the fact that it was a holi-
day, and everyone both tried to enjoy
it themselves and make it enjoyable for
their friends and neighbors. Good fell
lowship ana fraternity was thoroughly
in evidence, and the order maintained
was OF the best kind.
At sos a. m. the first train rolled in
with six coaches loaded with people
and as soon AS all had disembarkeu a
procession was formed and headed by
Mai W. H. Hunter and other notabes
the two Whitwell conclaves marched to
the News office, keeping step to the
martial music Of their local brass band,
where they received the national en-
sign belonging to Post So, G. A. R., and
with Old Glory floating proudly in the
breeze the procession marched to the
school house grove where seats had
been arranged for the visitors.
AT 1NOO a. m. the second train of Ave
coach@ arrived from the lower valley
likewise heavily loaded with White
Shielders-tho Bridgeport and South
Pittsburg Conclaves and their families.
These likewise marched to the picnic
grounds where their comrades were al
ready assembled, and the exercises OF
. the day we're begun.
The first number on the program, the
National Anthem, was rendered by the
band in good style. An eloquent pray.
er was then offered by Rev. II, II. Con,
nor, chaplain of the local conclave, and
Prot IL. Il. Tate read the Declaration
of Independence in an effective manner
Then the band played and everyone
beat time to the measure The music
seemed to strike a popular chord
and everyone seemed to enjoy it
Mr.. NJ. L. Hicks, of Whitwell, theI
made a splendid address and gained
frequent applause by his manly utter.
ances. Mr.. Hicks made lots of gooG
points and we are sorry we could no
have secured his speech for publishing
More music followed. Maj. w. H. Hun
ter, of Birmingham, Supreme Recorder
of the Order was then introduced by
presiding officer Thos. II. Hill, and h'
engrossed the attention of his audience
in the speech we print below.
Regent Commander, Queens and Re
gents of the White Shield, Ladies ant
Gentlemen.
1t has been said that an honest con
fesson is good for the soul" Sicknes
and an unusual press Of business ha
prevented me from making such prepar
atiOns as would have liked to hav
done TO properly fill Supreme Judg
Advocates appointment here to DAY
But my speech will please you for it
brevity if for nothing more, and whe'
dinner is announced l may surprise yo
all.
Lam here aS representative of tn
Supreme COnclavs OF the Regents Of tn
White Shield to aid you in ceebratin
IA suyar ~ A. Ind
ence, and with you to renew our allie
glance to God, our country and our Aag
For nowhere under the blue caLopy O
heaven, does tho sun shino upon Ian
80 fair, or a people so prosperous an
happy as in our own beloved America
q land which opens wide its arms TO th
wn-trodden OF the world, a land Of th
best aspirations Of man, bounded Onl
by the oceans which roll between Tn
continents, and reaches away from r.
gions OF almost eternal SHOWS 20 th
ever-blooming flowers Of the tropic.
We have out-stripped the world ia wa
and peace and yet the sun Of first Ger
tennial has just gone down. Who live
with a vision so great, an imaginatiO
so grand, or tongue so prophetic as
portray the mystic splendors, and ma
ional glories that viii enter on the mOI
Of our second Centenniel?
Abraham Lincoln said in his immo
mortal speech az Gettysburg, "Wh
atonstitutes our bulwark OF America
Independence? Not our frowning battl
ments, nor our br.stling sea coasts, OF
army, or our navy. These are our T
lance against foreign foes. Our hu
wark Is that spirit is American nobili'
which prizes our land an3 flag as
priceless heritage bHQuearhai by mob
sIros 90 patriotic sons. Destroy O.