Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-07-08

Ot American independence was CeleOrateu III tills
CITY. on Monday the 5th instant, with great ell
thusiasm by a la ge and respectable assembly Of
Mechanics and other friends of the American
system. Internal improvements, and HENRY
Clay. Shortly after breakfast the people began
10 assemble on the open field near the mall, at
the place selected by the Committee of Arrange
ments as the scene of the celeb alton. The spa
cious area in which the dinner tables had been
fixed was one hundred feet long, and fifty feet
broad land contained four tablesrunning the length
of the room, except the space occupied by table
placed transversely in the centre. This edItice
was erected in one day By the voluntary labor of
portion of the guests 1t was defended from
the sun BY a roof speedily but compactly made,
over which loated the American flag. with lis
beautiful variety of cO!ors and two other flags.
one bearing the inscription of Internal Improve
ments, and the other that of the American Sys-
tenn In the same line With them. and at few
yards distance. a standard inscribed with the
name of HENRY CLAY. was hosted under
national salute. on the ground near the artillery.
In front of the temporary building, and nearly
adjacent to it, platform and awning were raised.
to accommodate the reader Of the Declaration 81
Independence. and the Orator. Between ! and
o'clock these gentiemen. Together with the
chairman of the Committee of Arrangements, took
their seats. The Declaration of Independence
was then read BY Mr.. NATHAN Smith, pret4Ccd
by brief but most impressive address, which was
repeatedly interrupted by the enthusiastic cheer
ings of the audience. Mr. RICHARD :. CoSE
then pronounced an Grafton, characterized by MS
usual ability and patriotism. which fixed the pro-
found attention of the audience and called forth
atfrequentintervals their most animated applause
The Orator took mastery view at the history
of the American system, aud of is vitality 10 the
event which they we're celebrating; aHyoiied tie
motives and tendency Of the course of the present
Administration in regard I" IT, as we'll as the 9th
or features Of their policy: teeIn ~ depicted the
alarming crisis IN pubic affairs which their fac
tiousness and mcompetency had produced; and
then called the attention Of the assembly to the
banner proudly streaming near them, Inscribed
with the name which Is Unidentified with the best
hopes of the Republic. At every aIlusion in the
Grafton to the character and services OF Mr.. Clay,
and to tie prospects Of the country AZ connected
with him. the air resOunded with raDtUrOus ac-
clamation5 from the assembled multitude.
After the exercises were finished. The assem-
bly, of citizens passed short interval in prone
nading about the ground and exchanging saiuta-
tons with each other. About half past three
O'Clock the company, consisting of several hun
dred persons. sat down 20 an excellent and sump-
tuous dinner, which had been prepared under the
direction of Mr.. JAMES KENNEDY. Mr.. ". w.
SENroN oficiated as President of the Day, assist
ed BY Mr.. JACOB A. BENDER, and other gentle
men. as Vice Presidents. Among the viande pro-
duCed on the occasion, was a large and fine OK,
which was placed. nearly in It's original form, on
the centre table: novelty for whi h the cOmpa-
rs are understood to have been indebted to the
patriotic iDerality of one of their fellow citizens.
An unex pected incident added 10 the variety of
the scene. An equestrian corps which had just
arrived ln'the city. made several circuits, during
dinner, around the dining hail; their horses being
richly caparisoned, aud moving TO strains of mar
tial music. After dinner. REGULAR t0asts. pre-
pared by the Committee If Arrangements.
were drunk; and afterwards large number of
volunteer toasts. Short and appropriate address
es were made by Mr.. SEAroN and tlr. BENDER.
At the ardent aud unanimous call of the compa-
nv, Gen WALTER JONES assembled an cminence
within the hall, and addressed them for fifteen or
| twenty minutes, in tribute to the character of
Mr.. CLAY. between whom and himself an init
mate friendship. which commenced IN early life,
has ever since subsIsted This beautiful specimen
OF eXtemporary eloquenCe was directed to the un-
derStandipgs IS well aS.to the hearts of the audi
ence. Indeed, we doubt whether the rapturous
applause which the address ELECTED. during It's
ueH'erv and at Its close. was so striking a trlb-
ute to ITS merit. as was the anxiety, visible long
AFTER the hrst gush of feeling was over, of the
company to impress on each other, in conversa-
uon, some OF It's leading topics.
Alter a succession of patriotic sentiments the
company adjourned at seasonable hour, nothing
having occurred to interrupt, in the slightest de-
gree.their harmony and good feeling. Jour.
Afatal accidental the celebration of the Ami
versarv in this city. has deprived US of valua-
BILE respectable citizen, and added one lesson
more to the thousand warnings against the use of
he!d-pieces on such occasions BY persons not suf-
hciently accustomed to them. Though not be-
longing to the Artillery Company, (he did once
belong to 1t, but for three wears has been over
the militia age Mr.. JOIN DuxNING. victualler,
undertook TO attend one of the guns from which
discharges were fired after the Toasts, at the
Dinner on the common. He had sponsed the
piece. rammsd down the cartridge, aud placed