Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 20.djvu/342

 336 Southern Historical Society Papers.

ville station to the Buford Hotel. After breakfasting Mayor Brevard and the members of the Executive committee Called at the hotel and escorted the party to the Central Hotel, from the balcony of which they were to review the parade. Governor Holt was sick and unable to be present.

He deputed the pleasant task of welcoming the guests to Adju- tant General James D. Glenn, who received them in the parlors of the Central Hotel, and escorted them to the balcony. Other mem- bers of the Governor's staff and of the staff of the Governor of South Carolina were present in full uniform. Senator Hill's appear- ance on the balcony was greeted with prolonged cheering from the crowd which lined the sidewalks.

THE PROCESSION.

The procession formed at the junction of Tryon and Ninth streets. In the line were the Governor's Guards and Zouaves, of Columbia; the Fayetteville Light Infantry, the Guilford Grays, of Greensboro ; the Hornet's Nest Riflemen and Queen City Guards, of Charlotte, and the Iredell Blues, Cabarras Black Boys, Cleveland Guards and Southern Stars, of the Fourth regiment, and holding the last place in the line, the Naval Artillery, of Charlotte. The column moved at 10 o'clock, passing under the massive arch at the intersection of Tryon and Trade streets. It passed the reviewing balcony, and then moved down south Tryon street to a large field, which had been selected for the military manoeuvres. When the procession had passed the reviewing stand, Senator Hill and his party were escorted to carriages and driven to the battle-field, where they had an excel- lent view of a very spirited sham battle. From the battle-field they went to the Auditorium, where an enormous crowd had gathered to hear the senator's speech. The Rev. Edward Mack opened the ceremonies with an invocation. After the reading of the Mecklen- burg Declaration of Independence, Senator Hill was introduced.

SENATOR HILL'S ADDRESS.

He said :

To-day, this 2Oth day of May, in the one hundred and sixteenth year of American Independence, we come to celebrate the one hun- dred and seventeenth year of North Carolinian independence. We stand upon historic ground ! A birthday of liberty! The birthplace of liberty !