Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-07-07
From the National Journal of Uednesdn,

From the National Journal of Ued,,esdcv
The celebration Of the Anniversary of our In.
dependence, by the National Republicans a
Washington, was truly heart-cheering and ora.
tl!ying spectacle. We saw exhibited the bon.
and muscle of our communicable Worku,
men of the city, and all that constitute, o.,
strength and our responsibility. With determj.
nation that nothing can daunt--a resolution
which nothing can appal-conscious Of their
rights, and feeling their own power--they assem-.
bled under the very eye of their rulers. to pro.
claim their independence of the will of the tx.
eoutive; their determination to oppose his arbtrs.
ry misrule, and 10 lend their excrtiOns to Gle.
vate to the seat of power The object of the pec.
pies choice and deliberate Judgment.
The procession Of the Association of Work.
ing-men was formed at about noon, under the 81.
perintendance Of Mr.. VIM. Prentiss, the Chief
Marsha of the dav, and his assistants, to the
City Hall, where there was collected large and
respectable audience. male and female, to listen
to the Declaration of Independence and the Ora.
ton. The former was read by Col. Force, the
latter was delivered by Mr.. FendalI
The room appropriated to the occasion, was
filled to overfluwing, and animated by the SIGH,
Of 50 many auditors, the Orator executed with
equal taste and talent, the duty assigned to him.
Ii IS not III our power to give the course of OBJ
servations made by Mr.. FendaIl.-It was
splendid and beautiful production. For elevated
flights Of ore'ory; for lofty patriotism; for pun
gent and bitter sarcasm; for pointed wit; and
for fclicitous classical alusion, il was worthy Of
the orator and OF the occasion. We trust tina,
in few days it will be in our power to Law il be-
fore our readers.
From the City Hall, the company proceeded
to the place which had been selected for the fes
tiyities OF the day. Adjoining the venerable
''Mansion House" on the margin of the river
preparations had been made by the Committee
OF Arrangements, in style highly creditable to
to their taste and judgment. In front Of th.
ground which had been enclosed for the occasion,
the open field was crowded with tents, which
gave II picturesque appearance, resembling
that of an Arabian encampment. The first Oh.
ject which met the eye of the visiter on an.
preaching the gate. was lofty flag staff, with
banner, inscribed with the name of H ENRY CLAY,
bravely streaming on the wind, the gate was sur.
mounted with finely turned arch, over which,
as The company entered, stood the beautiful
standard OF the " Association of Mechanics and
and other Working Men, The three tables
provided for the reception Of the dinner were
each 100 feet IN length, with seats on each side,
extending throughout the whole line, and were
covered with plank, except towards the summit,
which was covered with canvass. Verdan:
boughs were gIacefuIy distributed about the roof;
at the west end OF the middle table was placed
a likeness OF the Father Of his country, and 4.
the south end, that of HENRY CLAY.
The banner Of "lnterna improvements, - and
that of the american System" Hoated over the
tables. About three O'Clock, the company, in
number between three and four hundred. sat doaa
to an excellent and sumptuous dinner, FURNISHED
by our fel0w-citizen, Mr.. James Kennedy
Thomas Monroe, the President of the day. wa,
assisted by Richard S. Coke, Nathan Smith.
George Sweeny, Jacob A. Bender, DIR. Henri
Hunt, Henry Smith, George Watterston, AMI
Philip Mauro, as Vice-Presldents. Atinterya,
between the toasts, the company was RECALLED BY
fine music from the Amateur Band of the Wash
inston Guards; and when the regular toast in hO
nor OF HENRY CLAY was drunk, revolutionary
blast was sounded from the trumpet of our vene
rabIe feiIOw-citizcn, Jacob Gideon, Sen. who bad
oiiiclated during the Revolutionary war as trum.
peter to the commander. in chief, and had acted IN
that capacity at the surrender of York Town.
Inc regular toas's were prepared with grea'
Judgment, were digniied and appropriate, Will,
the volunteers were marked with pungency and
with Indignation aud contempt towards the Exc.
cutive and his associates. The company finally
separated about sunset. without single crcum.
stance having occurred to mar the pleasures Of
the day.
A pleasing incident Of the day, was the arrissl
OF Capt. Bradley's troop Of Cavalry, while the
procession was marching towards the MANSON
House" This finely mounted corps, which pre-
sented martial appearance, had visited AIexan'
drla, to participate with our neighbors Of that
City, IN the ceremonies of breaking ground fO'
their lateral canal, and returned just IN time to
escort the civic procession, and to crafty the com
pany by their presence. The company, numer.
Gus as 1t was, would have been even larger, bu:
for severe shower Of rain which commenced