| From the Marshall (Tex.) Republican |
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| May 4, 1861 |
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| Trip to Jonesville |
| Those
of our home readers who were denied the pleasure of a visit to
Jonesville on Wednesday last missed a rich treat.
Seldom has an occasion presented itself among the many
delightful excursions we have taken, in which there were so many
pleasing incidents, and none where all that appeals to the higher and
nobler feelings of our nature were more abundantly gratified. It
was one of the loveliest days of a most lovely Spring.
Nature ever beautiful at this season, seemed unusually prodigal
in the rich and varied profusion of its flowers and foliage. |
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"Morning its sweets were flinging, |
| O'er
each bower and spray," |
| as with light
and joyous hearts our Marshall
friends set out for the scene of anticipated pleasure. |
| With
characteristic liberality, Mr. C. E. Hynson, General Superintendent of
the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, not only went to considerable
expense in fitting up the cars for the occasion, but in a spirit of
true patriotism agreed
to transport the Marshall Guards over the road free of charge during
the year. He also informed
the company at Jonesville that all who desired to attend the meetings
at Marshall, on the 4th and 11th, could go over the road
free on those days. This
we conceive is worthy of honorable mention.
Everything was done by Mr. Hynson and the officers, agents, and
employees of the road to render the trip agreeable.
Several hundred went from Marshall, a considerable number were
brought from the Lake terminus and along the line of road; others
residing in the country contiguous, in Elysian Fields and Glade
Springs neighborhoods, and from other points came in carriages,
buggies, and on horseback, and by 11 o'clock there was such a number
on the ground as had never before been seen in Jonesville. |
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A spacious arbor had
been erected, with seats, in the centre of which was the stand,
gracefully festooned with flowers.
Between 11 and 12 o'clock the Texas Hunters and Marshall Guards
formed into line, and marched under the spirit-stirring notes of the
fife and drum, in front of the stand, which, in the meantime had been
occupied by a number of beautiful ladies.
Conspicuous among this lovely coterie, sat in regal beauty the
"Queen of May," the ceremony of whose Coronation was
deferred for another occasion. |
|
Prayer was offered up
by Rev. W. C. Dunlap. And
such a prayer! It carried
us back to the historic days of the Revolution of 1776.
It breathed no spirit of hatred or ambition; it contained no
high sounding sentences to please the ear or captivate the
imagination. It was the
simple, unostentatious prayer of the true christian, who deplored war,
and who desired the hearts of our enemies might be changed, and that
peace might speedily follow. But
if war must come, that in this, "the day of our extremity,"
we would lean upon the God of our Fathers for support and succor;
asking that wisdom, and virtue, and prudence might direct our
counsels, and guide and nerve us for the conflict. |
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The prayer ended, Miss
Eudora C. Perry, in behalf of the ladies of Jonesville, delivered a
rich and beautiful flag to the "Texas Hunters," accompanying
it with a speech which elicited the highest admiration.
It contained many eloquent passages, and combined
appropriateness of thought, felicity of expression, and purity of
diction. But if the speech
itself was beautiful it was enhanced by the unaffected simplicity,
modesty, and depth of feeling with which it was delivered. Mr. Frank
Blocker received the flag in behalf of the "Texas Hunters."
He is a young man of nineteen years of age, possessing all the
glowing ardor and enthusiasm of youth, and we naturally expected his
reply to the admirable address of Miss Perry, would present rather a
beautiful fancy sketch, than the reflections of a man dealing with
grave realities. But we
were disappointed. With
singular clearness and force, he recounted the history of the
agitation which has resulted in the dismemberment of the Union; the
sacrifices that the South had made to allay it; the patience and
forbearance she had exhibited; the appeals made to the north for
justice; and, at last, when forced to a separation, the repeated
efforts to render the separation peaceable.
There were many glowing passages in this address, which
elicited the liveliest applause. His
allusion to the flag, and the fair donors was beautiful and
impressive. |
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After these speeches
were delivered, Messrs. A. Pope, John T. Mills, and John B. Webster,
were respectively called out, and responded in patriotic and eloquent
addresses. Our space
prevents us from noticing them at length.
There never was a more united, determined, and enthusiastic
people than those of Harrison, and we believe they furnish a fair index of public sentiment
throughout the Southern States. |
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After the delivery of
the speeches, dinner was announced.
The neighborhood of Jonesville has ever been noted for its
liberality and hospitality, and on this occasion the spirit of the
people was fully manifested. The
barbecue was decidedly the best we have ever attended in
Harrison
county. The meats were
admirably cooked, and, in addition, there was a profusion of pound
cake, custards, and other delicacies.
Such was the abundance, that there was enough left to have fed
almost as many more as were in attendance.
After dinner, the military companies, (the Marshall
Guards and Texas Hunters) paraded in the beautiful grove to the
admiration of all who were present.
The Texas Hunters are all young, fine-looking men, and we
venture to say if called into active service will give a good account
of themselves. They are
commanded by Captain Winston, of whom it is only necessary to say,
that he is eminently worthy of such a company. |
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No incident occurred
during the day to mar the pleasure of the scene.
The cars returned near sundown, freighted with the delighted
passengers, who were profuse in their compliments of Jonesville and
its neighborhood. In
behalf of those who attended from Marshall, and of ourself individually, we embrace the occasion to express the
kindness and hospitality, with which we were all received and
entertained.
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